Can you Paint on Paper with Acrylic?

Definitely! If you're looking for a full step by step tutorial that you can follow along with visually, I've made a YouTube video all about the process, including priming your pages with gesso and mixing your colours. If you're looking for a detailed written breakdown, keep reading!

Please note: the links below are affiliate links (Amazon) and I may receive a small commission should you purchase the product as a result of my recommendation. However, I believe in integrity above all else, so I will only ever recommend products that I personally use and have tested. 

Which Sketchbook is Best for Painting?

For my sketchbook, I am using a Strathmore watercolor sketchbook with cold press paper. However, the only reason that I am currently using this is because I started it when it was the only book I had available, and I’d like to complete this book before moving on to the next one. Were I to start again, I’d consider going with the Stillman and Birn Zeta series, because I have grown to love the feeling of hot press paper. I find that cold press has the tendency to inhale my paint instead of allowing it to glide across the page, while hot press’s smooth surface is more conducive to blending. However, this has yet to be fully tested, so I’ll do another comparison down the road once I get the opportunity to explore hot press with acrylic.

Should I add Gesso to the Pages?

When I first started painting on paper, I wasn’t sure if I should use gesso or not, so the first few spreads I didn’t use it, and in later spreads I did, and I far preferred the experience. The gesso forms a very thin layer between the paint and the paper, which helps prevent the paint from absorbing into the paper immediately. If you’re frustrated by acrylic paint’s dry time on canvas, it is even faster on paper. The gesso helps with this.

First, clip your pages together with binder clips to prevent them from buckling when the gesso is added. I typically do the full spread (both pages) all at once, since I have all of the supplies out anyways. My favourite gesso is Liquitex Professional’s artist grade gesso, since it’s so easy to apply. Squirt some straight out of the bottle, apply with a foam brush, and you’re good to go.

Do You Tape the Edges of Your Acrylic Painting Sketchbook?

I prefer to, yes. I did a spread where I used rough edges, and I really didn't like the look. I like the tape because it gives a nice clean line, almost like I've matted or framed the final painting. For tape, I like to use Frog Tape Delicate or Scotch Tape Delicate.  

Why Does Acrylic Dry So Fast on Paper?

Acrylic is known for its incredibly aggressive dry time, which seems to be even faster on paper than canvas. The reason for this is the absorption of the paper; it wants to inhale the paint. So if you're applying your paints and you're noticing that it's drying immediately, you're not doing anything wrong.

How Do You Blend Acrylic Paint on Paper?

Here's the secret: I try not to. I blend the colours on the palette instead, then cheat it by brushing wet onto dry. You can definitely do some blending on the paper itself, but you have to move super quick. 

My hack is that if I'm trying to blend two colours together, I'll use two different brushes for the blend, but also blend a third colour together on the palette itself. For example, if I want to blend a lighter blue into a dark blue, I'll mix a medium blue onto the palette. Then I can blend the light into the medium and the medium into the dark.

Do You Use Medium When Painting with Acrylic on Paper?

Personally...no. I found it made the paint too transparent and finicky. It's easier for me to just work on a wet palette, which adds just a hint of moisture to the paints and prevents them from getting too thick. I also find that it barely improves the dry time, so it's just not worth introducing them since I find them unpredictable. 

If you must use medium to help with the flower of your paints, I typically use just a bit of matte medium. I prefer it to glossy medium because it makes the work easier to photograph/film without the sheen.

Do You Varnish Your Acrylic Paintings on Paper?

I don't, but that doesn't mean you can't! I haven't really experimented with it yet. Acrylic paintings don't need the varnishing protection the same way that oil paintings do. I varnish my acrylic paintings on canvas simply because I like how the sheen brings back the depth of the colours and adds a layer of protection for shipping or transportation, but it isn't necessary. My favourite varnish is Kamar by Krylon. 

Do Your Acrylic Painting Pages Stick Together? How Do I Stop Them from Sticking?

Okay, I get this question a lot. The truth is that my pages don't really stick together, and I think it's for a few reasons. First, I don't use thick layers of paint, they're pretty thin. Second, I think the quality of my pages helps them retain enough stiffness to prevent them from gluing together. Think of tissue paper wanting to stick to itself versus cardboard. My pages are super thick and dense, which I think really helps. I also have a theory that the cold press paper dimples also prevent too much surface contact, which might also help. 

I'm going to be testing out some varnishes and sealants in the future, and I will update this website and blog post with my results! 

I hope you found this blog post about painting on paper with acrylic useful, let me know in the comments if you have any questions! Happy painting!