Neon acrylic paint is a blast of an activity as it allows you to create very vibrant, glowing artwork. If you’re a beginner, read on to learn how to paint like a pro as this guide will show you everything you need to know. It will teach you about taking the best tools and perfecting the advanced techniques to make your neon art pop off.
Getting Started with Neon Acrylic Paint
The first part of this process is getting to know the basics about the paints, brushes, and painting techniques.
1. Choosing the Right Paints and Brushes
When using neon acrylics, you want to make sure you use good quality and brand. This will guarantee not only do your colors stay vibrant but will last a long time. If you want the brightest results opt for paints that are labeled as neon or fluorescent.
Soft, synthetic brushes are perfect for acrylics, pair these with. Different brush sizes work properly for working in detail or with bold strokes. For more coverage, a flat brush is perfect; for smaller stuff, use a fine-tipped brush.
2. Preparing Your Canvas for This Unique Paint Type
You’ll need to know how to prepare your canvas when working with neon acrylic paint. Priming it with a layer of primer helps the paint adhere better. Directing the eye to the canvas base can be done by using a white or light-colored canvas.
Neon will not work on dark or unprimed surfaces. Another thing you may want to do is sketch your design lightly before you apply paint. Prepping your canvas is key to getting your neon paint to shine through for a truly neon pop.
3. Understanding Unique Properties of Neon Acrylic Paint
Different from regular acrylics, neon acrylic paint has some unique properties. It’s highly pigmented, and, under normal light, it emits a glow and a fluorescent effect. Neon paints can be used that seem to be translucent so that several layers are needed to make them fully opaque.
Blacklight also works well on them and intensifies the glow effect. These properties help you use neon acrylic paint better, to create dynamic and vibrant art. If you learn to master its characteristics right, you will have more control over how your final work turns out.
Techniques to Know for Painting with Neon Acrylic Like A Pro
Below are some of the key techniques you need to learn.
Adding a Depth by Layering Neon Acrylic Paints
There is no key to creating depth in your artwork, but layering neon acrylic paints is a great way to do it. Add a base layer, allowing it to dry, and then start with a top layer. The more neon color layer gets built up, in its intensity, becoming more vivid.
Blend easily from one layer to another, free of blotchiness, using thin, even coats. Layering also creates shadows and highlights your drawing to create dimensions for your piece. Building up layers gradually can give you a more professional, more polished neon acrylic painting.
Smooth Blending of Different Colors
How to blend neon acrylics is tricky, but it’s rewarding when you do it the right way. You want to work fast so that your paint breathes between each color, but you don’t want the paint to dry. You can use a damp brush to soften up the edge of where the two colors meet. You can also blend straight on the canvas, one color fading into another to give a smooth effect.
Adding depth and complexity to your artwork, the colors look more fluid when you apply this technique. Blending allows for professional-looking gradients and changing of color shifts in your neon painting. Hence, learning to master how to use blending and when is essential to making your work look professional.
Using Blacklight Efficiently for the Glow Effect
Blacklight allows neon acrylic paints to glow and pop in the dark. To get this effect, you paint in layers that glow under blacklight, specific areas you want to pop. See how your painting looks under a black light. Does it change colors and look better?
Different neon acrylics will glow brighter than others, meaning you’ll need to adjust your layers. Add black light to your painting, and your painting becomes a gorgeous visual experience.
Advanced Tips to Further Enhance Your Neon Acrylic Painting
Here are some tips that will take your painting experience one step further than being a pro with neon acrylic paints.
· Creating a Dynamic Look by Adding Texture
Texturing neon acrylic paintings gives them a 3D look. Using a palette knife or thick brushstroke you can layer paint and raise areas on your canvas. Doing so gives the neon colors more depth and makes them more interesting and active.
To add more texture, play with the material and or fabric mixed in the paint. Texture offers one additional component of interest to your artwork, which makes it visually pleasing and helps give your artwork that professional, more complex look.
· Contrasting With Different Dark and Neutral Tones
Dark and neutral tones simply work well when using neon colors for painting. Neon colors are brighter against a dark background (grey or black). The neon hues seem even more vivid in contrast to other colors.
While neutral could also balance work, it would allow neon to be the focal point. Using contrast to experiment will lead to a bolder more eye-catching piece that will heighten the intensity of the neon colors and add depth to your painting.
· Experimenting Neon Acrylics with Other Paints for Unique Results
Neon acrylic paints can be mixed with other paints to form unusual and unexpected results. When you are trying to have contrasting textures and effects, try mixing neon with metallic or standard acrylics.
It gives you the option to layer different types of paint to increase depth for whatever you’re layering. Trying out different combinations allows you to find new ways to do things and achieve more professional results.
Akron Paint Room: The Perfect Spot for Painting and Other Creative Exploration
An exciting Akron Paint Room activity like Pints and Paint is sure to create some creativity in life. Their vibrant, fun environment is wonderful if you’re an experienced or beginner artist, to explore neon acrylic painting. The best part is that you get all the tools and paints along with expert guidance here, so you only need to bring the desire to paint.