Golden Open Acrylics Tutorial

Hey friends!
This is my first time using Golden Open Acrylics. First impression? I LOVE THEM! They are soft, buttery and can be used in conjunction with regular acrylics and acrylic mediums. I definitely want to do some further exploration with these paints. I think they are a great alternative for those who want the effects of oil paint, but don't want to use oil paint.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:19 Open Acrylic Colors
2:05 Photo reference
2:58 Different kind of grid
3:46 The Sketch
6:16 Sketch/Reference comparison
6:22 Painting the background.
8:55 Painting the Oriole
11:25 Adding in the brights.
14:43 Bird feet & branch
16:18 Result
Photo reference at Unsplash.com
Photographer: Paul Crook
Links:
Golden Open Acrylics (Landscape Set)
amzn.to/43M40ck
Proportional Divider
amzn.to/3X9hufA
DISCLAIMER:
All Amazon links in the description are affiliate links. If you purchase a product using the links I provide, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting my channel!

[@mmukherjini2161]

That is stunning…you made it seem so easy…and I agree, the OPEN paints are in a world of their own…. I love them too 😮😅😊

[@nightmary]

I loved watching the bird come to life. I actually reached out and touched my monitor half believing I was going to feel the feathers. Absolutely stunning.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Mary! I felt the same way when it was finished. He looks so real!❤

[@GrlRock]

This was a really well done review. Initially, when I first looked into buying open acrylics I watched reviews from artists that didn't understand how to work with them. It was really cool to see you work with the paints and make sound decisions about how to use them to their fullest ability. Thank you. I will definitely be purchasing some in the near future.

[@lkuffer]

Couple of comments: You're a HUGE talent, and I watch you in awe and with envy and great pleasure. J'adore your videos and I am learning much from them. I was always a pretty good illustrator but never a painter; watching you has inspired me to now, in semi-retirement, try the acrylics, sea sponges, templates, modeling paste etc that you use. So thank you for the inspiration. Thank you also for your enthusiasm and sincerity; you are who you are, and you seem like someone who's worked and succeeded to embrace that (coming from a compadre). Finally, thank you for changing the music! Yay. Continued best wishes for success to you.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Many many thanks Leara! I am so happy that you are inspired and that I may have played a small part in that. Comments like yours inspire me to keep doing what I do. I really appreciate your words and sentiment. So, Thank YOU.🙏❤

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Wow, what a gorgeous painting! I'm sold.

[@aerialarboreal9005]

Oh man, you just changed my life with that pie-shaped grid pattern for transfer and scaling!! Here I am mapping out endless squares, first on the subject matter and then on the drawing surface, when all along, I could have been doing this!!! Errrrggg!! I'm kinda mad now!! LOL Anyway, lovely paniting, so vibrant and life-like...You're SO good, I could watch you paint all day..😍 Okay, here's the long winded part... My screen name is not me... My name is Neil and I'm a 58yr old man who lives in Canada... I chose the name because I'm a cat guy and a bit or a writer/painter/all-around hack lol I am harmless, not a creeper, just a diviorced guy who works all day and loves to paint at night... I have a long-ish strory but won't go into it here... Other than email I don't use any other forms of social media (was never big on Insta, FB and all that) Just wanted to tell you a little about myself, and again to say how much I enjoy your work/tutorials... My favorite mediums are watercolour and acrylics... I do a lot of birds, working on a seagul at the mo' and when your Raven caught my eye in the 'recommended'videos' some time back, I thought.. "Hmmm?... Who do we have here?"... (hanevn't looked back😉) Thank you again Lydia... Hare a great day and sorry for being a wordy pain in the ass from all the way up here in the Great White North! (eh) 😎

[@lydiabroderick867]

Hey Neil! Good to know your name! I enjoy reading your comments! You can be as long-winded as you want... I certainly am sometimes. I'm glad the grid helps! I've always hated the square grids!😄 Thank you for telling me a bit about yourself. I like knowing the real people out there who share the love of creating art. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day! Thanks again!🙏😊❤

[@amattukat]

I absolutely would not believe that this is an actual painting if i haven‘t seen the process. This is so beautiful! Thank you for this beautiful video!❤

[@laurienye7514]

You are such a talented lady, Lydia. I loved that and I think your colors were magnificent. You really inspire me to try that, I loved the grid you used. I just loved it and you, thank you so much. 💗♥💛

[@donnagelina8548]

You did a brilliant job capturing the actual life in that bird!

[@teresamazotti1315]

Totally gorgeous! I have these paints and I agree with everything you said about these paints. I have used Sennelier, Liquitex and regular Golden Heavy Body with them. I have not used the thinner. I love them.

[@MazArtStudio]

Lydia I just spent a small fortune on these paints based on this review (they didn’t have the sets and I couldn’t wait so bought full size yikes). No pressure on you lol 😅. I’ve been researching for a while but this review sealed the fate! Playing around today and like you I flippin love them and that’s just playing I can’t wait to do a painting!!! I’ll be doing a review on my channel soon & I’ll be sure to shout you out. All the best Maz. X

[@lydiabroderick867]

Oh AWESOME!!! I can't wait to see!❤❤❤

[@recreepy]

Your ability to paint and create artwork is impressive.

[@user-qi1tp7di8o]

You are so very generous with you knowledge Lydia, thank you so much for sharing.

[@carlametcalfe4342]

Beautiful

[@perpetuasantossilva8593]

Amazing!

[@Tuija-Si]

Cool you share your experiments. What a photorealistic bird. You got patience. Thanks for the hint of marking corner to corner supporting lines. Great work. 🥰

[@OrioleBeagle]

Gorgeous painting!

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!!!

[@penkakostadinova9136]

Thank you for this video, Lydia! I am, I was skeptical about Golden Open like you. I did an amazing presentation. ❤️🌹

[@timsmith2747]

As usual, fantastic, absolutely wonderful, thanks Lydia!

[@karenhudgin8631]

You are so sweet! You made this video I know not just for me I am pretty sure many requests but you are very kind to take the time to do it. Love all your videos and your art!❤

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Karen! I'm so glad you liked it❤❤❤

[@williamlaforge4517]

Wow, that’s all I can say, wow!!!! Great presentation. And may you not have bird feet nightmares😮

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Best Dad!!!😊❤

[@Lex-cg3ee]

Another brilliant painting and video. Thank you.

[@jonisolis9645]

Sweet bird! Hope to see you work with these paints again soon!

[@jeffmoodie6144]

I’m just getting back into painting after a bit of time off (big move to a new country) so over a year now) and I did bring my open paints along. I like these so much that I gave away all my student paints, mid range paints and even the golden heavy body to just focus on golden open. You are helping to inspire me to get them out and get started painting again.

[@lydiabroderick867]

That's wonderful!!! Thank you Jeff!!!😊

[@judithlund4346]

That was a great tutorial ….. beautiful bird, so realistic. Thankyou Lydia, really enjoyed it. Will be looking into the Golden Open acrylics for sure. 🥰

[@vivienlawson7256]

Thanks so much

[@MySweetTootie2]

Beautiful!!! I'm going to buy some tomorrow. I love working with acrylic paint. But it does dry too fast. Sometimes I want more time to work with it. But I am definitely going to buy some tomorrow. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. And I love the painting of the bird. Thank you so much!!!!

[@denisegormley1763]

You have amazing talent, you made those paints sing. Thanks for sharing with the world. And thanks for making me now want to spend more money and go back to acrylics. 🥴

[@charlotteherring1715]

Love it! Love you! Love your paintings! Thank you for your videos!

[@DMintoART]

This looks like a photo! Wow! 🤩 thank you for the tips, my next order will be these paints. I don’t like painting bird feet either 😉 😊

[@fredericaongenaert9531]

Amazing!!! ❤❤❤

[@rmc9076]

I’ve been painting in golden since they came out have always loved them . But stopped and drifted into other mediums.. And began my journey back to acrylic due to heath reason .. of oils .. your bird looks great !

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!!!

[@bobrutan4735]

Love the painting! I am curious as to whether or not you provide one on one lessons?

[@antonietta2874]

Wow this is stunning!! Love your work.

[@kyelesley7498]

Great video, Really informative! And that little bird is awesome! I think your grandmother was influencing you just a little bit with your choice of bird❤

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thanks mom! Nanni is still at it!😄❤

[@steve_oh8263]

Such a fire-bomb looking dart! Beautiful work!

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!!!

[@elconsultoriodecandida7304]

Really beautiful and inspiring.Thank you.

[@colorscapeexpressionsart]

Awesome tutorial💜

[@user-mv3wv3uj4l]

beautiful 👍👍

[@jennawolf9873]

❤❤❤

[@SpaceHeroCommand]

Great video and beautiful painting! I also use Golden OPEN, they are brilliant!

[@bigredfred33]

I’ve always had a love hate relationship with acrylics because of the lack of versatility, Golden has done a great job of solving that issue by making acrylics blendable when you need that option. Golden Open medium also helps to slow the dying time of regular acrylics….now my life is complete, lol.

[@karenhudgin8631]

Excellent tutorial 😊

[@doninis1354]

That was a really helpfull tutorial! Thank you.

[@ladygwarth]

Gorgeous, painting. I have already ordered some as I always used to paint in oils, but for health reasons I have moved to acrylics. I hate them most of the time, but I am hoping these will change my mind and that I can get back to painting portraits and animals. Thank you and 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@simaabedini5908]

Love your teaching

[@catherinevangass4927]

Wow Lydia, painting is stunning 👌🏻💥🎨, love birds and the painting rocks!! I also normally use acrylics for my underpainting and oils to finish off because blending is better, etc Will like to try the open acrylics❣️

[@juliaknuist5829]

Thanks for art lesson as well as great video ..i will most definitely try the grid method and the golden acrylics...funny how I have just painted a Bee eater bird yesterday 😂...

[@Beth_Agnes_Casey]

Very nice ❤

[@elizabethmaslowska2298]

Yes, it is stunning. Lovely art work.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Elizabeth!

[@virginiekennedy2295]

Lydia, you are Lightning up more and more and that is so beautiful to see.. lots of love

[@katsiggy1]

Thank you for the review. I was afraid to try them didn’t want to waste my money I will try them and you’re painting is gorgeous.

[@uriwhetumauri5515]

Bird feet...😂... Absolutely love your stuff, very talented and inspired ❤

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!😄❤

[@willowwilson5358]

I have never used that grid method 😮 it's such a good idea 😃 also beautiful bird 💛💙

[@willowwilson5358]

That turned out amazing 💛💛💛💛💛💛

[@twohandsandaradio]

WOW... I am blown away. This is what I've been looking for. One question. I'm new to the channel... how do you prep your canvas? I'm coming from wet on wet oils and I'm confused with that step for acrylics. Maybe nothing at all?

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you!!! With acrylics there's really no need to prep the surface if the canvas is already primed and gessoed. 😊

[@ginajennings1664]

Absolutely fabulous. I might have to give golden a try.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Hi Gina! Thanks! I highly recommend!😊

[@kuma4art632]

beautyful work lydia...loved your videos. you are an amazing artist💜

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you so much!❤❤❤

[@JoshDauntes-to2em]

Love it. Mentor me.

[@kellylea3575]

Wow! So amazing. Thank you for this great video. Every week your talent blows me away. I love this grid idea, I agree the box grid is so time consuming and messy, I will be sure to give this a try. These paints look wonderful to work with, but I think you just have a way about you that makes it look so easy. Golden should really be hitting you up for sponsorship, your artistic skills and enthusiasm will definitely be a benefit to them.....well and all of us too, who appreciate your wonderful video shares 😄 Take good care!

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Kelly for the support and the kind words! The paints were so much easier than regular acrylics although my left hand felt lonely without gripping the fine mist sprayer😂 You take care as well!😊

[@kellylea3575]

@@lydiabroderick867 left hand is now free for the 🍷

[@krc5210]

Just stumbled on your video when searching for Open Golden. This is one of the best videos I've found on making art and I've been painting for years. Very good information on the Opens too. I like working with acrylics but the drying time is just too fast even with extenders for me, and I painted with oils for years and was spoiled with that blending and glazing. Thx so much for this. I subscribed.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you so much! I agree with you on acrylics totally. 😊

[@lizobasuke8765]

You are amazing Lydia!

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you so much!

[@tracytruhlarik6525]

Hello from Not so smokey Canada As always Thank you for sharing I think your bird winked at me he looks so real lol

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thanks Tracy!😉❤

[@crochetedcritterz]

Amazing painting, sounds like some cool paint

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Felicia! It was way cooler than I had anticipated.😊

[@SummerSmithArts]

Thank you so much for this! Gorgeous painting and excellent info. The only Open Acrylic I have right now IS black, which I was using on a gel plate. Now I gotta get other colors. 😊

[@lydiabroderick867]

Excellent Summer! I'm glad the info was helpful!😁

[@michelecordonnier5083]

super beau Lydia, j'essaierais ces peintures que tu me recommandes, merci encore

[@Nicawe]

Thank you for this wonderful video, so jam-packed!

[@lydiabroderick867]

AWESOME! Thank you!!!😊

[@lydiabroderick867]

Also, the open acrylics are more transparent than regular heavy body acrylics. I noticed it more working on a white canvas. So I usually put a base color on the canvas first.😉

[@cherrymint4708]

you rock. you just fixed me.

[@youareamazingyesyou5880]

Lovely painting! So how long did the open paints actually remain totaly wet and workable for? I think this is what i really need to know ... as Im wondering how much time i will have to blend a sky and clouds for example, where it takes considerable time to paint in large areas with different colours and tones and take time with blending . thankyou

[@lydiabroderick867]

Hey there! So it takes about 30 min without the thinner before they become tacky. I use the thinner in very small amounts because too much changes the paint. You do have a longer working time if you use the thinner. Ultimately it will vary depending on the weather in your area and the relative humidity. The first painting I did dried slower than the second. The weather changed drastically in the northeast within a week.

[@katherineiam7140]

Well hello Lydia! Are open acrylics similar to water-based oil paint? Can they be used together? Thank you so much for being such a fun, talented source of inspiration! Much Love!

[@lydiabroderick867]

Hi Katherine! I've actually never used water mixable oils. I will have to do some research on that. 🤔😊

[@katherineiam7140]

Thank you Lydia!

[@dianeo]

This turned out so well! Thanks for the tips. Often I have trouble with the background. I always want to put in too many details. I love how your background really sets off the colors with just a hint of bokeh.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you Diane!

[@ColleenTempleart]

What would you suggest for thinner with Golden Open Acrylics?

[@elizevdbol2360]

Very interesting. I use oils and after watching this im most definitely going to try acrylics. 1 question is what music you used for this video? Really enjoyed it. You bird is stunning. Regards from Botswana.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Hi there! All my music is from epidemicsound.com. Some songs I used were The Road Less Traveled, Chadler, My Small Heart and A New Forrest.

[@elizevdbol2360]

Ah thank you for your reply. Iv only recently seen your videos and they have inspired me so thank you. Keep it up. Warm regards Elize

[@cosmicfxx]

Stunning paint and great video tutorial, thanks. How do you find these acrylics, do they chnage colors by dring lighter/darker than when applied, like other acrylics?

[@lydiabroderick867]

Hi Rob! They do dry slightly darker, but it's a very subtle difference.

[@cosmicfxx]

@@lydiabroderick867 thanks

[@Zzont0pp11]

How was the dry time?

[@chandarussell]

Excellent painting. Do you ever do landscapes? About bird feet and legs. It’s hard to see on small birds like orioles but large birds legs and feet have a reptile look and texture. I have 4 large parrots and their legs and feet look like lizard skin. If you’ve seen the most recent Jurassic World film they have dinosaurs that are morphing into birds which scientifically is what actually did happen. That’s why large birds today still look like they have reptile skin on their legs. If you ever get a chance to see a large parrot up close have a look. Small birds are technically the same but because they are so small it’s hard to see the “scales” on their legs.

[@lydiabroderick867]

I have incorporated parts of landscapes into paintings, but I've never just painted a landscape. I knew birds were closely related to dinosaurs, but never got close enough to the feet to really observe. Very interesting... Thank you!

[@yeshuaiscomingbackrepent2357]

Absolutely beautiful! I love the bird! I have OPEN and I agree, they are GREAT!! 🎨🖌️I have done colorful horses in abstraction and they do look and perform like oil, blending is so easy. Have a blessed day and KEEP ON PAINTING!!😁p.s. My friend sent me this video!

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you so much!!! A blessed day to you as well!😊

[@John__67]

Nice background music selection……as in all your vid’s.

[@lydiabroderick867]

Thank you John!

[@staceyselleck3624]

Glad you explained what "Open" means. I recently saw this product and thought it meant "used" as in "open box." Poor choice of nomenclature. Better to have used your verbiage and call it "Butter." Then perhaps I would have purchased some by now. You should @GoldenAcrylics or whatever their handle is to get you some free paint for all the purchases that will be made from your video. ;-) Thanks for sharing.