The Best Acrylic Painting Book I’ve Ever Read (And How It Changed My Life)

If you’ve been searching for the best acrylic painting book for beginners, or you're a self-taught artist looking to level up your painting skills, I’ve got a book recommendation that genuinely changed my life - and I don’t say that lightly.

Whether you're new to acrylic painting, coming back after a break, or just want to stop spinning your wheels and start painting with more confidence, Painting in Acrylics: The Indispensable Guide by Lorena Kloosterboer might be the one book that transforms your journey, just like it did for me.

Let me tell you the story...and share the top lessons that make this book a must-have.

If you're interested in buying the book, you can find that here (please note, this is an Amazon affiliate link, and I may earn a small commission if you choose to buy the book). 

If you'd prefer to watch the YouTube video I made, you can do that below:

Why I Believe This Is the Best Book on Acrylic Painting for Beginners

There are thousands of painting tutorials, online classes, and resources out there, so what makes this acrylic painting book so special?

The simple answer: it taught me how to paint.

In the summer of 2015, I was still a graduate student working on my Master of Education degree. I was attending a major academic conference in Ottawa when I snuck away to visit the National Gallery of Canada. On the way out, I stopped in the gift shop and bought this book - Painting in Acrylics - even though I was a broke student and it felt like a massive splurge.

That night, I stayed in a converted jail hostel (yes, actual jail cells with bars!) and stayed up reading the entire book cover to cover. It was the first time I truly understood how acrylic painting worked—and I’ve been painting professionally ever since.

Who Is This Acrylic Painting Book For?

• Total beginners who’ve never picked up a brush

• Self-taught artists looking to fill in the gaps

• Intermediate painters wanting to strengthen their foundations

• Anyone overwhelmed by the endless art supply options

It’s also packed with step-by-step tutorials, examples, and deep dives into professional-level practices - so even experienced artists will find value here.

Top Lessons I Learned from Painting in Acrylics

1. You Don’t Need Every Colour Under the Sun

When I started out, I made the classic beginner mistake: walking into the art store and picking up a random red paint that “looked right.” In my case, it was cadmium red medium - $40 later, I realized it wasn’t what I needed.

Lorena Kloosterboer recommends a limited palette of just five colours:

• Alizarin Crimson

• Cadmium Yellow Light

• Ultramarine Blue

• Burnt Umber

• Titanium White

These became the workhorses of my palette and taught me to mix a wide range of hues without needing a dozen tubes of paint. For beginners, this takes away the guesswork - and the overwhelm.

2. Layering Is Everything in Acrylic Painting

Acrylics dry fast. That can be frustrating when you’re first starting out, especially when your early layers look patchy or transparent. This book walks you through how to think in layers, with clear examples of how to build depth, light, and realism.

Some of my favourite examples from the book include:

• Glazing to paint reflective candy wrappers

• Layering techniques for forest landscapes

• Painting a glass bowl with believable transparency

Even if the book doesn’t explicitly call these “layering lessons,” they’re embedded throughout the demos - and they’ve shaped how I build up my paintings to this day.

3. The Chapter That Made Me Feel Like a Professional Artist

Chapter 6, titled “Be a Pro,” is packed with tips that I wish every self-taught artist had from the beginning. Things like:

• Where to sign your painting

• How to photograph your work

• Attaching hanging hardware

• Choosing a frame that elevates your piece

• Titling your artwork with intention

Even if you’re not planning to sell your paintings, this chapter helps you approach your art with professionalism, and that’s a mindset shift that makes a huge difference.

What’s Actually in the Book?

Painting in Acrylics: The Indispensable Guide covers way more than just the basics. Here’s a quick look at some of the key topics it includes:

• Acrylic painting materials and how to use them

• Colour theory and how to mix vibrant, accurate hues

• Brush techniques, textures, and blending
  

• Painting specific subjects like portraits, still life, landscapes, and animals

• Using mediums and glazing for transparency and depth

• Studio tips for setup, workflow, and finishing your work

And if you’re a total beginner, don’t worry. It’s written in a very accessible way, with high-quality visuals and step-by-step progressions for many of the featured pieces.

Why I Still Use This Book 10 Years Later

I’ve been painting for over a decade now, and I’ve taught thousands of students through my courses on acrylic and oil painting. But I still come back to this book.

Whenever I flip through it, I find little gems I missed, or techniques I haven’t used in a while. It’s one of those books that grows with you. Whether you're brand new to painting or a seasoned artist looking to refresh your process, it's a timeless resource.

Want More Help with Acrylic Painting?

If you found this helpful, you’ll love my free resources for artists! I’ve written free downloadable eBooks for both acrylic and oil painting, which have been downloaded by tens of thousands of artists around the world.

Click the link above to grab your free guide and get painting with more confidence, clarity, and joy.

FAQ: Best Acrylic Painting Book for Beginners and Self-Taught Artists

What is the best acrylic painting book for beginners?

In my opinion, the best acrylic painting book for beginners is Painting in Acrylics: The Indispensable Guide by Lorena Kloosterboer. It’s accessible, beautifully designed, and filled with practical guidance that will take you from confused to confident.

Is Painting in Acrylics a good book for self-taught artists?

Absolutely. I’m a self-taught artist myself, and this book filled in so many of the gaps I didn’t even realize I had. It covers everything from materials and mixing to finishing and photographing your work.

Can this book help intermediate or advanced acrylic painters?

Yes! While it's beginner-friendly, it also dives into topics like glazing, working in layers, painting glass and metal, and setting up a professional painting workflow. I still learn new things from it, even after ten years.

Do I need all the supplies mentioned in the book to get started?

Nope! One of the best parts of the book is that it encourages a simplified, focused supply list. You can get started with just a few high-quality paints, brushes, and a surface to work on.

Is this book better than online tutorials?

Online tutorials are great, but a well-structured book like this gives you a cohesive, start-to-finish foundation. It’s something you can keep referencing as you grow, without having to jump between dozens of different YouTube videos.

If you'd like more...

If you found this blog helpful, you’ll love my Color Mixing with Acrylic course. It’s designed to help you build confidence with your palette and finally understand how to mix any color you need - with clarity and intention.

You can also sign up for my FREE 36 page Introduction to Acrylic Painting eBook and join over 11,000 artists on my email list for free weekly painting tips and tricks. 

If you're enjoying my blog, you should also check out this post: How to Paint on Paper with Acrylic - Full Painting Tutorial