An affinity with acrylics

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

■ Create the effects of glass and metal

■ Follow a step-by-step acrylic painting process

■ Work with a limited palette

At first glance, shiny or iridescent objects look daunting for the painter, but like any other subject, it’s a matter of accurate drawing and using a range of tones in the correct relationship to each other. Practising painting shine with a still life is hugely beneficial later for other subjects, such as fabric or jewellery in a portrait.

Regular or shiny paint?

Iridescent and metallic acrylic colours are readily available in most ranges of acrylics so should we use shiny paint? No, because the colours only look shiny as they catch the light when viewed at a certain angle. Since we are painting on a flat surface, everywhere would have the same level of shine and the objects would have no form.