Isaac Levitan and the Art of Painting CloudsWhat makes clouds so hard to paint?
Here's the honest truth: most artists — especially acrylic painters — avoid painting clouds. And I get it. The variations are so subtle. The edges are so soft. The colors shift almost imperceptibly from one zone to th...
There’s something deeply calming—and exciting—about painting landscapes. Today, we’re diving into a vibrant mountain scene filled with bold colors, intentional brushstrokes, and a touch of imagination.
Whether you’re...
To create a landscape painting from scratch, start with a simple sketch on a gray-toned canvas, then build your painting in layers — beginning with the darkest values and working toward midtones, highlights, and details. Using...
There’s something deeply satisfying about bringing a landscape to life on canvas—especially when you approach it with intention, simplicity, and the right techniques. In this tutorial, we walk through how to paint a beautiful hill...
To paint a desert sunset, start by blocking in dark foreground silhouettes like cacti, then build a vibrant sky gradient using yellows, oranges, reds, and blues. Blend colors softly from warm tones near the horizon to cool tones above. The contrast betw...
Do you want to create more atmosphere in your paintings?
Maybe you’re looking to add depth, fogginess, or that soft misty feeling in the air.
In this short lesson, I’ll walk you through how I create atmosphere in acrylic painting—specifica...
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What I really want to share with you, though, is something that often surprises people:
I mostly use just one type of brush.
They’re flat brushes.
People ask me all the time what brushes I use, expecting a long list of specialty to...
Painting Glorious Golden Light: A Mountain Scene in Acrylic
Today, I want to show you exactly how to paint a beautiful mountain scene filled with glorious golden light. It’s going to be a lot of fun—so let’s jump right in!
Starting with a Black Canvas

I like to begin on a black canvas. Paint...












Acrylic University (AU) has become a beloved resource for artists at every stage of their journey. Offering expert instruction, an expansive library of lessons, and a warm, supportive community, AU has inspired countless artist...
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Acrylic painting is one of the most versatile and accessible forms of painting. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, having the right tools can make all the difference in your creative process. In this post, we'll go over the essential sup...