This unique book works as a complete course in acrylic painting, built up from key techniques. As you progress through the sections of the book, the author demonstrates each technique with the creation of a mini painting, measuring 5-inch (12¾-centimetre) square. So by the time you have worked right through to the end, you will have an amazing collection of 50 mini paintings, on board, or paper, or canvas, that will be a testament to your skill and creativity.
The subject matter for the squares varies from abstracts and simple colour mixing exercises, through to figurative subjects: a flower, a sunset, a busy street scene – and much more. These can be mounted, exhibited, or simply collected in a portfolio, or given away as gifts for friends to cherish.
The book is ideal for anyone coming to acrylics for the first time, or keen to improve their skills, and who is sometimes daunted by the thought of filling a large empty canvas or blank piece of board. Instead, it will free painters from creative hang-ups, and replace them with an addictive desire to create that next 5-inch square!
This title was previously published in 2015 as Little Ways to Learn Acrylics.
Table of Contents:
Welcome 6
Project gallery 8
Chapter 1: Introduction to materials and techniques 12
Chapter 2: Getting to know acrylics 34
Chapter 3: Beyond the basics 72
Chapter 4: Rendering surface and form 104
Glossary 140
Index 142
Credits 144
About the Author :
Mark Daniel Nelson studied classical sculpture and drawing at the prestigious La Scuola Classical Sculpture School and holds a degree in Visual Communications from the Colorado Institute of Art. He has taught courses in Human Anatomy, Art History, and Oil Painting at the Art Students League of Denver and at the Curtis Arts and Humanities Center. His work can be found in numerous public and private collections around the US.
Review :
August 2017
Previously published in 2015 as Little Ways to Learn Acrylics, and complementing Wil Freeborn's Learn to Paint in Watercolour with 50 Small Paintings comes Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 Small Paintings by Mark Daniel Nelson. This super book offers a complete course in acrylic painting. Progressing through the book, each technique covered is illustrated by mini painitng- no more than 5in. square - which you are encouraged to copy so that by the end of the course, you also have 50 mini paintings to show for it. Subjects range from simple colour mixing exercises to flowers, street scenes, still lives and extracts.
A unique course in acrylic painting. Anyone stuck with what to paint, how to paint or struggling with techniques, will find this book useful. Develop your skills and create on paper, board or canvas. Simple exercises help you grasp everything from colour mixing to subjects. Never be daunted by a blank canvas again. The book claims you can improve existing skills or start from scratch. Mostly flat areas of colour are applied, but the book also looks at contour. The only project I really like is Rooster but if it gets you painting, it is worthwhile, and with 50 choices, you will probably find projects you like.
