7 Essential Acrylic Texture Tips: Mastering Brushwork for Vibrant Landscapes

Join me as I share seven essential acrylic texture tips to help you create vibrant and textured landscapes. Whether you're just starting out or have some experience with acrylic painting, this video is a must-watch to help you master the art of brushwork and take your skills to the next level.
✅ Your FREE Course: art.malcolmdewey.art/FreeCourse
Using standard student acrylics and a few brushes, I'll guide you through the following techniques:
Toning the canvas
Dry brushing
Blended gradations
Layering
Dabbing
Cross-hatching
Impasto
Through a detailed, step-by-step landscape demonstration, you'll learn how to achieve stunning results and add depth, interest, and texture to your paintings. No mediums or pastes will be added, allowing you to focus on the pure power of brushwork.
00:00 Introduction
01:10 The Reference
01:21 The Paints
01:51 Tone the panel
03:09 Clean palette
03:25 Blending gradation
04:40 White paint tip
04:56 Dabbing strokes
08:44 Layering color
09:02 Cross hatching
10:16 Impasto
12:41 Stroke size
13:23 Dry brushing
15:08 Highlights and accents
17:23 Adding a figure
18:12 Reveal
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- Artists' Grade Gamsol Oil Color Size: 1 Liter: amzn.to/2tsbQve
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- H-Frame Artist's Easel: amzn.to/2Fn2UtK
- Canvas panels for practice: amzn.to/2Fmuuax

[@pattymcrory8084]

Wonderful demo! A real delight to watch. I think the mark of a great teacher is they inspire us to want to do it ourselves. You provide that inspiration. Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much for your kind comment

[@tendr247]

I’m going to rewatch this a dozen times!😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you!

[@fatherburning358]

So many very helpful lessons within this demonstration. I just love impressionism. Thank you 🙏

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure, thank you

[@elizabethlineham4065]

Thanku again Malcolm. This was so very helpful, especially concentrating on acrylics which is my only paint for now. Cheers, Liz ❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad to help

[@kamleshsunak3176]

Beautiful painting, thank you Malcolm.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Many thanks

[@gitajoneja1401]

Always a pleasure to see your tips and inspire us. Every time we learn something,Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Always a pleasure, thank you

[@christinegalysh7433]

Lovely painting. Thank you and all the best.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Many thanks

[@rowenapires9787]

Thank you Malcolm… I love the texture in this lesson!

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're very welcome!

[@user-eq2cw2db7h]

All of your paintings are so good, love to see you create the impressionist style, could follow you for hours , I'm still struggling to get that look, I will keep at it, great info 👍🖌️🎨 from Frances uk ♥️

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much!

[@piyaphanattagara4595]

Thank you so much!! It is a very nice painting and I‘d like to paint acrylic again 😃

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks, enjoy it.

[@KLeonardM]

So very lovely and so helpful. Thanks very much.

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are so welcome!

[@bettybrits6884]

This was very inspirational

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, thank you

[@zoewhite7705]

Thank you SO much for this, it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for! Acrylic so often looks fiat and plasticky, and I’ve been trying to get a more impressionist look. I’d love to see you do the same with some seascapes if you ever felt the urge.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Great, glad it helped.

[@dinailal6731]

All

[@dinailal6731]

All p

[@dinailal6731]

😊

[@40bdg]

I picked up some helpful tips, thank you! I appreciate your showing an acrylic lesson!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joywall9106]

Thanks love your ideals. You are so easy to follow.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks so much!

[@gwenboswell7181]

Thank you so much.I have bought several costly books on this subject.Your lesson is MUCH more informative.I need to join your group.😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

Absolutely 😊

[@abobakrhamid8005]

Hello Malcolm, you are amazing artist 🎨 I am 66 years old and I decided to paint because the art is inside me, so I believe still I can make it. I'm watching your videos in daily basis and you are an artist with real meaning of art. A. Hamid ( Northern Sudan)

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, and enjoy it. There is much art to create!

[@rebeccamoore4177]

Thank you!🎨

[@MalcolmDewey]

You’re welcome 😊

[@b.comeau2597]

What a delightful little painting, so filled with wonderful textures and colors! ❤❤❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much 😀

[@jillhunter7147]

Thank you! Inspiring!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks for watching!

[@jozykanart]

Fantastic video, I have started your course, just drawing at notans at this stage, thank you for making your tutorials so clear and easy to follow.

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're very welcome!

[@joywall9106]

Great tips. Thanks

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ZulkefliAbdGhani-fj4fx]

Very nice Painting. I like .i still always follow you channel

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much 😀

[@BOMBAY_CAT]

Beautiful painting, thanks Malcolm ❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

My pleasure 😊

[@melinayorke7462]

Thank you this helped me so much!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

I'm so glad!

[@rafaeltuts4044]

Thanks for this masterful demonstration and your concrete tips for enhancing the texture in acrylic landscapes. Your videos are so well done, they really create appetite to go and practice. Congratulations!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you very much! Most kind.

[@UltraBurner]

Nice. It turned out great,Malcolm. Thanks for the tips!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Any time!

[@davidmolloy126]

Thanks very much Malcolm for a great tutorial. Take care, David.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Very welcome

[@daniz3378]

Love your vidoes! Thanks for sharing your skills. Your colors are fantastic, i need to learn to mix better and properly desaturate.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much!

[@daniz3378]

@MalcolmDewey and I'm not going to lie, I love the way you say "shadows" haha your voice and accent are very soothing.

[@MalcolmDewey]

​@@daniz3378😊

[@123tabatha]

Fantastic Thankyou

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you too!

[@Sheena268]

Gorgeous painting! Thank you Malcolm, really inspirational, want to sit under that tree 😘

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much 😀

[@kambrose1549]

Beautiful nuanced colour!

[@129mar77]

Sempre molto belli e rilassanti i tuoi video

[@ritabykhovsky4175]

Thank you for the beneficial and enjoyable video. Blessings.

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are so welcome

[@ChristineR-oe7kn]

Thank you sooo much for this lesson. I am using acrylics ( and starting also with gouache after viewing your gouache painting videos ) and these tips are sooo useful. Your lesson reminds me how important it is to tone the canvas. Thank you again for all the tips, brushstroke and your wonderful way of using colours notes.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Its a pleasure, thank you

[@johncrane9478]

Love this painting and Impasto technique

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you so much!

[@davidbirch9558]

I have been thinking of trying acrylic and moving from oils.The way you have painted this scene encourages me to give it a try. Thank you

[@MalcolmDewey]

Go for it! They all have their quirks, and as you can see, acrylics can be very rewarding.

[@nancyadams8703]

Thank you! I also appreciate the acrylic painting demo and your generous tips! Curious on more instruction on colors for toning canvas - warm vs cool. Also, do you offer brushwork technique exercises? Always in awe of your brushwork! Many thanks!

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are welcome! How to Loosen Up Your Painting is one of my courses that covers brushwork, although that is covered in other courses too.

[@dulcieogilvie5786]

How lovely! You make it seem so easy!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you! 😊

[@bonniediener5413]

Thank you, that was really helpful! Love your reference photo too.

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are so welcome!

[@tendr247]

I just finished my first try and will admit I ended up adding tiny dots in white and making tiny details but my second attempt is a bit rougher……I already have someone asking me to sell it to them but of course my insecurities go into a panic because I’ve sold abstract dog paintings for almost nothing and I’m tired of not really making a profit. …I love this painting you’re doing.!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Very good, please increase your prices and see what happens ❤️

[@vesnabreskvar9082]

Another cheerful painting in beautiful clean colors! I love it !Thank you Malcolm!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, Vesna! 😊

[@nathaliartist]

Gracias 🎨🏡✨

[@MalcolmDewey]

😊

[@maisie6904]

Gosh you just get better x

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you 😊

[@pennyhenley6452]

absolutely fabulous...you make it look so easy and just love your colour mixing....is the painting speeded up or is that your normal speed of painting?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you! Yes, it is slightly speeded up with gaps removed.

[@jalehraoufi-fm7id]

It was fantastic, thank you so much. Is it possible to show the focal point as well.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you. From the figure to the left tree shadow.

[@NatalyKenny-wz5zw]

So beautiful!!!! Thank you, Malcolm ❤️ 😘 💓

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Nataly!

[@user-xr8hd8xv7d]

❤

[@danchristensen7270]

Thank you for that inspiring video! I wonder if you could comment of the use of broken colour in a clear night sky in William Christopher's "Venice, Moonlight" (1925). How do you think that effect was achieved?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks, it does appear to be a drybrush technique applying color in dabs - probably light over dark, in oils. Building up layers. Also warm against cool ascending and cooling.

[@danchristensen7270]

@@MalcolmDewey Thanks!

[@mariadialog8368]

I've been following you for a while. I'm a beginner. I painted in acrylics, in transparent layers, also using water.I would like to try to paint in your style (impasto, for example).I saw that you mix colors and paint very quickly. What does a beginner do to master this technique, considering the fact that acrylics dry quite quickly, apart from sprinkling them with water. And what does a beginner do to start painting in acrylics in the impasto technique, which involves using only color, without water? Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Good questions - my latest video may also be helpful - 5 Tips for Color Vibrancy. Besides practice, it is very helpful to plan ahead. Sketch, maybe do a small study first, consider the colors you want. Then you will paint much faster. Quick drying helps with layering so that is good for building up a thicker area in the scene.

[@mariadialog8368]

Thank you very much for the answer. And for everything you post on you tube.

[@sugial]

Thank you very much. I am learning a lot !. I did not see you are using water with the acrylics paintings. Is that right ? Can you pls tell me which kind of palette are you using ?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Very little water for these paints, mainly to clean the brush., then dry off excess water. It is a tear-off palette - various brands available.

[@sugial]

@@MalcolmDewey Thank you

[@user-yn4vu8tj8u]

Beautiful! Can this picture be done with oils?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks, yes no problem with oils. In this style the two mediums are very similar.

[@conversationswithcanvas]

What a fabulous tutorial!!! I’ve bought 4 courses of yours on Udemy They are such a treasure ❤ My acrylic paintings when wet look like there’s texture but dry out flat Could you help me with that

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you like them! This painting too is physically fairly flat compared to an oil painting, but it looks textured. That is the trade off but it looks as good as an oil painting. If actualy depth of materials is important then you will be looking at texture pastes. You can of course keep layering your regular acrylics in certain areas to get more physical texture. It will settle some, but that is the nature of the paint.

[@conversationswithcanvas]

@@MalcolmDewey Thanks for responding So it is fairly flat but your 7 techniques give it a textured feel Great 👍🏼 Will work on incorporating these tips Thanks

[@predragprevolsek967]

This painting with acrylic paint is beautiful. Is Amsterdam acrylic paint haevy body paint?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, no these are regular acrylics. Good value for money.

[@predragprevolsek967]

@@MalcolmDewey Ooooo! Thanks for information. I was used Rosa Gallery from Ukraina, and, it is exellent paint too.

[@MalcolmDewey]

@@predragprevolsek967 thank you

[@bradfordyorks5055]

how do you decide on the colors used to tone the panel? Thanks in advance

[@MalcolmDewey]

Sunny scenes seem to work best with rich warm tones. Burnt sienna and reds are good.

[@bradfordyorks5055]

@@MalcolmDewey Thanks, it's appreciated