Will Acrylic Paint Work on Paper? A Step-by-Step Guide for Artists

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Will acrylic paint work on paper?”—the short answer is yes! Acrylic paint can absolutely be used on paper, and when done right, it opens up an affordable, flexible, and creative way to explore acrylic painting in your sketchbook or studio practice.

I personally loooooove painting on paper. As a digital immigrant (meaning, I was around before the internet), I can remember bringing rolls of film into the drug store to be developed. Even though we all have cameras at our fingertips now, it's rare that I'll actually have photos printed and developed, but this sketchbook feels even better than that. These paintings are like a visual diary of my life, and I absolutely love it. 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to paint with acrylics on paper step by step, from surface prep to blending techniques. Whether you’re working in a sketchbook or using loose sheets, this method will help you create rich, layered paintings that pop from the page—without needing a canvas.

Why Use Acrylic Paint on Paper?

Painting with acrylics on paper has a lot of benefits:

• Cost-effective: Paper is more affordable than canvas.

• Portable: Great for sketchbooks and on-the-go practice.

• Faster workflow: Ideal for studies, thumbnails, or daily painting challenges.

• Great for experimentation: Less pressure than a finished canvas piece.

But to make acrylics work well on paper, you’ll need the right materials and a bit of preparation.

Step 1: Choose the Right Paper for Acrylic Painting

While technically any paper can accept acrylic paint, not all paper is created equal. Here's what to consider:

✅ Best Paper for Acrylic Painting:

• Heavyweight (at least 140 lb / 300 gsm) to prevent warping.

• Watercolor paper: Cold press has texture; hot press is smooth. I'm currently using the Strathmore Watercolor Journal, and I absolutely love it, even though it's got the pebbly cold press texture. 

• Mixed media paper: Thicker and designed for wet media. You can absolutely use this, but I still prefer the weight of watercolor paper. 

• Stillman & Birn Zeta series: My personal favorite—smooth hot press heavyweight watercolor paper, ideal for acrylic, oil, and gouache.

❌ Paper to Avoid:

• Lightweight sketching paper (too thin).

• Printer paper (warps immediately).

If you’re using a sketchbook, make sure the paper is labeled for wet media or watercolour use. I recommend either Stillman & Birn or Strathmore. 

Step 2: Prep the Paper with Gesso

If you’re wondering, “Do I need to prime paper for acrylic paint?”—the answer is: it helps a lot.

Why Prime with Gesso?

Acrylic paint dries incredibly fast on paper, often before you have a chance to blend. Adding a layer of gesso creates a slight barrier that:

• Slows down absorbency

• Makes blending easier

• Prevents paint from soaking in unevenly

How to Apply Gesso:

1. Secure the page: Use binder clips to reduce buckling.

2. Apply gesso: I use Liquitex Professional Gesso and a foam brush.

3. Dry completely: Let dry fully before painting (you can rotate clips to ensure even coverage).

4. Optional: Tape edges: Use Scotch 3M delicate painter’s tape to get clean lines.

Pro tip: Don’t worry about little dents or imperfections—this is a sketchbook, not a museum piece. Let it be real!

Step 3: Protect Your Sketchbook

If you’re working across a spread:

• Use painter’s tape and a piece of scrap paper to cover up and protect the opposite page, especially if you have finished pieces on it.

• Doing this keeps blank pages safe for future work.

This small extra step can save you from accidental smudges or spills.

Step 4: Set Up a Wet Palette

One of the best acrylic painting tips I can offer is using a homemade wet palette. Acrylics dry quickly—especially on absorbent surfaces like paper—so keeping your paints wet for longer is a game changer.

How to Make a Wet Palette:

1. Line a tray with 3 layers of damp paper towel.

2. Place a sheet of wax paper on top.

3. Keep your paints on the wax paper.

Be careful not to oversaturate the towels—too much water can dilute your paints and cause streaks on the page.

Step 5: Mix Your Colors Before You Begin

Paper doesn’t give you much blending time. Pre-mix your major color families and have a separate brush for each.

If you're used to painting on a canvas, it might be tempting to try to blend your colors on the paper instead of on the palette. This is setting yourself up for frustration and heartache, because of the speedy dry time. The workaround is to blend your colors on a wet palette instead of the actual piece of paper. 

Step 6: Tape Your Horizon

If your painting includes a landscape or seascape, use painter’s tape to mark a straight horizon line. It helps keep things balanced and avoids the dreaded "tilted sky."

You can even measure it to be sure—it’s a small detail that makes a big difference.

Trust me, there is nothing that ruins a painting (or even a photo) faster than a wonky horizon line. 

Step 7: Think Like a Camera Lens

This tip helps your painting feel more realistic:

Start blurry, end sharp.

Let's use the below YouTube tutorial that I created as an example: 

When painting water or complex textures:

• Begin with blended background shapes.

• Slowly sharpen focal areas as the painting progresses.

• Add pure white (if at all) at the very end for highlights.

Water isn’t always pure blue or white. Add greyed tones, subtle greens, or warm neutrals for realism.

Common Questions About Painting Acrylic on Paper

Can you paint with acrylics on any paper?

Technically yes, but lightweight paper will warp and can’t hold up to layers. Stick with thick, quality paper for the best experience.

Do you have to use gesso?

Not necessarily—but using gesso improves blendability and prevents the paint from sinking into the paper immediately. It’s worth the extra minute.

Will acrylic paint ruin paper?

If your paper is too thin or unprimed, it may buckle, warp, or even tear with too much moisture. Always test first.

Final Thoughts: Yes, Acrylic Paint Works on Paper—With a Few Smart Tweaks

Using acrylic paint on paper is an excellent way to practice, experiment, and create beautiful art in a sketchbook or on individual sheets. With the right prep—gesso, proper paper, and a thoughtful approach—you’ll get vibrant, clean results that rival canvas work.

Want to paint along with me? Download the my free acrylic painting eBook. You’ll get step-by-step guidance and tips like these delivered straight to your inbox.

If you liked this blog post, check out: Acrylic Painting on Paper - Key Tips for Beginners