5 Essential Acrylic Mixes Every Beginner Should Know

If you’re new to acrylic painting, understanding how the colors behave on paper can feel tricky. They dry fast, layer differently than watercolors, and sometimes don’t blend the way you expect. This week, we’re breaking it down step by step, sharing five essential acrylic mixes, swatching tips, and a mini demo to help you paint confidently.

Step 1: Preparing Your Paper

Start by lightly spraying clean water onto your paper with a spray bottle. You don’t want puddles—just an evenly damp surface. Using a large brush, gently spread the water across the page so the paint flows smoothly and harsh edges are avoided later. The paper should look slightly shiny but not soaking wet.

Step 2: Paint Overview & Swatches

This acrylic set includes eight colors: Crimson, Fluorescent Pink, Lemon Yellow Hue, Hooker’s Green, Phthalo Blue, Phoenix Violet, Titanium White, and Lamp Black.

Swatch each color on white paper to see the true hue and on black paper to check opacity and coverage. Some colors will naturally be more transparent—that’s a good thing, as it informs how to mix and layer later.

Step 3: 5 Essential Color Mixes

1. Natural Skin Tone

Mix Lemon Yellow and Crimson to start with a warm orange. Gradually add Titanium White to lighten the tone and adjust warmth. A tiny touch of green can neutralize overly pink tones.

2. Soft Shadow Grey

Mix Phthalo Blue and Crimson for a deep purple, then add Titanium White to soften into a natural grey. Perfect for shadows that feel rich but not flat.

3. Muted Olive Green

Hooker’s Green plus a touch of Lemon Yellow, muted with a little Crimson, creates a calm, earthy green. Ideal for landscapes that don’t feel too bright or artificial.

4. Soft Sky Blue

Phthalo Blue with Titanium White, then a hint of Lemon Yellow, gives a natural sky tone. Soft, subtle, and perfect for water, skies, and background elements.

5. Warm Neutral Beige

Lemon Yellow + Titanium White creates a light, warm base. Add a touch of Crimson for warmth and a hint of Phthalo Blue to neutralize. Great for backgrounds that make your subject pop.

Step 4: Mini Painting Demo

Apply these mixes to a small painting. Remember: acrylics dry quickly, so plan your blending and work in smaller sections. If the paint drags, thin slightly with water. Avoid overworking areas once they start drying. Mixing your own shadows instead of using black keeps the painting lively. Using a limited palette helps create cohesion and builds understanding of how colors interact.

My Final Painting

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Final Thoughts

Acrylics don’t have to be intimidating. Understanding how the paints behave—and practicing a few key mixes—can make them flexible, forgiving, and fun to use.

Want to see these techniques in action? Watch the full video tutorial on YouTube, where we walk through each mix, swatch the colors, and demonstrate a mini painting from start to finish. Click below to get inspired and start painting!

Watch the full video here: