Acrylic Figure Painting For Beginners: A Card Deck Guide

Unlock Your Creative Potential with George’s 52-Card Acrylic Figure Painting Digital Deck

 

Hello and Namaste,

I’m George Watts, a yoga teaching artist.

I designed this Acrylic Figure Painting for Beginners Card Deck specifically for beginners who want to dive into the world of figure painting. After years of combining yoga and art in my practice, I realised that painting—much like yoga—can be both a meditative and joyful experience.

I created this deck to simplify the process, offering easy-to-follow techniques and tips that make figure painting feel accessible and fun.

Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or looking to improve your skills, these cards are here to guide and inspire your creative journey!

What’s Inside?

 

With the 52-Card Acrylic Figure Painting Deck, you can learn and practice at your own pace. Choose a card based on what you want to work on, and then scan the QR code for in-depth information on each technique through detailed blog posts.

Card Layout 

 

Each card comes loaded with these handy features:

• A quick rundown of what you’ll learn (because who has time for long intros?)
• A QR code for deeper dives into each technique (scan it, don’t stress it)
• A URL link for more info, just in case you’re feeling old school
• Numbered 1 to 52—because we all need a sense of progress
• Colour-coded categories: because let’s be honest, artists LOVE colour
• A famous artist quote to give your creative mojo a little nudge
• A splash of acrylic paint… because it just looks cool!

The 6 Card Categories And 52 Cards In The Deck

 

The deck is broken down into six categories, helping you progress step-by-step and focus on different aspects of figure painting:

 

Category 1: The Basics (Cards 1-10)

 

This category will cover the fundamentals of figure drawing with acrylics for those just starting out.

Card 1: Choosing the Right Acrylics
Explore the different types of acrylic paints and their uses in figure drawing.

Card 2: Brushes and Tools
The best brushes and tools for figure painting and how to use them.

Card 3: Preparing Your Canvas
How to prime your canvas and create a good base for figure work.

Card 4: Sketching Your Figure
Simple methods to sketch a figure on canvas before painting.

Card 5: Understanding Proportions
Tips for getting human proportions right in your acrylic figure work.

Card 6: Blocking in Shapes
How to use basic shapes to outline your figure before diving into details.

Card 7: Mixing Skin Tones
A guide to mixing a variety of realistic skin tones using acrylics.

Card 8: Basic Colour Theory
The essentials of colour theory and how it applies to figure drawing.

Card 9: Light and Shadow Basics
The role of light and shadow in figure painting and how to start using them.

Card 10: Creating Depth
Techniques for creating depth in your figures using layering.

Category 2: Techniques (Cards 11-20)

 

These cards focus on specific techniques that can enhance your acrylic figure drawing.

Card 11: Layering for Realism
Step-by-step guide to using layers in acrylics for realistic figures.

Card 12: Dry Brush Technique
Using the dry brush technique to add texture and depth.

Card 13: Glazing for Smooth Skin
How to use glazing to create smooth transitions in skin tones.

Card 14: Blending Acrylics
Mastering the art of blending acrylics before they dry.

Card 15: Working with a Palette Knife
Adding dimension and texture with a palette knife in figure painting.

Card 16: Wet-on-Wet Acrylic Techniques
How to use wet-on-wet techniques for softer effects.

Card 17: Creating Contrast
Using contrast to make your figure pop from the background.

Card 18: Underpainting
Why and how to use underpainting to enhance your figure’s structure.

Card 19: Capturing Movement
Techniques for showing movement and energy in your figures.

Card 20: Acrylic Washes
Using diluted acrylics for a wash effect in figure painting.

Category 3: Anatomy (Cards 21-30)

 

Dive deeper into the anatomy of the human figure.

Card 21: Drawing Faces
A beginner’s guide to facial proportions and features.

Card 22: The Proportions of the Human Body
How to measure and maintain the correct proportions.

Card 23: Hands and Feet
Techniques for mastering the most challenging parts of the figure: hands and feet.

Card 24: Drawing the Torso
Understanding the structure of the torso and how to capture it in acrylic.

Card 25: Capturing the Spine
The importance of the spine in figure drawing and how to represent it.

Card 26: Drawing Limbs
The structure of arms and legs, and how to make them look natural.

Card 27: Muscle Structure
Simplifying muscle groups to create realistic figures without overwhelming detail.

Card 28: Head-to-Body Ratios
Understanding head-to-body ratios for figures in different poses.

Card 29: Capturing the Skeleton
Why understanding basic bone structure will improve your figures.

Card 30: Figures in Different Poses
How to break down different poses using basic anatomy.

Category 4: Expression (Cards 31-40)

 

Learn how to add life and emotion to your figures.

Card 31: Drawing Emotion Through Eyes
How to make the eyes the focal point of expression in figure painting.

Card 32: Capturing Expressions with Mouths
Different mouth shapes and how they convey emotion.

Card 33: Body Language
Using body posture and gesture to communicate emotion.

Card 34: Painting Dynamic Figures
How to add life and energy to still figures.

Card 35: Drawing Characters
How to inject personality into your figures to make them unique.

Card 36: Capturing Different Moods
How to use colour and light to convey mood in your figures.

Card 37: The Role of Hair in Expression
Using hair movement and flow to enhance emotion and dynamism.

Card 38: Gesture Drawing
Quick studies to capture the energy of your figure.

Card 39: Using Negative Space for Expression
How to make your figures stand out by manipulating the space around them.

Card 40: Conveying Emotion Through Colour
How to choose the right colours to evoke emotion in your figure painting.

Category 5: Composition (Cards 41-46)

 

These cards focus on setting your figures in their environment and creating balanced compositions.

Card 41: Placing Your Figure on Canvas
Tips for positioning your figure to create a balanced composition.

Card 42: Creating a Background
How to complement your figure with an interesting background.

Card 43: Using Perspective
Basic perspective techniques to give your figures depth and context.

Card 44: Creating Harmony Between Figure and Background
How to ensure your figure works with, not against, the background.

Card 45: Framing Your Figure
Techniques for leading the viewer’s eye towards the focal point: your figure.

Card 46: Balance and Symmetry in Composition
How to create balance and symmetry (or purposeful asymmetry) in your paintings.

Category 6: Advanced Tips (Cards 47-52)

 

For those who want to take their figure painting skills to the next level.

Card 47: Working with Light and Shadow in Complex Scenes
Mastering complex lighting setups for dramatic effect.

Card 48: Using Mixed Media with Acrylics
How to combine acrylics with other media to add texture and depth.

Card 49: Painting from Imagination
How to develop the skill of painting figures without references.

Card 50: Creating Complex Clothing and Fabric
Techniques for painting drapery and clothing on your figures.

Card 51: Painting Groups of Figures
How to create cohesive compositions with multiple figures.

Card 52: Finishing Touches and Varnishing
How to properly finish and varnish your acrylic figure painting to protect and enhance it.

That’s all 52 of the cards! 

Why Choose This Deck?

Reason 1.
Handcrafted by an Artist with ADHD

Created by a yoga-loving artist who can’t sit still—so you know the cards and resources are packed with creative energy and fun techniques!

Reason 2.
Have Your Back

Perfect for everyone from the doodler to the serious painter. Whether you’re painting during a coffee break or spending all day in your studio, these cards have your back.

Reason 3.
Interactive Layout

The cards are designed with simplicity in mind, offering step-by-step instructions and an interactive component through QR codes, making learning more dynamic and engaging.

Reason 4.
Look Like a Painting Pro

Follow the techniques on these cards, and you’ll be dropping terms like “impasto” and “sfumato” in no time—people will think you’re a painting genius!

Reason 5.
Artists’ Secret Weapon

Use them for your personal practice or to impress your art-loving friends with your newfound figure painting skills. Bonus: They make you look way more organised than you actually are.

Reason 6.
Print It Your Way

Print them in any size—A4, A5, or A6—because, let’s be real, your artistic vision should never be limited by paper size.

Reason 7.
Art Supplies You Didn’t Know You Needed

Brush techniques, colour mixing, anatomy tips—it’s like an art store in a card deck. All that’s missing is the smell of fresh paint.

Reason 8.
Art on Your Time

Got five minutes? Got five hours? These cards are flexible enough to fit your schedule, whether you’re squeezing in a quick sketch or diving deep into your next masterpiece.

Reason 9.
Splash Your Canvas with Confidence

No more fear of blank canvases! These cards help you jump right in, whether you’re tackling a tricky pose or just trying to paint hands that don’t look like oven mitts.

Reason 10.
Art Anywhere, Anytime

Available in PDF, JPG, and PNG formats, so you can take your art lessons on the go—whether you’re at home, in the studio, or sneaking in a sketch at a café.

Reason 11.
Less Screen Time, More Paint Time

Say goodbye to endless YouTube tutorials and hello to hands-on practice. These cards get you off the screen and into the creative zone!

Digital Download

 

Once you purchase the deck, you’ll get an instant download link, giving you immediate access to all 52 cards. Save them to your device and refer to them whenever you need. You can even print them out if you prefer to have physical copies in your studio.

Here’s what you’ll get:

A VIP link to download the 52 cards in JPG format. 

Another link for the 52 cards in PNG format. 

A high-quality PDF of all 52 cards, for those who prefer their yoga in paper form (and to view on a device).

Printing

 

You can print the cards from your printer at home or send them to a local or online printer to print (you’ll only need to print 16 pages).

Terms Of Use

These files are for your personal use only. No selling, no reselling, and definitely no handing them out like it’s Artist Christmas! Keep that good karma flowing. If your friend starts drooling over your amazing acrylic figure paintings, point them in the right direction and tell them to grab their own deck here. Sharing is caring, but this time, caring is sending them the link!

George Watts

Artist + Yoga Teacher
mailATgeorgewatts.org