How to paint a Smooth, Blended Background in Acrylic Paint

This video is a demonstration "How To" paint a perfectly blended, acrylic background. It goes over a wet-on-wet technique that will allow you to create that stunning smooth, blended, soft-focus background that is easy to get with oil paint. In this example I have painted a soft lighting/shadow background, so the colours are subtle and dark. You can apply the principals learned in this video to any colour range of your choice. This is the technique I use in all of my wildlife portrait backgrounds, as you can see in the examples shown.
Feel free to ask any questions, or if you have any issues, please send me an email.
Thanks!

[@karinavogt2239]

Thank you for your generosity in sharing your technique, it is much appreciated! Your work is wonderful!

[@carlagraceart]

Karina Vogt thank you for your message 😊 you are welcome

[@georgeshipp8620]

I am a regular IG follower, but just now finding time to begin viewing your videos here. I am not surprised to see that they are not only informative, but also so well produced. Everything you do is professional and classy. I appreciate that you are starting with the basics and then moving to more advanced steps.

[@laneburnor6587]

The amount of detail and information you put into your video is excellent. I feel very informed and am left feeling like I can do this 😁 thank you for this

[@carlagraceart]

Lane Burnor that’s so sweet, thank you 😊

[@tarp-grommet]

After a couple of layers of Gesso I use an airbrush for background prep. It's very fast and you can perfectly blend gradients if you wish. Use a good quality airbrush with a fine spray and thin your paint with Liquidtex or Golden airbrush medium.

[@charlottethomson5636]

wow! I feel like this has solved all my acrylic problems - thanks so much for sharing!

[@carlagraceart]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@GregSimkinsArt]

This is an awesome technique, I can’t wait to try out the wetting agent. Much continued success to you🙏

[@carlagraceart]

Thank you 😊

[@danielleethier9026]

wow, impresive work, thank you for sharing with us!

[@jramya1631]

Just wow ! Thanks for the video Carla ☺️

[@mikefairless8713]

Nice. Very informative and something I never knew existed. Not worked much in Acrylic so probably why. Love the baby feet in the background! 🥰

[@carlagraceart]

Mike Fairless haha I didn’t realise her feet were showing 😂

[@shkgun]

This is Riaz..from India...Awsome..I am beginner to acrylic painting

[@nayanzzz6119]

Perfection🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️.. thnk uuu sooo much❤️❤️

[@ranabilal6354]

Your art work so,nice and It is very helpful to new artist..😇 love from Pakistan

[@user-fj4nf4jz6z]

It turns out that it's really beneficial. Thank you. It's a great sharing

[@carlagraceart]

胡三金 画虎 you are welcome

[@whiteblossom4077]

Wow great 🎉🎉

[@jesusreyes4787]

Oh my God your are totally fabulous artist it yes looks so real is increable to describe u art it yes beautiful thank you for u videos 😁😊👍

[@marylandry440]

Wow thank you!

[@v-art-studiov-art1048]

Thanks so much for sharing. I'm learning a lot from you 🙏 God bless you.

[@carlagraceart]

vongani shane you are welcome ❤️

[@amys4636]

Thank you! 👍

[@sylwiaklencz6404]

Thanks so much Carla. Very helpful video. ❤️❤️❤️

[@carlagraceart]

Sylwia Klencz you are welcome 😊

[@katemorgan4346]

For your wetting agent could I use a product from Liquitex called Flow Aid?

[@joshuajohnson7858]

What is the name of the song used on how to blend the background

[@mccrindlefineart]

Beautiful! Thanks for the video, I wondered how you got your backgrounds with so much depth. Just to verify, you can also do the same on stretched canvas? Not just board?

[@carlagraceart]

Art with Dave - McCrindle Fine Art yes you can do this on any flat surface

[@mccrindlefineart]

@@carlagraceart awesome, thank you very much!

[@lisvandergeer]

Wonderful smooth background. I wil have to try this.I read on your website you used to paint in oils. I wondered: don't you paint in oil anymore? Had this to do with your little one? Thanks

[@carlagraceart]

Lis van der Geer yes I work in our home so solvents are not an option at the moment

[@ChaseArtworks]

I'm wondering how you proceed to the next phase of getting your drawing on after you complete the background? Do you grid over and use that if needed or do you paint your sketch on? Thanks Carla.

[@carlagraceart]

I use a chalk pastel pencil and grid or sketch, whatever works

[@jacquelineleubin5004]

May I ask what kind of brush you use for the very fine hair? Thank you

[@carlagraceart]

Jacqueline Leubin size 0 round by Neef

[@cosmospatel1993]

Thank you for the information mam. Can you make a video about canvas and details ??? much appreciated. Please🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@raznegevartist5023]

So neautiful

[@patwalters3421]

Great video. At what point did you add the burnt umber? I didn't notice that part. Thanks

[@carlagraceart]

Just a small amount added with the rest of the paint, it wasn’t a seperate application. It’s all done in one big messy mix according to what looks right ☺️

[@ivywildfarm]

@@carlagraceart Thank you :)

[@kirstendickerson8354]

Dear Carla,can you share with me the range of paintbrushes that you use.Thankyou.

[@carlagraceart]

For this painting i only used a Filbert size 4 and round size 0

[@bradleygaudet9997]

Great info, thanks! Please consider narrating your videos vs text

[@carlagraceart]

bradley gaudet yep just sorting out audio... I’m teaching myself how to do all of this video making and editing. With a baby it’s a challenge to get clean audio 😂

[@RichardsModellingAdventures]

Great video but the music drove me nuts, I had to mute it

[@carlagraceart]

Thanks for the feedback 🥰

[@RichardsModellingAdventures]

@@carlagraceart Your outstanding art work is on the other hand a joy to my eyes

[@carlagraceart]

@@RichardsModellingAdventures thank you so much 😊

[@claires9100]

I have to agree. The music didn't do justice to the dignity of the painting process. Had to mute it. But very much enjoyed the blending. Thanks for posting!