Painting techniques describe the materials and tools used to achieve specific artistic effects
Each method involves several key elements:
- Support surface — typically canvas, often primed beforehand
- Painting medium — pigments mixed with a binder
- Application tools — brushes, spatulas, or pencil holders
- Protective finish — such as varnish to preserve the final work
The diversity of techniques gives artists a wide range of expressive possibilities.
🖌️ Acrylic
Acrylic is a relatively young and versatile technique that can even substitute for oil painting. It offers a rich colour palette and varying degrees of opacity. Suitable surfaces include paper, canvas, or board, and the paint is diluted with water — no strong workshop smells like those associated with turpentine in oil painting.
To get started, you’ll need:
- A few tubes of acrylic paint
- Flat brushes
- A water container
- A palette and canvas
- And, of course, a subject to paint!
Acrylics dry quickly, allowing you to build up layers and complete your work efficiently. Just a few hours after painting, you can apply varnish and admire the result. All that’s left is to choose a frame!
💧 Watercolour
Watercolour painting has a poetic quality distinct from acrylics. Some consider it one of the most challenging techniques, as it demands precision and confidence — paper allows limited corrections, and early decisions shape the final clarity and freshness of the work.
Watercolour is ideal for capturing impressions during plain air sessions. You paint quickly and can create multiple pieces in a short time.
Recommended materials:
- Watercolour paints (tubes are best)
- High-quality watercolour paper
- A palette
- Brushes in various grades
Tip: Visit a specialised art store for expert advice on choosing the right paper — it can make or break your painting.
🌫️ Gouache
Gouache sits between watercolour and acrylic. Like both, it uses water as a solvent, but differs by incorporating white into colour mixes, resulting in bright tones and high opacity. Forget glazes — this technique is all about bold, matte finishes.
Use paper as your support, optionally primed with a thin layer of gesso. Varnishing isn’t required. Gouache offers great creative potential and is well worth exploring.
🛢️ Oil
Oil painting uses drying oils (typically linseed) as a binder. Paints are squeezed onto a palette, mixed, and diluted before application. Supports include canvas, wood, parchment, or occasionally paper.
Artists may work directly on the canvas or use the palette for mixing. Tools include brushes and spatulas, used to refine the image until the desired effect is achieved.
Oil painting allows for:
- Extensive corrections
- Rich, saturated colours
- Exceptional durability (with proper technique and storage)
Whether you prefer transparent glazes or the alla prima method, oil painting offers unmatched depth and nuance.
🧁Pastel
Pastel painting uses pigment sticks and is typically done on textured paper in carefully chosen colours. There are two main types: dry pastel and oil pastel.
Dry pastels require thorough fixing, but both offer a wide range of shades and expressive potential. Pastel is especially popular among beginners for its ease and vibrant results.
Interested in learning the basics of painting and drawing?
Bibliography for the content on this page:
- M. Rzepińska, Historia koloru w dziejach malarstwa europejskiego, Warszawa 2009.
- M. Rzepińska, W kręgu malarstwa, Wrocław-Warszawa-Kraków-Łódź, 1988.
- col. work, Techniki wielkich mistrzów malarstwa, Warszawa 1999, 2004, 2006. The original title is Technique of the Great Masters of Art, 1985, QED Publishing Limited.
- Słownik terminologiczny sztuk pięknych, Warszawa 2002.
- W. Ślesiński, Techniki malarskie. Spoiwa organiczne, Warszawa 1984.