• Before you begin select a versatile canvas that can accommodate your design.
  • For ideas you may want to begin by looking at what other artists have done.  You can do this by browsing through the American ArtParades book.
  • When you are ready to begin, start with a sharp pencil and begin to sketch your design.  Feel free to make adjustments and corrections.  It is the rare artist who gets a design right the first time.
  • Once your drawing is complete you will want to clean the surface, but dab carefully.  Don’t rub or your design will smear.
  • Now you can begin painting!  Most artists start with the background and work their way forward.  Some start in the foreground and work their way backwards.  Whatever order is best for your design should dictate what has to be done, but it is best to plan ahead. 
  • Acrylic paint usually requires at least two coats.  If you have flat areas of color in the background be sure to mix plenty of paint, and save what you have left.  You will likely need to touch up spots later, and it is almost impossible to mix wet paint to match dry paint.
  • Paint your background colors so they barely cover the outlines of your design, and try to feather the paint so that you don’t leave a ridge.  When you later work on the inside of the lines, paint to the outer edge of the lines.  You should end up with no lines showing through and no tiny unfilled spaces beside the lines.
  

 

  • Paint your background colors so they barely cover the outlines of your design, and try to feather the paint so that you don’t leave a ridge.  When you later work on the inside of the lines, paint to the outer edge of the lines.  You should end up with no lines showing through and no tiny unfilled spaces beside the lines.
  • If you are happy with your design, as a final step you may want to protect it with a clear acrylic spray, such as Krylon Matte Spray.  This will also make the colors pop.
  • We hope that you have enjoyed the adventure of painting and we invite you to send us your picture.

Mail To:    American ArtParades, LLC
                 P.O. Box 2629
                 Carefree, AZ 85377-2629

Email: info@americanartparades.com