How to Blend Acrylics Like Oils

[@MythKitty7]

I don't know if you will still get a notification for this comment but, if you do, I just want to tell you how amazing you are! Not just for your talent as an artist, but for all of the detailed information and links you've included in your description section. So few individuals take the time to add information regarding the products used in a video which either leaves the viewer guessing or backing up the video to try to catch the product names if they're mentioned. So, THANK YOU!

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks for leaving such a nice comment! The fact that people find some sort of value in my videos encourages me to make more. 🙂

[@tiredtears4177]

As a very new painter your tutorials are amazing and exceptionally relaxing to listen to. Thank you so much for sharing 🥰

[@ChrisBreier]

Blu Tansy you’re welcome! 😊

[@RedditNarrated_]

@@ChrisBreier I see that many painters sketch on the canvas before painting , so i wonder if i should learn to sketch before painting ?

[@RedditNarrated_]

can i replicate this as a begginer or its too soon?

[@smellymala3103]

I must agree as a watercolorist and career drawer (guffaw) the amount of hard information with no fluff blew me away, this will drastically change my acrylics!! Pure gratitude 🙇🏻‍♂️

[@wendythompson6323]

I'm not an artist but I still like watching your tutorials and seeing your beautiful paintings.

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks Wendy!

[@danmi6099]

please please think about doing some more lessons the way you explain things is amazing, i have been attending lessons for a year and you explained things in one session that i have been confused about all that time, you are an amazing teacher

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks for the encouragement! I plan on posting more videos.soon. I’m also working on making video courses, I just released one on color mixing chrisb.thinkific.com/courses/color-mixing-course

[@helenwinter2115]

Thank you Chris, you are such a great teacher, no rush and explanations in easy to understand language. I now want to watch every video you have made. Keep up the great work. I have just started in acrylics after many years of working with watercolor so your blending techniques are especially helpful. Many artists demonstrate with skies on large boards but you have shown it's possible on smaller work and elements. I have just purchased a wet palette so keen to try it out. Thanks for sharing.

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you found the video useful. 🙂

[@franklyfair6371]

I’m so grateful I found your channel, it’s supper detailed yet so simple. It has really helped me understand how to work with acrylic paints

[@alinserea4179]

I love 💕 the amount of information you give,💝in this interesting💓💞video thanks for the beautiful💕video you shared.,..

[@redpoppy2764]

Thank you so much. You just fixed all my issues in one vid. 👍. Subscribed !

[@walterreansalley3410]

Wow, Chris, this is super. Such simple, wonderful, and practical instructions: As you show and tell it, I can see it. And I can't wait to try it. Thank you. ❤❤❤🎨

[@alinserea4179]

I love 💕 the amount of information you give,💝in this interesting💓💞video thanks for the beautiful💕video you shared.

[@Megan-kl1od]

Thank you for this tutorial, the tips are super helpful for just starting out doing still life paintings in acrylic.

[@davidsisk9013]

God Bless you sir..I've learned more from your video than all the other videos I've wasted time on..Your a great teacher and Artist,thanks again Brother...

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks for the compliment and the encouragement!

[@TODOMATIO]

As someone who comes from oil painting, I use the same Badger blending brush. It's flat but fluffy.

[@mayhtoo3576]

You super color mixer..thanksss..harmonious combo...have a great 😊 day Mr Artist...

[@bdml77]

This is a very thorough video and you seem like a sweet person

[@查理-m9i]

This is the artist I dream to reached thank you for the tutorials

[@ishaniahmed8450]

This was very, very helpful! The way you speak is very calming and it's very detailed and straight to the point. Thank you for your help!

[@marthas8108]

very nice. I appreciate your no nonsense approach. Thanks!

[@Michelle-oc4ty]

Beautiful painting!! I also like how informative you are. I feel like I'm back in art school getting tips from my professors. 👍🙂

[@lenasmirnova293]

Thank you very much for sharing. Amazingly beautiful art piece and tutorial.

[@andreakhaid]

Awesome information, thanks for sharing! I like the painting too!

[@purronnaspaw]

Thank you. I really liked your painting tips and the final painting.

[@awakeenlighten2298]

This video is pure gold Chris! Just what I was looking for!

[@golfoula]

Good God.. this is amazing! So lucky I came across your video. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@SadafMoazamigoodarzi-pw5fx]

Hello, I am from Iran, and it is very expensive to buy oil paint here, and this method of yours helped me a lot to use my own acrylic paints, thank you for your excellent training❤

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks, I'm glad that it helped! 🖌

[@moalarsson1646]

Thank you so much for this video! You explain and show the techniques really well. You helped me a lot!

[@meri8746]

Great tutorial. 👏🏻. I have noticed the Golden Retarder really keeps the acrylics wet for a long time. Thanks! Wish you would have split this into two videos to show more how you finished the copper cup.

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks! I try to keep my videos down to a length that's watchable, but maybe I'll do a full length video in the future. Thanks for the suggestion! 😀

[@hiteshgaur3214]

I'm like obsessed with acrylics and this video answered alot of my Queries which I've been rendering with from a long a period of time, thank you mate 😊

[@dgbx6]

Direct, clear and insightful. Thank you for sharing this.

[@LeftBrainedArtist]

Loved it. One day I'll follow one your tutorials with my brush and paints.

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks! You should do it, that would be cool!

[@afw7110]

Recently started painting and I'm very happy I came across your channel - immensely helpful and given me a new outlook on how to use acrylic paint.

[@attadudepc]

Brilliant piece of work

[@lordoftheflings]

great information. im new to painting and learning things. love acrylics. was wondering hot to get them smooth like oils. right now im using liquidtex and amsterdam acrylics. will try the golden ones. and think ill buy some acrylic retarder.

[@ramonhernandez2742]

I really appreciate your way of sharing your tips and knowledge, thanks.

[@Joe-peace]

Thank you for sharing your work. The tips about keeping acrylics wet are just what I needed. Thank you. Looking forward to more tips!

[@michaelbuchanan3212]

Chris, your explanation and demos are superior. you have excellent attention to detail, without getting finicky or tight.

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks Michael for the kind words!

[@jacinth8268]

I just started painting and this is so helpful! Great video, thank you!

[@patriciachianelli7507]

Really like your style of painting. Simple strokes that come together and look very pleasing to the eye.

[@whoisharo4689]

Love listening to you. Very relaxing Thank you. I'm an oil painter and know nothing about acrylics. Great video.

[@346UNCLEBOB]

Lots of good information. Thanks!

[@leslieramage7498]

Beautiful! Thank you for the great presentation! I learned quite a bit! I love how your copper cup magically appeared....never knew how to accomplish that effect.

[@Dizzylex]

You’re a really good teacher, thank you! 🫶🏻

[@margaretdagger6784]

Your tutorials gave me so much information and knowledge. Thank you.

[@carolynbrown2502]

Thank you for doing this video! It helped so much and it's very beautiful

[@mandyrobertson4486]

I didn’t use open acrylics, and it is an nightmare trying to get a soft blend. Ended up pleased with the unexpected result. My second and third paintings ever! Going to gift them to mother and friend. Thanks for the video!!

[@PaPa52109]

Excellent video! Very concise instructions and demonstrates your passion for helping others. Very good!

[@mikkelgaba5176]

Wow... All I can say is wow and thanks for sharing 🙏😊

[@catuze1239]

Your tutorial helped me a lot!!! this is so helpful thank u keep up please!❤

[@catbraunwell6450]

Interesting process. Thanks very much

[@yimforman4233]

I’m start learning to pain and start with acrylic for 4-5 months . Just found this video ,thank you ! , it helps me a lot.

[@ChrisBreier]

You’re welcome! 🙂

[@spicexhoney]

oh my gosh! I have been struggling with blending. I tend to make transition shades for my transition shades and it just makes everything streaky. You put a light, a dark and a transition shade and in one stroke it's all set!! Thank you for sharing.

[@akronglory7989]

Glad I found your channel. Best painting technique vids I've found so far. Glad your here and sharing your skills

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks! I'm glad that you find my videos useful!

[@angeladibble]

I use a needle felting tool to remove any hairs from the brush. It works really well and is a more delicate tool for the job. Love the blending thank you.

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks for the tip!

[@renatobfa]

Fantastic advice Brier, thank you 👏👏👏👏

[@ChrisBreier]

Glad it was helpful!

[@charlesreidy2765]

Wow! As a person who has problems with solvents and some oil paints, I've wanted to try Open Acrylics for a long time, but nobody online goes as deep into the subject as you. Thanks so much!

[@ChrisBreier]

You're welcome! I don't like using solvents either. Aside from open acrylics, I occasionally use water mixable oils which clean up with soap and water. They have a faint smell of linseed oil which isn't that bad.

[@1sacoyle]

Love your video. I use golden for my animal portraits. For teaching my students we mostly use Liquitex and Grumbacher acrylics with the Masterson yellow pallet. I like to use glass to place my paints on for the ease of clean up. Just remember to trim the nubs on the lid of the masterson box so the lid snaps on.

[@MichaelKensinger]

I’m fairly new to opens but have used them several times now. I’m quickly falling in love with them. Thanks for the tips and information on the palettes!

[@romulusbuta9318]

SUPERB ! Baroque painting 🙂.

[@Theskateboardingbarber]

This was helpful and amazing. Thank you❤️

[@galynasemenko5414]

I subscribed just a few minutes into this tutorial, that says a lot. You're a great teacher!

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks! 😊

[@maxinehenderson7803]

thanx so much...beautiful, realistic

[@marywelter6229]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@plant_jesus]

thank you!! this helped a lot when i recreated Mars and Venus, Allegory of Peace.

[@lizalindsey1514]

This was very helpful! Thank you !

[@BeyondArtistry]

Thanks for the tutorial Sir!

[@lahaza6515]

I'm not a great painter, but I'm on a roll with something & couldn't get it smooth with the brushes I have so I went into my makeup bag and took out my Kabuki blending brush and voila! So happy I found your video, thank you!

[@ChrisBreier]

I’ve seen other artists use makeup brushes too. I’m glad you found my video helpful!

[@kez_4184]

Here from tiktok! ;) I love your content so much!

[@youtubesano_paintings]

Waow so beautiful 😃👍👌👌

[@bethanydee1920]

Wow! Great tips! I used to paint with oils but have begun using acrylics and have wasted so much paint trying to experiment my way into how it works. This helps tremendously. There's just one other thing. I didn't see you talk about how you keep your colors looking the same after they dry as when they're wet. When mine dry it's like all the shading and vibrancy has gone completely out of the painting. I thought maybe it just needed a fixative but if I don't apply it between sessions I still get the same effect. Is there a better way?

[@ChrisBreier]

The way that I normally deal with the color shift is that I mix the color that I want and then I just make it slightly lighter. If the color is really critical you can brush it on some scrap paper and dry it with a hairdryer to see if it matches. People often ask about having to remix a color when you run out. I find that it's best to mix more than you need and to keep a portion of it wet so that you can match the color of the wet paint, before it has a chance to dry and darken....if that makes sense.

[@laskillen]

Great video Chris, thank you

[@davidconti3255]

This was great. Thanks so much.

[@outresru7751]

very helpful, I'll try this but a little scared but I will do it anyways!

[@seahorse5689]

This was such an incredibly helpful video. Was considering trying oils due to my frustration with blending acrylics (though I didn't really want to go the oils route). Will try some of your tips. Thank you!

[@ChrisBreier]

Thank! If you do try oils, you may want to look into water mixable oils. I like the ones from Cobra.

[@seahorse5689]

@@ChrisBreier Thanks for the tip. I did get a few neutrals awhile back to try them without getting into color at first, but, alas, have not had a chance to use them, but check them out. Love your tips about the stay-wet pallet and the Open brand, so am going to experiment a bit in grayscale to not have to invest too much at first until I see how it all goes. Thanks again. Hope you keep making such helpful videos!

[@Furrysuperstar]

I've been following you on instagram and randomly came across your channel when I was searching how to blend paint. ❤️

[@Cristina97]

Really good explanations, helped me a lot, thank you! #subscribed

[@gc3043]

Thank you very much for your helpful tips. I have rarely seen similar in other videos. I found them all very helpful and I really like the idea with making a grey out of the remaining colour.

[@ChrisBreier]

Glad it was helpful!😀

[@LWashburnDesigns]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@donutpond]

wow i really needed this thanks

[@chantalrochon3566]

Thank you for this video 😊

[@gourabchakraborty3371]

Thanks sir just the thing I need

[@beckynichols3832]

Thank you! Very helpful! ❤️

[@sarahwilliams4183]

Jaw dropping! Thank you soooo much for making this ! Helps me sooo much !!!

[@ChrisBreier]

You’re welcome Sarah!

[@carolinafernandezoro733]

Excellent!

[@marcelalara1014]

thankssss!!! you helped me so much!!!!

[@carlametcalfe4342]

Incredible

[@express2911]

excellent!!

[@hichemrahal9489]

Perfect❤️

[@M.O.1981]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[@lisafred1362]

I started acrylics today and I wish my teacher would have taught me all I learned from you. I have bought fast drying acrylic, but how much retarder should you mix in to be able to make open acrylic out of it? Is it even possible to mix a ratio of retarder that will keep paint wet for days? Will it just be streaky if I do that? I want to carry paint back and forth to class in the palettes you mention. Thanks in advance if you respond.

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks! You'll have to read the directions on the retarder because it's a little different depending upon what you buy. Most retarders have a limit to how much you can add because if you add too much it can remain tacky. Liquitex slow dry medium is different- you can add as much as you want because it's a combination of retarder and acrylic medium. Another option is to use golden open thinner as a retarder. I think the open acrylics stay wet longer than adding retarder to regular acrylics....I'm not sure why that is. As for keeping paint wet in the palette, if you use the sponge and palette paper that comes with it, you can keep the paint wet for days...that works even for regular acrylics.

[@nafsiammara]

I struggle a lot with bristles coming out of my cheap brushes that I'm abusing. I was going to get tweezers but I'll try the knife. Drives me crazy.

[@JohnDoe-mj5sn]

Nice painting demostration but this video just suggest to use golden open ..

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks! As I say at the beginning-the key is to use retarder to slow down the drying time of acrylics. It's not necessary to switch to open acrylics, especially if you already have a large selection of another brand. Almost every brand of acrylics has some form of retarder or slow drying medium. It's worth experimenting with them to find the one that works for you because the slower drying times will make it possible to use the blending techniques I used in the video. 🙂

[@karenfox9982]

Wow thankyou excellent

[@reneekroyer5104]

Thank you for sharing this video. I have one of those stay-wet palettes but I never use it because I find it so very difficult to get that red lid on and off. It is crazy. You'd think they could make one that just locks on/off easily, like a lock-and-lock food storage container. I've also found that when I use a glass palette, my acrylic paints do not dry as quickly as when I just use a styrofoam plate as my palette. I've never heard of that brand of acrylic paint you mentioned . . . open acrylic?

[@ChrisBreier]

One trick I have for putting on the lid is to line up the four corners and then press the sides down. Once it's lined up I use the palm of my hand to push it down so I'm using my weight to push it down rather than using the strength of my fingers. Some people coat the top edge of the box with vaseline but I think that's a bad idea. If you get it in your paints or on the canvas it could cause adhesion problems.

[@ChrisBreier]

Open acrylics are slow drying acrylics from Golden.

[@reneekroyer5104]

Okay, thank you for that tip. I was trying to get it down with my fingers, that is why I called in the hubby with the stronger fingers. lol @@ChrisBreier

[@anonymousanonymous5327]

i love the nervousness and insecurity of this guy, its all about the painting not the painter with him, also the line you said about not painting a mug but the random shapes in the right place and right colour ... just sums up painting briliiantly!

[@phyllisbunn5603]

thanks, excellent info

[@triggerfish999]

Thanks for the demo. Golds Open are a bit different to regular acrylic plus retarder. I was hoping to see how to use retarder, which comes as a liquid and a gel. As far as I can tell, you can mix the retarder with the paint on the pallet, but the paint doesn’t stay workable for anything like as long as Golden Open. Typically 50% longer, which is just a few minutes instead of the minute (or less) which is as long as it takes for most acrylics to dry. You can also paint the retarder into the bit of canvas you are working with, and then add the acrylic on top, and this keeps it open for a few minutes, though it gets sticky after a while as it goes off. So the technique for using retarder is a bit more involved. Actually, if you don’t want your paint to take nearly as long to dry as (say) Alkyd oils it might be better to use retarder rather than Golden Open (and G.O. are pretty expensive too).

[@ChrisBreier]

I agree- mixing retarder with regular acrylics is definitely more complicated than just buying tubes of open acrylics! 😄 There are a number of factors that will influence the effectiveness of the retarder. For example, some brands of retarders seem to work better than others. One thing that I want to test out is using Golden open thinner as a retarder. I believe it contains the same retarder and humectants as their line of open acrylics. So it would be interesting to see if it's more effective than regular acrylic retarders. Another important factor is the temperature and humidity levels in your working environment. If your acrylics dry in less than a minute then you must live in a hot and dry location?For me, it's more humid in the summer so my paints don't dry out as quickly. Interactive acrylics are another interesting option. Once they start to dry you can rewet them by misting them with water. They also have an "unlocking formula" that you can spray on to the surface to rewet paint that has recently dried.

[@triggerfish999]

@@ChrisBreier thankS. That’s v interesting. I’ve only used Daley Rowney gel. I ought perhaps try the other retardants. I live in the UK but I find the paint dries pretty quickly, within minutes (ok...maybe not less than a minute, but it’s not much more than that).

[@luana-wj2sr]

I love it

[@averyeckels1931]

I love painting but im not ver good at it you're videos are so inspirational!!!

[@beenasibi5971]

WOW suuuper 💕💞

[@theaaycock232]

Great video tutorial ! Do you paint from a photo when painting a still life. Thank you for the shared skills.

[@ChrisBreier]

Thanks! Yes, I paint from my own still life photos. Otherwise it's difficult to make up the details and the light and shadow patterns.

[@patelsunap112]

Are you applying gesso on your canvas if yes please tell me how to prepare canvas for acrylic paint.!! And please mention what kind acrylic are you using??

[@ChrisBreier]

This is a canvas panel that was already primed with gesso when I bought it. If you're stretching your own canvas you can appply 2-3 coats of acrylic gesso to it. In this painting I'm using Golden open acrylics which are slow drying. I list the colors that I use in the description.