Textural Acrylic Painting
You will need:
Acrylic Paints.
If you are buying your first set, they do not have to be the most expensive, but make sure you have a large or extra tube of white. (Titanium, if there is a choice). You will use most of this colour, but they never seem to give you extra.
Brushes.
Don’t use your soft watercolour brushes. Brushes for acrylic painting are usually nylon, and stiffer than watercolour brushes, because the paint is thicker. You can use bristle brushes, but I personally think they are not as good. They don’t have to be expensive – they receive harder treatment and don’t last as long as watercolour brushes. Don't choose the smallest brushes, bigger would be better. I personally prefer flat brushes to round as they seem to lay the paint down easier.
Water Pot.
Palette.
If you use your plastic watercolour palette, bear in mind that you will probably never be able to clean it again, as the paint dries hard and quickly.
You can use anything – I often use old dinner plates, or even a piece of card. As discussed, a good alternative is the ‘Stay Wet’ palette. You can buy them, but it is very easy to make one. Use any shallow container with a sealing lid. It needs to be fairly roomy, to give space for mixing. A ferrero rocher chocolate box is popular! (for many reasons!)
Place a sheet or two of kitchen towel in the base and dampen it. Then place a piece of greaseproof/baking parchment on top, as the surface to mix your paints.
Painting support/surface.
You can get acrylic paper, which is ok but a bit thin. I like to paint on a firmer surface, such as a canvas board or wood panel, as that allows me to be more forceful with the paints. However you can paint on almost any surface. You could use mount board cut offs, or the board at the back of an old pad. To get a decent surface to work on, simply prepare it with a coat of gesso or white acrylic paint, or any household paint if you like. It just needs to be sealed and not too smooth.
Other Implements.
I will be using things other than brushes to apply and move the paint. I will bring a collection, but if you want to find your own, here are some ideas:
Palette knife. Old credit/store cards. Pieces of card (thick and thin). Old forks, combs etc. Sticks. Masking tape. Kitchen towel. Rags. Scrap paper for collaging. Spray.
Other materials.
I often use coloured pencils (not the best ones!) Woody pencils. Charcoal, etc. Again I will bring some, but if you have your own, bring them.