The glass palette is very easy to clean. All you have to do is to scrape the dry paint off the palette with a razor. You can also use a wet cloth to clear it. When getting palettes, you can also get palette knives for mixing your paint. You can also use palette knives to spread the paint on your canvas painting.
Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas for Your Art Journal Using Stencils
What about some acrylic painting ideas for beginners?
We never stop learning with acrylic paint, especially because it’s a great medium to experiment with.
That’s why I want to share these simple acrylic painting ideas that you can use in your art journal.
I’ve learned these techniques by experimenting a lot and of course, having so much fun. If you’re not having fun…why do it anyway?
Acrylic painting ideas with stencils
Stencils are pretty awesome, right? They are versatile, easy to use (although not easy to clean, and I hate cleaning them, but what can you do), and offer endless possibilities to make amazing designs.
Also, I want to encourage you to experiment on your own. I promise you’ll love what you learn, and you’ll enjoy every second of it.
I tried to make these as simple as I could so you can easily follow the process and not be overwhelmed by art supplies or many steps.
So, here are some of the ideas I’ve prepared for this post, I hope you’ll find them fun and useful.
1. Acrylic paint + stencil + sponge
A sponge is a great tool to use with acrylic paint. Besides paintbrushes, I think the sponge-acrylic relationship is natural. Like when you combine fish and chips, or cookies and milk. They just go well together.
I think it’s because the sponge has the ability to soak up the acrylic paint and use all the paint it’s soaked. When I start dabbing the paint with a sponge, the paint just goes on and on. It’s like a never-ending source of acrylic paint coming from the sponge.
So, how to do this? Easy-peasy. School-level stenciling, but still so fun.
Just place your stencil where you want it, maybe secure it with some paper clips. Put acrylic paint in the middle of the stencil and start dabbing it with a sponge.
I also did another one in yellow and it bled a little on the side. If this happens, don’t freak out. When you think about it, does it really matter? No.
FUN TIP: When you’re done, clean the stencil in a quick-witted way. Take a piece of paper or open another art journal page, put the used stencil onto the paper, and clean it with a wet cloth by pushing the paint inside the stencil. This way, you’ll get another stencil design by using leftover paint.
2. Use a stencil brush
A stencil brush can also be a great tool for this purpose. It’s a bit different from the sponge, but it also creates a bit of texture.
Just place the stencil down and apply acrylic paint with the brush by dabbing. I love this dabbing technique and I use it a lot.
You can make this more fun if you mix two or three colors and apply them at the same time with one stencil. I thought of this after I already did the flower, but you experiment with it. Get messy!
3. Acrylic painting idea using a palette knife
I think this is my favorite tool to apply acrylic paint with a stencil.
In this example, I used my own DIY human figure stencil template that I can use for different projects in my art journals.
I’d love to share the stencil template with you, so if you want to try it, here it is below.
BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY & MAKE YOUR PAGES UNIQUELY INTERESTING
Let’s make creativity your superpower so you don have to wonder how to get new ideas, or how to make your pages super cool. Get these bad boys below and let’s make some badass art.
How to use a palette knife to make these gorgeous shapes?
Place the stencil on the page and secure it with paper clips. You’ll need the clips because the stencils tend to move, especially if you work them with a palette knife. They become restless, so to say.
Put three or four different paints inside the stencil frame and let the party begin.
After that, use a palette knife and slowly work the paint around. Try to enjoy watching how the colors interact, how the paint flows under the palette knife, and be careful to work slowly so you don’t move the stencil or accidentally put a lot of paint so it bleeds.
I looove this process because it’s meditative and relaxing, and on top of it all: you never know how it’ll turn out. That’s what makes it so fun.
Isn’t it amazing?! It looks like acrylic paint flows on the page. I also think that the reason why it looks so good is because of the stencil. The stencil has a lot of space to move the paint around, so this effect works best with these kinds of stencils.
4. Layering with stencils and acrylic paint
When layering with paint, just be careful to leave the first layer to dry before you add the second one.
Remember that flower in the photo above? I used it as a crown or hair for my next human on that page.
I layered the stencil so the flower fits right above the head.
Next, I applied acrylic paint with the palette knife again. Here’s the result.
I’m loving these girls, humans, figures, whatever you call them. They remind me of African women in colorful tribal outfits.
TIP: If you want to try this technique, just be sure to leave the paint to dry for longer than usual. Using a palette knife leaves a thick layer of paint so it needs more drying time.
5. Stamping with acrylic paint + stencils
Again, I used my DIY stencil, a stamp, black acrylic paint, and a brayer.
If you don’t have a brayer, you could use a brush or a sponge to apply the paint on the stamp, but do it very lightly. Even more lightly than you’re thinking now.
I placed the stencil where I wanted it, put some acrylic paint on the stamp, and just stamped through the stencil.
After lifting the stencil, my figure wasn’t really clear, so I used a waterproof pen and just sketched the figure around the stamped image. Also, I added simple facial features and some crazy-looking hair.
Finally, I painted the whole background with black acrylic paint. Do you love the simplicity of the page?
I think I’ll write something on the black background with my white Posca pen when the paint is completely dry and when I feel inspired to add words.
6. Acrylic paint + stencil + brayer
This can get messy but bring it on. I’ve never heard of neat and tidy art. Have you?
For this, I used my flower stencil and two colors of paint.
Again, secure the stencil with clips so it doesn’t go wild, put some paint on the stencil and brayer all over it. Brayer the hell out of it (laughs).
The paint will be stubborn at the beginning and won’t go into the stencil right away, but just work it around and add some more paint if necessary.
Didn’t I tell you it would be messy? However, you can use this technique for a messy or loose look, even a grungy look if you use darker colors.
What about using the technique on black paper or black acrylic backgrounds? Try it. Experiment whenever you get the chance, use one color or mix three or more. The possibilities are endless.
7. Acrylic painting idea with a stencil and a wet cloth
Here’s an abstract acrylic painting idea.
For this technique, you can use one or two layers of paint. I used only one layer for this tutorial.
The point is to use the stencil and a wet cloth to lift some paint and leave a mark.
Here’s the process:
Paint the background with acrylic paint.
While the paint is still wet, put a stencil on the page, and using a wet cloth, lift up the paint through the stencil.
The bottom layer will appear through the stencil design, or if you chose just one layer, you’ll see the white paper underneath.
If you want to use two layers, wait for the first layer to dry, then paint the second layer and while this is wet, lift the paint with the cloth.
TIP: You can also use baby wipes for this technique, although I try to reduce them to a minimum because it’s a lot of waste. However, if you decide to use baby wipes, don’t throw them away. Let them dry, and later you can use them in mixed media projects, cut them and glue them on your pages.
Final thoughts on these simple acrylic paintings
I hope you’ve been inspired by these easy acrylic painting ideas. I tried to make them as simple as possible but still, give you enough value so that you can continue creating and experimenting with this medium.
Experimenting is the key when it comes to art journaling. The more you try out things and ideas, the more you’ll learn and become more confident in using different art supplies and media.
Acrylic paint is a great way to start experimenting and coming up with your own ideas. Don’t be afraid to use it and play with it.
BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY & MAKE YOUR PAGES UNIQUELY INTERESTING
Let’s make creativity your superpower so you don have to wonder how to get new ideas, or how to make your pages super cool. Get these bad boys below and let’s make some badass art.
What is A Painting Idea?
A painting idea can be seen as the theme of the painting. The theme or painting idea is often broad and deep. The painting idea often conveys something universal. There are several painting ideas you can choose from when you want to express yourself.
You can choose an idea based on what you’re feeling, what you want to express, your current painting skills, your mood, and more. When it comes to easy acrylic painting ideas, there’s never a right or wrong. It all boils down to what you want to express and create.
Now that you know what painting ideas are all about let’s look at some that will strike your fancy and leave you reaching for your paintbrush.
What Are Some Easy Painting Ideas?
1. Pinwheel Painting
Your blank canvas will look great after you’re done. You can create your pinwheel acrylic painting from scratch within no time. You can easily make the triangular sections first and then paint them with the colors you like.
2. Flower Painting
Starting us off is this acrylic painting idea that is super easy to start with. We’ve put this as the first idea because it’s very easy. You can think of it as color-painting similar to what you did as a child. These acrylic painting ideas make for great art that fits with the modern decor of your house.
There’s no denying that flowers are beautiful and irresistible. Transforming your blank canvas into a beautiful painting of a flower can make you feel so good. You can paint flowers as a form of fun painting which can be therapeutic and allow you to express your creativity.
Roses, lilies, and more are a great idea. You can also paint any other type of flower. These easy painting ideas are so much fun to execute. You have creative control to paint your flower how you see fit. If you want your acrylic painting to pop even further, you can add more details such as leaves, stems, and more.
3. Abstract Art
This easy canvas painting idea is great if you have a lot of creativity to express without being confined to the traditional shapes and colors. With these easy acrylic painting ideas, you get to express yourself completely in a language that only you understand.
You get to use shapes, colors, forms, and other gestural marks to express what you want. Abstract art is one of the best and purest forms of expression when it comes to canvas painting. This form of acrylic painting allows you to be free as you express your heart and soul onto your canvas painting idea.
4. Splatter Painting
Image Source: broogly.com
Wanna have some fun as you paint? These acrylic painting ideas allow you to have fun and have a laugh while you paint. Just like our acrylic painting idea above, this painting idea has no rules. You get to choose your basic supplies, large canvas and get started.
You can combine colors before or after you start painting. As an artist, freedom of expression is very important, especially when you are creating artwork. You can use bright colors to create a piece of art or a great project that you can hang in your living room.
Many beginners can opt to start with these easy paintings. You can watch the video tutorial below to get more information on how to go about these easy painting ideas for beginners.
5. Colorful Landscape Painting
This is another one that beginner artists will love. A colorful landscape can brighten your living room after you’re done. This easy canvas painting idea allows you to have fun and express your creativity as you build your skills.
A landscape can vary from a simple one with clouds, grass, and the sky to complex ones with trees, weather conditions, and more. Therefore, these easy acrylic painting ideas can be done by beginners and skilled painters as well.
These easy acrylic painting ideas are great and easy to paint, especially with a palette knife handy. This will allow you to add more spark to the monotonous landscape.
6. Stary Night Sky Painting
Image Source: deesfineart.com
There’s something magical about the night sky full of stars. Since the days of our ancestors, the appeal of painting a beautiful night sky has never left us. Especially if you decide to do a live acrylic painting, you’ll have a jolly ol time bringing this easy canvas painting to life.
This acrylic painting idea can be executed in different ways. For example, you can use it to create something special based on your personal expression.
7. Mountain Landscape
Image Source: samuelearp.com
Here’s another easy canvas painting idea for nature lovers. You will have a blast going down memory lane of the nice memories you have of the mountainside as you paint this landscape. Ensure that you picture the image of what you want to paint very well in your mind before you get started.
You don’t have to be perfect when creating your canvas painting. Just have fun and with this easy canvas painting idea.
Acrylic Pour Painting
This easy canvas painting idea is fun, simple, and very satisfying. You can execute this easy canvas painting idea any time without needing much concentration. This wonderful idea is one of the easiest in the acrylics world and is suitable for beginners.
This easy painting idea requires you to do some mixing. While bringing this easy canvas painting idea to life, you’ll need an acrylic pouring medium along with your paint.
9. Oceanside Painting
Are you a lover of the water? Then, this easy canvas painting idea is one that you’ll love. You can watch painting tutorials for this easy painting idea, but it has to come from the heart. So don’t worry if your painting doesn’t look exactly as you’d expected.
Your skills will get better with time. This easy acrylic painting idea allows you to do a live painting or paint from your imagination. You can paint the water, the boats, the sky, a nice sunset on the ocean, and more. Let us know how your experience is.
You can also opt to paint the beach if you’d like.
10. Geometrical Designs
Finishing off our list is one of the best painting ideas for beginners that you’ll love especially if you are a fan of shapes. Without drawing skills, you can create this painting that will bring tears to people’s eyes as they feel your expression.
These easy painting ideas for beginners allow you to be creative instead of having to recreate scenery you’ve seen. You can play around with the shapes in these easy painting ideas to create what you want. Watch this simple tutorial to learn more about how to go about it.
