Choosing the Right Acrylics For Figure Painting

Choosing the Right Acrylics – Start Your Figure Painting Journey

Card 1 of 52: Acrylic Figure Painting For Beginners

Card 1 of 52: Choosing the Right Acrylics
Card Deck: Acrylic Figure Painting For Beginners

Below is the step-by-step guide for card 1 of the Acrylic Figure Painting For Beginners: A Card Deck Guide.

Choosing the right acrylics for figure painting, which is your first step of your figure painting adventure!

Before we dive into the world of brushstrokes, layers, and human anatomy, let’s talk about the foundation of every painting: the paint itself.

In this post, we’ll cover how to choose the best acrylics for figure painting, so you’re well-equipped for success.

Acrylic Paint 101: What You Need to Know Before Staring At A Blank Canvas

Acrylics are loved by artists for their versatility, quick-drying nature, and ability to mimic both watercolour and oil effects. But before you grab just any tube off the shelf, let’s break down the essentials.

1. Student Grade vs. Artist Grade

You’ve probably seen two main categories: student grade and artist grade.

• Student Grade: These are more affordable and perfect if you’re just getting started or experimenting with new techniques. They contain less pigment, so the colors may not be as vibrant, but they’re budget-friendly.
• Artist Grade: These are a step up, offering more pigmentation and higher quality. They give you richer, more vibrant colors and smoother application—ideal if you’re serious about improving your figure painting skills.

You should be able to find these paints by searching on Amazon or checking your local art supply stores.

Student Grade Acrylics:

1. Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paints
   • Widely recognized for its affordability and quality for beginner or student use.
   • Available in various sets (e.g., 10-tube sets) with good pigmentation.
   • Search for “Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint Set“ on Amazon UK.
2. Daler-Rowney System 3 Acrylic Paints
   • Another popular brand for student-grade acrylics, known for decent color quality and value.
   • Search for “Daler-Rowney System 3 Acrylic Paint Set“ on Amazon UK.
3. Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paints
   • Good quality student-grade paint that is often recommended for those starting out.
   • Search for “Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint Set“ on Amazon UK.

Artist Grade Acrylics:

1. Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Paints
   • High-quality, professional-grade acrylic paints known for their rich pigment and smooth application.
   • Search for “Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Paint Set“ on Amazon UK.
2. Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylic Paints
   • Another artist-grade option with thick consistency and vibrant colors.
   • Search for “Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylic Paint“ on Amazon UK.
3. Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylics
   • For professionals or more advanced artists who want high pigment density and excellent performance.
   • Search for “Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic Paints“ on Amazon UK.

Tip: If you’re just beginning, start with a few artist-grade tubes in key colors (like primary hues) and mix them with student-grade paints to stretch your budget while maintaining quality.

2. The Power of Pigmentation

When painting figures, the richness of skin tones and the subtleties of shading make a big difference. Artist-grade acrylics are packed with more pigment, which means:

• Better coverage: You’ll use less paint to cover a larger area.
• Vibrant colors: Great for making your figures stand out.
• Blendability: Mixing colors will be smoother and more predictable, crucial for capturing realistic skin tones.

3. Choosing Your Palette

Acrylics come in a wide variety of colors, but you don’t need 50 different shades to start painting figures. Start with a limited palette of essential colors, and mix your own shades.

Here’s a basic palette to get started:

• Titanium White: A must-have for lightening colors and creating highlights.
• Burnt Sienna: Perfect for warmer skin tones and earthier colors.
• Ultramarine Blue: Essential for creating depth and cool tones.
• Cadmium Red: Adds warmth and vibrancy to your figures.
• Yellow Ochre: Great for mixing with other colors for natural skin tones.
• Mars Black: Handy for shadows and depth, but use sparingly.

This range of colors will allow you to mix almost any tone you need, especially for skin and clothing in your figure paintings.

4. Consistency: Heavy Body vs. Fluid Acrylics

Acrylics come in various consistencies. For figure painting, the two most popular types are:

• Heavy Body Acrylics: These are thicker and hold their shape well, making them perfect for textured painting and bold brushstrokes.
• Fluid Acrylics: These have a thinner consistency and are great for washes, blending, and fine details.

For figure painting, I recommend starting with heavy body acrylics because they’re easier to control, especially when creating distinct forms and details in your figures.

Fluid acrylics are ideal when you want smooth, flowing coverage or need to achieve fine details in your painting. They’re great for techniques like glazing, pouring, or creating intricate lines and patterns. If you’re working on blending, soft transitions, or layering thin washes of color, fluid acrylics allow for greater control without the thickness of heavy-body paint. They’re perfect for figure painting where subtle shifts in tone or delicate shading are needed to capture the nuances of the human form.

5. Acrylic Mediums: To Use or Not to Use?

Acrylic mediums can enhance your paints and give you more control. There are a few mediums that are particularly useful for figure painting:

• Matte Medium: For a smooth, even finish. Search for: “Acrylic Matte Medium for painting“.
• Gloss Medium: Adds a bit of shine and works well for dynamic, reflective surfaces. Search for: “Acrylic Gloss Medium for painting“.
• Retarder: Slows down drying time, giving you more flexibility to blend colors—especially useful for skin tones. Search for: “Acrylic Paint Retarder medium“. 

These terms should bring up a variety of brands, including popular ones like Winsor & Newton, Liquitex, and Golden.

Tip: If you’re painting a portrait or figure with complex skin shading, a retarder will give you the time you need to blend the paint properly.

George’s Conclusion: The Essentials of Choosing Acrylics

Your choice of acrylics plays a big role in how your figure painting turns out. While student-grade paints are budget-friendly, investing in a few key artist-grade colors can make all the difference. Pay attention to consistency and use mediums to add versatility to your paintings.

Now that you’re armed with the right knowledge about acrylics, you’re ready to start your figure painting journey! Grab your paints and let the creative process begin.

In this acrylic painting of a serene yogi practicing in a field with cows I used Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint Set and a large tube (250 ml) of cheap Ocaldo Flow Formula Acrylic which I bought from The Works (an art supply store in the UK).