4 Must-Know Tips for Painting Flowers and Leaves
Acrylic painting is one of the most accessible and forgiving mediums for beginners. It's fast-drying, vibrant, and versatile—but that doesn't mean it comes without challenges. When I started my journey with acrylics, I made quite a few mistakes myself! Over time, I learned to work with the medium rather than fight it.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through 4 common mistakes beginners make in acrylic for stroke painting , along with practical tips to help you overcome them.
1. How to use water as the medium?
Many beginners tend to overload their brush with water, hoping it will make the paint smoother. But acrylics are water-based—not watercolor—and too much water can dilute the pigment and break down the paint’s adhesive quality.
Tip: Dampen your brush slightly, then blot off excess water with a tissue or cloth before picking up paint (Refer to the image below)
(If you want a thinner consistency and are afraid of using water as the medium, use an acrylic medium instead of plain water for better flow and vibrancy)
2. Practice the brush strokes thoroughly before you begin painting flowers or leaves.
Practice the brush strokes thoroughly before you start painting the flowers. This will help you gain better control and confidence, resulting in smoother and more expressive floral designs.
Tips to Practice Brush Strokes
- Use the right brush – Ideally, a ½″ or ¾″ brush with large bristles. Bigger brushes offer better control and smoother strokes, especially for beginners.
- Load paint properly – Avoid overloading; keep it smooth and even.
- Start with basics – Practice basic strokes like shell strokes, teardrop strokes, comma strokes, and more. You can find detailed instructions and visuals in my eBooks.
- Repeat each stroke – Repeat each stroke as many times as needed until you see noticeable improvement and feel more confident with your brush control.
- Combine strokes – Form simple petals and leaves.
- Observe & adjust – Watch pressure and angle for better control.
3. Allow Layers to Dry Before Painting Next Petals
Impatience often leads beginners to paint over wet layers, which can cause colors to mix unintentionally.
Tip: Let each layer dry before applying the next. If you’re painting petals for the first time, be sure to wait for each layer to dry properly before adding the next. ( A hairdryer on low heat works wonders.)
4. Use Quality Brushes or Paints
Cheap brushes often shed bristles, don’t hold paint well, and create streaky strokes. Low-quality paints usually have weak pigment, resulting in dull, lifeless colors.
Tip: Invest in good-quality art supplies. You don’t need dozens of brushes—just a few reliable ones. (Psst—I've spent 8 years perfecting my custom brushes for just this reason. They're beginner-friendly and built to last!)
Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes
Trying to be perfect can hold you back. Fear of messing up keeps many beginners from experimenting or finishing a painting.
Tip: Remember, acrylics are forgiving! You can always paint over a mistake once it dries. Enjoy the process, and trust that every brushstroke teaches you something new.
Final Thoughts
Every artist was once a beginner. Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re part of the learning curve. If you’ve made any of these mistakes, don’t worry. The most important thing is that you keep painting, keep learning, and most of all, keep enjoying the journey.
Have you made any of these mistakes? Or maybe you’ve found your own clever fixes? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you for being here. If you found this helpful, let me know in the comments or share it with someone who might enjoy it. Happy painting.
Tags: acrylic painting for beginners acrylic painting inspiration acrylic painting supplies acrylic painting techniques beginner acrylic painting tips beginner's guide canvas for acrylic painting