Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Blend Acrylic Paints

Acrylic paints are ideal for blending because you have the option of using water to aid you. If the two colors you are blending are somewhat similar (blue and purple, red and orange, etc.) you won't need to use water to help you blend. However, if you are trying to blend two colors that are distant from each other on the color wheel, you may need to use a dab of clean water to help them blend together easier.


Instructions


Blend Acrylic Paints


1. Use a paintbrush to paint two solid blocks of color on a piece of paper, side by side. Before switching from one color to the next, thoroughly clean the paintbrush by repeatedly dunking it into a coffee mug filled with warm water. After the pigment has dissolved into the water, squeeze the bristles of the brush with a paper towel to ensure that all the previous color has been removed.


2. Empty the coffee mug, then add fresh water so that is clear once again, with no trace of the two colors. Use the clean paintbrush to gently stroke the line where the two colors meet. Use small, quick strokes to effectively blend the colors together, making your way down the entire line. The strokes need to all go in the same direction. Every five strokes or so, dip the paintbrush into the water and roll over the paper towel so that it absorbs most of the water from the brush.


3. Go over the line once more, this time using the same small, quick strokes, but in the opposite direction, using the same technique to periodically dampen the paintbrush. If any of the blending doesn't appear even and natural, dampen the paintbrush a little more and stroke until the color has blended smoothly.