- Glazing is a very old way of building up jewel-like colors and convincing atmospheric effects using thin layers of translucent applications of paint. Glazing creates a richness not available to opaque paint, because it allows the white of the ground or underpainting to shine through the translucent paint. Dilute some paint with water and, preferable, a little medium. Acrylic gloss medium works well for this and will add a sheen to the paint. You can apply the paint layer by layer, letting each layer dry, or put on slightly more opaque paint and rub it off with a rag.
- Pour paint directly onto the canvas to get an even dispersion of paint. Use either a preformulated fluid acrylic, or create your own by mixing tube paint with acrylic medium and water. Adjust for opacity and viscosity by adding more paint or medium as necessary. Place the canvas horizontally on a table or floor. Pour directly onto the canvas, and manipulate the paint by lifting up edges of the canvas to direct the flow. This will give you a more even coating than pushing it around with a brush, which can leave brush marks and lighter areas. Experiment with interesting fluid dynamics by pouring two or more colors onto different areas of the canvas and letting them flow into each other. You will see complicated swirls and whorls form that you could not duplicate with a brush.
- Dripping paint was around way before Jackson Pollock. Mix up some paint with medium or water. You can use an acrylic tar gel to give the paint a ropey quality. Punch some holes in a paint can, and drip the paint onto a painting lying flat. Dip the brush in the liquid paint and drip it or toss it onto the canvas. Pour directly out of a container in a steady stream to create longer strings of paint.
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