Acrylics are used to paint realistic pictures.
The oldest paintings known are the 25,000 to 35,000 year old pictures adorning the walls of caves in France and Spain. The paintings are done in a realistic style. Pigments were applied to a flat two-dimensional surface in an illusionist manner meant to fool the eye into thinking it's looking at real-life three-dimensional objects. Realistic painting has survived into the 21st century and is practiced with modern media including acrylic paints.
Linear Perspective
A realistic acrylic painting is built upon a skeleton of detailed true-to-life drawing. Correct perspective drawing and painting is the key to a producing a realistic picture. Illusionist linear perspective systems were developed and perfected during the Renaissance. Perspective is based on scientific and mathematical principles and rules. Set up vanishing points to guide the convergence of lines as they approach the horizon. Depict objects to appear progressively smaller as they are recede into the background. Foreshortening is a key device of perspective.
Supports
Execute a realistic acrylic painting on a support of masonite or stretched canvas. Prepare the canvas for the smoothest surface possible to facilitate realistic or photorealistic painting. Brush on a thick layer of gesso and sand it smooth after it dries completely. Apply progressively thinner coats by diluting the gesso with water. Sand between each coat. Use heavy-weight, hot pressed watercolor paper or illustration board as an alternative support. Any smooth, toothless paper enables highly detailed painting with acrylics.
Underpainting
For maximum realistic effect, finish a monochromatic underpainting called a grisaille, or dead coloring, by the Old Masters. Take advantage of acrylic's opacity and smoothness to lay in a grayish-toned underpainting to guide the overlaying color layers. Use the underpainting to establish the picture's tonal structure of lights and darks. Block in and define the underlying basic forms and shapes of the composition. Establish the direction of the light source and keep it consistent throughout the painting for the correct placement of shadows.
Glazing
Finish the painting by building up layers of transparent or translucent colors, one on top of another. Apply washes of pure color using paint thinned with water or acrylic glazing medium. Brush on the glazes in thin coats allowing the color underneath to show through and optically mix with the overlaying coat. Use the glazing technique to mimic the luminous interplay of light and shadow. Define the final contours of the painting's forms and add the highlights to complete the painting.
