What Makes Acrylic Paint Ideal for Beginners?
by Juan Carlos Rosa Casasola, 2025
What Makes Acrylic Paint Ideal for Beginners?
If you’re starting to explore painting, whether as a creative hobby or as part of your art studies, you’ve probably asked yourself: Where should I begin? What should I buy? What’s the best medium to start with?
There are so many options: watercolor, ink, oil, pastels, charcoal, acrylics… Each technique has its own unique qualities. But we believe acrylic paint is one of the best mediums for beginners. Acrylic is accessible, versatile, and ideal for experimenting, so we can say it’s the perfect medium to help you build confidence while having fun along the way.
Why Acrylic Painting Is Perfect for Beginners
1. A Challenge and a Superpower: Fast Drying Time
Acrylic paint is well known because it dries quickly, and actually that can feel intimidating at first. But it’s also one of its greatest strengths.
The fast drying time means you can work in layers, make quick adjustments of color or shape, and create interesting textures without having to wait hours or days.
Pro tip: You can use a spray bottle with water to lightly mist the paint and keep it wet longer (very handy if you are painting outdoors), but I recommend to only squeeze out small amounts of paint onto your palette at a time.
2. Versatility: From Transparent Washes to Bold Texture
Acrylics adapt beautifully to different styles and techniques. You can use them to create solid color fields, soft gradients, or highly textured surfaces. They can be applied in thin, translucent washes or in thick, opaque layers, depending on your intention.
The final effect depends on how much water or medium you add, the type of brush you use (whether it’s wet or dry, thick or thin) and the surface you’re working on (absorbent or smooth).
Depending on how much water or medium you use, acrylics can behave like watercolors or mimic the consistency of oils. Additives like modeling paste or sand can create striking textures.
Fun fact: Acrylic techniques are commonly used in opera set design to imitate materials like concrete or marble, for example by layering washes of dripping color and alcohol. The results can be stunning, and surprisingly fun to make.
3. Go Beyond Primary Colors: Explore Neon, Metallics, and Custom Mixes
The range of acrylic colors available can far exceed your expectations. There is a wide variety of colors, including fluorescent, metallic, and iridescent pigments, such as gold, copper, and pearl tones. Personally, I think this helps expand your creative possibilities, but at the same time, it can be difficult to choose what to buy.
For beginners: Start with a basic set of primaries (white, yellow, cyan, magenta) and add one or two “special” colors to spice things up. Many artists prefer using a limited palette to create harmony in their work, often focusing on just a few chosen tones.
4. Durable and Easy to Clean
One of the perks of acrylic is that it’s water-based, which means you can clean your brushes and hands easily with regular soap and water. But: Once dry, acrylic is permanent, especially on fabric. Watch Your Clothes! Better wear a painting apron or an old shirt you don’t mind staining.
Sometimes, while painting, we get distracted and leave the brush directly on the table. If you can avoid it, don’t let the paint dry on the brush; simply dip it in water if you’re not going to use it immediately. But… don’t leave brushes in water for too long, as the wood will be damaged and the fibers will lose their shape. Simply rinse them well after use and leave them to dry horizontally or with the bristles facing upwards to keep them in good condition. Taking care of your brushes means they will last longer and you will enjoy using them more.
So, Why Acrylics Are Great for Learning How to Paint
Acrylics have something special for beginners because they invite you to play, explore, and experiment, which is exactly what you need when you’re learning. They’re affordable, easy to clean up, and you can create lots of different effects and textures with very little. Have fun!