How to Use Acrylic Paint like Watercolor

When I first started experimenting with acrylic paints, I never imagined they could mimic the soft, ethereal quality of watercolors.

Acrylics, with their quick-drying, opaque nature, seemed like the polar opposite of the transparent, flowing beauty of watercolor.

But the more I explored, the more I realized that with a little creativity and technique, you can absolutely use acrylic paints to achieve a watercolor effect.

Over time, I’ve come to love this technique because it expands the versatility of acrylics and allows me to play with their characteristics in new and exciting ways.

If you’ve got some acrylics sitting in your art kit and have always wanted to try a watercolor style, you’re in the right place!

I’m sharing a complete guide on how to use acrylic paint like watercolor, including tips, techniques, and everything you need to make your artwork sing.

Why Use Acrylic Paint Like Watercolor?

Before we get into the mechanics, you might be wondering, “Why not just use watercolors if you want that look?” It’s a great question, and there are a few reasons why you might want to explore this technique:

1. Durability: Acrylics dry to a water-resistant finish, unlike traditional watercolors, which can smudge or reactivate when wet. This means your work will have more permanence.
2. Vibrancy: Acrylic paints are highly pigmented, so the colors can appear richer and more intense, even when diluted.
3. Versatility: If you already have acrylics on hand, you can experiment with their adaptability without investing in an entirely new set of supplies.
4. Surface Options: Acrylics can be used on a wider range of surfaces, including canvas, wood panels, and even plastic.

Now that we know the benefits, let’s get down to how you can achieve that dreamy watercolor effect with your acrylics.

Supplies You’ll Need

Here’s what I typically use when painting with acrylics in a watercolor style. You don’t need to have all of these, but having the basics will set you up for success.

• Acrylic Paints: You can use any brand, but I recommend soft-body or fluid acrylics. They’re naturally thinner and closer to the consistency of watercolor, so they’ll dilute more easily.
• Water: Obvious, but essential. You’ll need plenty of it to thin your acrylics.
• Synthetic Brushes: Go for softer, synthetic brushes like round or flat watercolor brushes. They hold a good amount of water and allow for fluid strokes.
• Palette or Mixing Tray: For diluting your paints, any flat surface or mixing tray will do.
• Paper: Watercolor paper, specifically 140lb (300 GSM), works best since it can handle a lot of water without warping. Alternatively, you can use canvas boards designed for mixed media.
• Spray Bottle: I use this to keep my acrylics from drying too quickly and for creating texture effects.
• Rag or Paper Towels: For blotting and controlling the moisture on your brush.

Step-by-Step Guide for Using Acrylic Paint As a Watercolor

Now, onto the fun part—creating your masterpiece. I’ll walk you through the steps I take to use acrylic paint like watercolor.

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace

Before you even dip your brush into paint, set up your workspace. Make sure you have plenty of room to work and something to protect your table (I use an old drop cloth). Keep a jar of clean water, your palette, and all your tools within arm’s reach.

Step 2: Thin the Paint

One of the key differences between acrylics and watercolors is that acrylic paint is much thicker when it comes out of the tube. To mimic watercolor, you need to thin the paint with water. I like to start with a ratio of 1 part acrylic paint to 3 parts water, but you can adjust this depending on how transparent you want the color to be.

To thin your paint, squeeze a small amount onto your palette and add water incrementally. Mix well with your brush or a palette knife until you achieve a watery consistency.

Step 3: Test the Transparency

Before painting on your actual surface, test your diluted acrylic on a scrap piece of paper. This helps you see how the paint flows and how much pigment will transfer. Adjust with more water or paint until you’re happy with the transparency.

Step 4: Lay Down Your First Wash

Watercolor-style painting often starts with a light wash. Using a large brush, apply a base layer of color to your paper. This is where you can decide if you want to cover the entire surface or leave some areas white for highlights.

The key here is to work quickly while the paint is wet. Acrylics dry much faster than watercolors, so keep your brush moving and stay light-handed.

Step 5: Build Layers

One of my favorite aspects of this technique is building up layers, which adds depth and texture to your artwork. Allow the first layer to dry completely (remember, acrylics dry fast!) before adding another wash. You can use wet-on-dry techniques for crisp edges or wet-on-wet methods for dreamy blends.

When layering, remember to use increasingly smaller amounts of water to create more intense or defined areas as you go.

Step 6: Blot and Lift

With watercolors, you can lift paint to create highlights or textures, and acrylics can be manipulated similarly. While the paint is still wet, I like to use a clean, damp brush or paper towel to blot areas where I want lighter highlights.

If the paint has dried, you can’t reactivate it like watercolor. However, you can add white paint or experiment with glazing mediums to create similar effects.

Step 7: Add Details

Once the main areas are complete and dry, it’s time to zoom in on the details. Use a fine-tipped brush and less water for sharper lines and accents. You can also add splatters (a fun technique with a loaded brush) or experiment with texture tools like sponges.

Step 8: Seal Your Work

Unlike watercolor, acrylic doesn’t require framing under glass for protection. Since acrylic dries permanently, your work is already durable. However, if you used paper as your base, sealing it with a clear, matte varnish can prevent any warping over time.

Tips for Success

Here are some extra tips from my trial-and-error experiments to help you master this technique.

1. Practice First: Before committing to a full painting, practice smaller studies to get comfortable with the consistency and flow of diluted acrylics.
2. Control Drying Time: Acrylic paint dries fast, which is both a blessing and a challenge. I use a spray bottle to keep layers wet when I’m working on blending.
3. Experiment with Surfaces: While watercolor paper is great, don’t be afraid to try different surfaces like primed canvases or wood panels for unique effects.
4. Use Additives If Needed: Some artists like to add flow mediums or glazing liquids to extend the drying time of acrylics and enhance their transparency. While I prefer water for simplicity, feel free to experiment!
5. Work Light to Dark: Like with watercolors, it’s easier to start with light tones and build darker, more intense colors on top.

Exploring Creative Effects

If you’re feeling adventurous, there are countless creative possibilities to explore using acrylics in a watercolor style.

For example, try creating gradient color washes, experimenting with negative space, or adding metallic or iridescent paints for a splash of glam.

Another favorite of mine is layering opaque acrylic details over watercolor-style washes. The contrast between the finely-diluted colors and vibrant, solid elements creates a striking effect.

Final Thoughts

Using acrylic paint like watercolor is a game changer if you’re looking to expand your creative skills. Whether you’re a watercolor lover curious about acrylics or an acrylic enthusiast seeking a fresh approach, this technique offers the best of both worlds.

With a little practice, patience, and a willingness to experiment, you’ll soon discover that your acrylic paints can go beyond their usual boundaries.

I hope this guide helps you feel confident enough to start creating soft, flowing artwork with your acrylics. Trust me, once you see how versatile they are, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner!