How to Paint Flat Areas of Color in Acrylics

If you have ever struggled to make flat, even areas of color in your acrylic paintings, this tutorial is for you. I am sharing an easy method that works for both beginners and experienced artists. The full video is embedded below so you can watch it right on this page, and this article expands on what I show in the video.

Watch the video

Choosing the Right Paint for Smooth Results

The paint you choose makes a big difference when you want perfectly flat areas of color. You can use student grade acrylics like Dick Blick Studio Acrylics or Liquitex Basics, which are affordable and widely available at art stores and online. These will work, but you may need to put in a little extra effort to get a flawless finish. My personal favorite is Liquitex Soft Body in the professional grade range. It has a smoother consistency that naturally helps minimize visible brush strokes.

Professional soft body paint usually goes on more opaque and dries to a flatter, more even look. The pigment load is higher, so you get better coverage with fewer coats. That means less time going back over the same spot and more time painting the fun details. While student grade acrylics can still get you there, expect to use two or three coats if you are covering dark areas with light colors.

Using the Right Brush for the Job

Your brush can make or break this technique. A fresh, flat brush with bristles in great condition is essential. If your brush has frayed ends, it will leave unwanted lines in your paint. Using a smooth, flat brush allows you to lay down the paint evenly without dragging texture into the surface.

When loading your brush, start with a small amount of paint and apply it with gentle, even strokes. If you notice faint lines, lightly brush over them in the opposite direction to smooth them out. This cross-stroke blending method can really help student grade paints look just as polished as professional paint.

Techniques for Applying Student and Professional Paints

When working with student grade paints, you might need to layer more than once to get a completely flat finish. Be patient and let each layer dry before adding the next. The key is to keep your strokes gentle and avoid overworking the paint, which can cause streaks.

With professional soft body paints, you can often achieve an even coat in a single pass. The slightly more fluid texture makes it easier to avoid streaks from the start. If you want to experiment with both types, my Acrylic Painting Supply List can help you gather the materials you need without the guesswork.

Final Thoughts

Flat areas of color can bring balance, depth, and contrast to your artwork. Whether you use student or professional paints, the combination of the right brush, gentle application, and layering will get you beautiful results. Start with small sections and practice your brush control to gain confidence before tackling larger areas.

I hope this helps you get a smoother, more polished finish in your acrylic paintings. If you want to take your painting skills further, be sure to check out my beginner acrylic painting guide to learn how to do all the basic skills of acrylic painting.