7 Best-Selling Acrylics Painting Books Millions Love

The breakthrough moment came when Alan Harrison distilled his extensive experience into a visual encyclopedia that captures the full range of acrylic painting techniques. You get a clear, illustrated guide that covers everything from blending and glazing to detailed portrait and landscape work, with over 30 techniques demonstrated step-by-step. This book is designed for painters who want to deepen their practical skills and experiment confidently with acrylics, whether you're refining brushwork or exploring new effects. Its reference section adds value by making it easy to revisit techniques as you progress. If you’re serious about mastering acrylics beyond the basics, this book offers a solid foundation without overwhelming you.

Lorena Kloosterboer, with over 25 years as an internationally exhibited photorealist artist, offers a deep dive into acrylic painting that balances technical mastery with creative freedom. You’ll explore everything from types of acrylics and essential materials to nuanced techniques like glazing, scumbling, and airbrushing, alongside practical advice on studio setup and professional practices. The book even ventures into subjects like ethical behavior in the art community and how to present and promote your work, making it useful whether you’re just starting or seeking to refine your craft. Its detailed sections on textures, surfaces, and subjects — from metal reflections to skin tones — equip you with skills to elevate your paintings beyond basics.

This tailored acrylic painting book explores battle-tested methods carefully matched to your unique artistic challenges and background. It covers essential acrylic techniques such as layering, glazing, color mixing, and brushwork, with a focus on approaches that resonate with your specific interests and skill level. By combining widely validated knowledge with your personal goals, this book reveals how to overcome common acrylic hurdles and refine your style efficiently. The content engages you through personalized instruction, emphasizing practical exploration of acrylic properties and creative expression. This personalized resource empowers you to deepen your mastery by addressing your precise challenges and artistic vision.

What sets this book apart is Gill Barron's extensive four decades of professional experience distilled into accessible painting guidance. You get practical insights on mixing colors, creating effects with a limited palette, and even crafting your own tools to save costs. The book caters to everyone from novices following clear step-by-step processes to seasoned artists seeking solutions to specific challenges, with special "Try it and Fix it" sections that encourage skill development. Barron also unveils professional strategies for promoting your art, making this a useful guide for painters wanting to grow both creatively and commercially.

When Lee Hammond first realized that many aspiring painters struggled with landscapes because of overcomplicated techniques, she developed a straightforward approach to acrylic painting that makes capturing nature approachable and enjoyable. You learn how to create believable skies, trees, grasses, and water using just a few colors and simple brushwork, with sixteen paint-along projects that keep you motivated without overwhelming complexity. Hammond’s three-step method helps you achieve depth, mood, and texture without needing a vast palette or years of experience. This book is ideal if you want to start painting landscapes quickly without getting bogged down in technical jargon or advanced theory.

R. Bradford Johnson, with a deep understanding of painting techniques, offers a clear and approachable guide to acrylic painting that demystifies this popular medium. You’ll explore a range of techniques including stippling, wet-into-wet blending, scraping, spattering, and masking, all tailored specifically for acrylics. The book also guides you through painting various subjects, such as landscapes, with practical instructions on tool selection and color use. If you’re looking to build foundational skills or expand your acrylic repertoire with hands-on methods, this book suits you well. Its straightforward approach means it’s less about theory and more about getting you painting confidently with acrylics.

This tailored book explores a focused 30-day plan to accelerate your acrylic painting skills, blending widely validated techniques with your unique artistic background and goals. It covers essential painting principles such as color mixing, brushwork, layering, and composition, all tailored to match your experience level and areas of interest. By concentrating on a step-by-step progression, it reveals how to build skills efficiently without overwhelming you with unnecessary detail. The personalized approach ensures your learning aligns with your specific objectives, whether improving landscapes, portraits, or abstract techniques. This book encourages hands-on practice and reflection, making your acrylic journey both engaging and productive by focusing on what matters most to you.

Charles Evans' decades of experience as a leading British painter and art instructor culminate in this accessible guide designed specifically for those new to acrylic painting. You’ll learn foundational skills such as light and shade techniques, color mixing, and working from photographs, all presented through six carefully structured projects that range from landscapes to animals. The book’s approachable style, combined with reusable outline drawings, makes it easier to build confidence and develop your own style without feeling overwhelmed. If you're just starting out or seeking a friendly introduction to acrylics, this book offers practical guidance tailored to your pace and interests.

Lee Hammond's journey as an artist shines through in this guide, crafted to help you overcome the common hurdles of acrylic painting. She breaks down complex techniques into manageable lessons, teaching you how to mix colors effectively and build depth in your work by layering strokes patiently. The book is particularly strong in guiding you through accurate proportions for still lifes and capturing the nuances of people and animals, like realistic eyes and textures. Whether you're tackling landscapes or portraits, Hammond's approachable style encourages you to move beyond hesitation toward confident creation, making it a solid choice if you want to paint with clarity and skill.