Whether you’re learning abstract or figurative painting , it’s important to know how to create a gradient.
There are many ways to do it, but here’s a quick and easy technique that requires no special equipment.
What is a gradient?
A gradient is a color variation from point A to point B.
For example, in the example below, we start with the color red and gradually move towards yellow.
How do I create a gradient in acrylic paint?
There are many techniques for creating a gradient. I’m going to show you a simple method I use, which will enable you to create a gradient easily, simply and without the use of superfluous equipment.
What you need to create your gradient
- Acrylic paint for color A
- Another acrylic paint for color B
- Water
- A spalter(in my example it’s a size 75 spalter)
In my paint example, I use vermilion red and primary yellow.
Step 1: moisten the canvas
In this first example, we’ll create a linear gradient.
To help your paint flow more smoothly and marry the two shades together, I recommend you dampen your canvas.
There are two ways to do this:
- Either by applying water with your spalter
- Or by using a spray diffuser(as in my video example)
Step 2: Paint application
- Apply your paint (A) directly to the canvas on the left.
- Do the same with your paint (B) on the right-hand side.
Step 3: Application of color (B)
Take your spalter and apply your paint (B), in our case yellow paint, from top to bottom.
Make sure there’s enough water on your canvas, otherwise you’ll have trouble spreading your paint and achieving your gradation.
Continue applying your paint all the way to the center of the canvas. You can even go a step further in the sense that red paint is very powerful and easily takes over yellow.
Step 4: Application of color (A)
As in step 3, apply your red paint from the outside to the inside of the canvas. Gradually work your way down the middle of the canvas to the yellow paint you’d previously applied.
Step 5: Mixing shades
At this stage, your color (A) is coming to meet your color (B). Continue applying your color (A), still moving up and down, then continue moving gently to the right.
If you want your gradient to be more subtle, you can retrace your steps, still step by step, so that this time the color is more subtle. (B) penetrates the color (A). This will extend your gradient even further, but be careful not to overdo it, as the two colors will blend together, cancelling out the gradient effect.
Bonus: Create a radial or elliptical gradient.
Using the same technique, you can also create another type of gradient. For example, we can create a radial or elliptical gradient.
Unlike the linear gradient, the movement of this gradient is rounded.
All you need to do is opt for a curved movement rather than an up-and-down one. (As in our previous example).
Thank you for reading this article and watching this video. All you have to do is try this technique! You can use it in any way you like. You’re not limited to two shades as in my example, but you can use as many as you like. But be sure to make mixtures that work.
If you enjoyed this article, I invite you to share it and leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
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