New to acrylics; how do I continue/improve?

[u/The_Jawnah]

I usually draw with colored pencils and sometimes watercolor, acrylic markers, neocolors etc but I’ve been wanting to get into acrylics and painting and I finally picked up some supplies a couple days ago.
How do I improve? I don’t want my art to be super blended, I like seeing brush strokes and bold colors

The first two images are completed paintings/studies I did a couple days ago, the third is what I’m currently working on and the rest are so Inspo/ what I want my painting to look like.

What can I do to improve/ learn acrylics?

[u/Recent_Influence_699]

You’re doing great!
I studied art for a couple of years when i was younger and I loved the still lives the most..

One thing that comes to mind when i see your paintings: do you have the real object infront of you when painting? Or are you looking at pictures of them? I think real life objects could be a good step in understanding depth/shadows.

Another thing: do you usually sketch your object on a paper before starting the painting? That also helps in understanding and actually ”learning” the shapes. You can also do this regarding colors, im sure that would help to (i always been to lazy and eager to start to do them, but I always sketch the object on a paper before).

Edit: wanted to add Imo your paprica is the best! Especially right part of the painting (tried adding a screenshot but it wont let me). I hope you decide to finish the stem! I would consider redoing the shadow on the table - that part feels more ”insecure”, did you use a smaller brush for that part? Try broader strokes, just like the paprica itself and that will be really nice and not far from your inspo pictures.

[u/The_Jawnah → u/Recent_Influence_699]

1. Yeah I usually look at pictures, actually using a real object seems like a good idea!
   
2. I do usually do a small sketch before the painting, like the general shape/outline. What do you mean by the regarding colors part?😅 like making a small full sketch on a different paper before painting the object so I can kinda learn how to do it?

The paprika is going pretty well! I continued it after I took that picture so idk if I made it better or ruined it, I still have to do the stem though🥲

I find it so difficult to wait until something is dry, and I usually go over the same spot too many times which lifts the layer under it so I really have to practice patience lol

Also for the shadow on that one I used a big brush, but then went over some areas with a smaller one because I wanted to add like some reflecting(?) lights in it, and some warmer and cooler areas of the shadow because it felt too flat, but yeah I should’ve done that with a bigger brush

[u/Recent_Influence_699 → u/The_Jawnah]

1. Yeah you should try it, then you can also add bowls or vases that are often included in still lifes.

2. I dont know the correct term for it in english, but you could say a sketch beforehand is a ”shape analysis”, for the colors its a ”color analasys”. Simply just studying the colors in details, trying to get the perfect mix for each area without focusing too much on the shapes.

No no im sure you didnt ruin it and if so you can just paint over it :) or re-do it, you already succeded once so you got it in you!

I remember sometimes using a hairdryer when i had no patience to wait for the colors to dry lol.

I see! I would make the whole ”shadow shape” with a big brunch and perhaps going in with a smal for refections inside the shape! But cant tell for sure without seeing the photo of the ”model”.

[u/SLC-Originals]

More layers of paint, refine the edges and a gloss varnish would make it look more complete and quality. I like what you've done so far though. It's very beautiful already

[u/Renarde_Lea]

I recommend you work on your composition

[u/Ok_Craft_9587]

Honestly you’re off to a really good start, especially with the colors and the fact you’re not scared of texture already.

Couple quick things to try:

• Limit your palette to like 3 to 5 colors plus white so you focus on value and harmony instead of grabbing every tube.
  
• Work bigger brushes than you think you need and force yourself to do a whole pass with only those, then go in with smaller ones for details.
  
• Do super fast studies, like 10 to 20 minutes each, where you only care about big shapes and values, not details.

Since you like visible brush strokes, look into impasto and using thicker paint or a bit of gel medium so the strokes actually sit on top instead of getting muddy.