Online Class: Acrylic Painting 101

Explore and expand your creative capabilities with this unique acrylic painting course. You'll learn everything there is to know about acrylics and you'll get to practice all the techniques and styles associated with each lesson and share your masterpieces with the instructor and classmates.

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$95.00
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$95.00 (with CEU Certificate)
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  • 16
    Lessons
  • 38
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 4,109
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 14
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.4
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

Welcome to the world of acrylic painting, an art world full of versatility and bright, bold colors. Because acrylics are water based, it offers opacity (meaning you can paint right over your mistakes) that makes this medium especially appealing to beginners. On the other hand, experienced artists can take full advantage of the unique properties that acrylics offer and push the boundaries beyond their current artistic capabilities.

WHAT ARE ACRYLICS?

What exactly are acrylic paints? In scientific terms, acrylic paint is a pigment that is suspended in a binder of an acrylic polymer emulsion. In simple words, acrylics are liquid plastics. When acrylics dry, you can peel them right off your palette! Acrylics are water soluble and water is the vehicle for binding the paint. This is different from oil paints where the binder is Linseed oil or turpentine. The main advantage of acrylics being water soluble is the drying time. An acrylic painting can dry completely in less than an hour and even faster if you use something like a blow dryer, whereas oil paintings can take days to dry. Water is also very useful as a tool to help blend acrylic paints.
There are products on the market called acrylic retarders, which slow down the drying time. Retarders are made of glycerol or glycerin based products. These are useful when you have several colors of paint on your palette at the same time and want to spend a longer time at your canvas. The retarders also help to blend the paint much better on your canvas, as the paint is slow to dry because water evaporation decreases. Acrylic paints are so versatile and lend themselves to many styles of painting. Just like oils and watercolors, acrylics have their own set of characteristics and attributes. They are nontoxic and do not have any smell which makes them a great medium for children to work with. When painting with acrylics, you can create an amazing blend of vivid colors, or make the paint thick like impasto. When adding water and other mediums to the paint, you can make acrylics look thin and watery, like a watercolor painting.
The range of texture and effects that you can use with acrylics is endless. Even using simple products from around the house with acrylics such as sponges, saran wrap, tissue paper, or plastic forks all lend themselves to creating unique compositions. Another exciting quality about acrylics is that you can paint on just about any surface. Beside paper and canvas, acrylics can be painted on wood, glass, plastic, bricks, clothing, leather, or pottery. There are no limitations here. When a piece of art work is completed, you can cover it with a glossy, matte, or smooth finish. There is no need to put glass over your painting when framing. The possibilities of how to work with acrylics are endless.
Courses Frequently Bought Together:
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.6 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(2,024 votes)

Lesson 1. Introduction to Acrylic Painting

Welcome to the world of acrylic painting, an art world full of versatility and bright, bold colors. 210 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Favorite Style of Art Composition; Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete: Assignment 1
  • Complete Assignment: What Do You Think?
  • Assessment: Exam 1

Lesson 2. That Glorious Paint

Acrylic paint comes in two different styles including student paint, and professional paint. 210 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 2A
  • Complete: Assignment 2B
  • Assessment: Exam 2

Lesson 3. Selecting Other Supplies

Now that you have your paint, you need to obtain the rest of the supplies so you can begin painting. 110 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 3
  • Assessment: Exam 3

Lesson 4. COLOR ~ COLOR ~ COLOR

Color Sense, Color Blending, and Color Theory. 210 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 4A
  • Complete: Assignment 4B
  • Assessment: Exam 4

Lesson 5. The Versatility of Acrylics

Acrylic paints have an amazing set of characteristics, one of which includes versatility. 210 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 5A
  • Complete: Assignment 5B
  • Assessment: Exam 5

Lesson 6. Vocabulary, Texture, and Design

This lesson will help you with some terminology we have not yet discussed that you might come across as you pursue your skills. Additional lesson topics: Abstract Acrylic Textured painting Demonstration by Millie Gift Smith; James Kruse Acrylic Drip Technique. Origins beginning, 36x24; Several Acrylic Painting Techniques with Chris Cozen; Wax resist painting: The Rainbow Fish; Debbie Arnold- Acrylic Texture with Plastic Wrap 210 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 6A
  • Complete: Assignment 6B
  • Assessment: Exam 6

Lesson 7: Basic Painting

When you get out your paper and canvas, here are some things to think about before you start painting. 126 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Artistic Experience
  • Complete: Assignment 7
  • Assessment: Exam 7

Lesson 8. Painting a Still Life

In this lesson we will talk about how to paint a still life. 210 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete Assignment: Assignnment 8A
  • Complete: Assignment 8B
  • Assessment: Exam 8

Lesson 9. Painting Landscapes and Seascapes

Painting scenery is probably the most common type of composition for artists. Nevertheless, like a still life, there are some important components to laying down a landscape. 110 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 9
  • Assessment: Exam 9

Lesson 10. Painting Animals and Portraits

The best way to paint an animal is to first pick what you want to paint and then break it down into sections. 110 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 10
  • Assessment: Exam 10

Lesson 11. Painting Abstracts

Many artists like to paint more freely, more informally. Perhaps they are attracted to the wide diversity of color and texture or want to be more creative with their expression of art. This is called non-representational or abstract art. 110 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 11
  • Assessment: Exam 11

Lesson 12. Creating Your Own Composition

An artist takes time, needs patience, and thoughtfully thinks about the paint, brushes, and the other tools necessary to be creative. 100 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 12

Lesson 13. Creating Compositions Using Tools

Using the right tools make all the difference in how your art project will fare. 110 Total Points
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 13
  • Assessment: Exam 13

Lesson 14. Mixed Media

In this lesson we will be discussing mixed media and variety of ideas on how to accomplish a piece of mixed media art. 110 Total Points
  • Lesson 14 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 14
  • Assessment: Exam 14

Lesson 15. Moving Forward

For this lesson, let us discuss the final touches. 200 Total Points
  • Lesson 15 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Challenges
  • Complete: Assignment 15A
  • Complete: Assignment 15B

Final Exam

Final Exam 240 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Let us know what you think of this course; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Complete Assignment: Your Rules
  • Complete Assignment: FINAL THOUGHTS
  • Assessment: Final Exam
2586
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Describe and define what acrylic painting is.
  • Identify the supplies you need for acrylic painting.
  • Demonstrate understanding of how to work with color in acrylic painting.
  • Summarize the versatility of acrylics.
  • Summarize vocabulary, texture, and design.
  • Demonstrate basic painting techniques.
  • Demonstrate painting a still life.
  • Demonstrate painting landscapes and seascapes.
  • Demonstrate painting animals and portraits.
  • Demonstrate painting abstracts.
  • Demonstrate creating compositions using tools.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Acrylic Painting 101
Course Number: 8900321
Lessons Rating: 4.6 / 5 Stars (2,024 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, and Washington.
Last Updated: August 2022
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 1.4 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: Nancy Fillip
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $95.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "The instructor was so knowledgeable and it was great to have her share her own and others artwork. I loved all of her suggestions to keep it fun and it was." -- Madeleine A.
  • "Instructor Fillip was very helpful with her critique of my paintings. Her feedback was always done promptly and in a timely manner." -- Nancy S.
  • "I really enjoyed my first ever online class! I cannot wait for the next one which I have already started on which is how to draw and I am glad that I have the same instructor. She is very clear and I look forward to working with her." -- Sandra M.
  • "I loved the instructor she was clear in her explanations and she is very motivating." -- Astrid L.
  • "I thoroughly enjoyed this course and the instructor was great!" -- Geraldine N.
  • "She gave positive criticism that was very useful." -- Tamara S.
  • "I enjoyed the art course and the instructor. The instructor was very nice with her time regarding any of my questions or requests." -- Doreen F.