Acrylic Painting Strategies for Success: Building Confidence in Your Classroom
Teaching acrylic painting to young artists requires careful planning to ensure an enjoyable and successful experience. From managing supplies to setting up classroom procedures, acrylic painting can seem overwhelming at first. But don’t worry—I’m going to walk you through some strategies that will give you and your students a thriving painting program, day in and day out.
The Value of a Logical Approach to Teaching
Let’s start with a quick backstory. When I went back to school at 35 to become an art teacher, one course stood out as the most valuable: Introduction to Logic. This class didn’t just teach me how to reason; it helped me structure my classroom approach. And believe me, when it comes to teaching acrylic painting, a logical sequence is key.
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to scaffold your lessons, explore Mrs. T Fox’s Resource Store on TPT for classroom-ready projects and templates.
Acrylic Painting: Where to Begin
After a couple of years of trial and error, I started teaching a standalone acrylic painting class. One thing became very clear: procedures are everything. Paint, brushes, canvases—they’re all expensive. And as much as we want students to be creative, we need to protect the classroom from misuse of materials. That’s where structure comes in.
The Power of the Acrylic Value Scales Lesson
My go-to beginner painting lesson is the Acrylic Value Scales Project. This is the foundation for everything that follows. Why? Because it teaches students how to:
- Mix hues, values, and chromatic neutrals
- Control paint viscosity for even application
- Familiarize themselves with the materials—before jumping into more complex projects
Starting with Acrylic Value Scales gives students the chance to develop confidence in mixing colors, loading brushes, and applying paint evenly. Without this foundational lesson, frustration and wasted materials often follow.
Looking for more step-by-step painting lessons? Check out Mrs. T Fox’s Online Courses.
Example: The Consequences of Skipping Scaffolding
If I hand students a set of paints and tell them to paint something right off the bat, three things happen:
- A few students naturally do great.
- Most students struggle and ask endless questions.
- A handful give up, resulting in wasted materials and distracted behavior.
But when I scaffold the lesson with Acrylic Value Scales first, students are set up for success from day one.
Acrylic Paint: Setting Students Up for Success
Acrylic paint dries quickly, making it difficult to manipulate, especially for beginners. The key is scaffolding skills in a way that eliminates confusion and frustration. When students feel supported and confident, they’re more likely to stay engaged.
The Acrylic Value Scales lesson achieves this by teaching students the basic mechanics of mixing paint and applying it smoothly. Once they’ve mastered these foundational skills, they’re ready for more advanced projects like the Impossible Shape Project or the Acrylic Vektor Painting.
Supplies and Cost-Effective Strategies
In my painting classes, we only use primary colors (red, yellow, blue) and Titanium White. No need for secondary or tertiary colors—we mix everything. This approach saves money and helps students develop deeper skills in color theory.
Here’s what I use:
- Blick Studio Acrylics in 8 oz. tubes
- Taklon Water Media Brushes for smooth application
- 3/16” Foam Board for the Acrylic Value Scales project
By teaching students to mix all their hues, values, and chromatic neutrals, they become more independent and waste far less paint.
Explore more classroom tools and affordable material tips in Mrs. T Fox’s Resource Store on TPT.
Language Matters: Building a Studio Culture
Words are powerful. In my classroom, I don’t refer to students as “kids” or “students.” They are artists. We don’t just have a classroom; we have a studio. These subtle shifts in language help build a culture of confidence and investment. When students feel like part of something special, they take better care of the space and materials, and they push themselves to achieve more.
Creating an Atmosphere of Excellence
By starting the semester with projects like Acrylic Value Scales, you create an atmosphere where students are willing to take risks and grow. When students succeed in small, manageable tasks, they build the confidence needed to tackle more complex projects.
The result? An unstoppable art program where students invest in themselves and each other.
The Payoff
When students master foundational skills, their progress is incredible. By the end of the semester, my students—many of whom had never painted before—can’t believe the artwork they’ve created.
Famous “Foxism”
“What’s the worst thing that can happen? You mess up a rectangle? So what? Paint over it. You know what painting over it tells me? That you care.”
By starting with simple projects, students learn that mistakes are part of the process. This mindset shift fosters an environment of resilience and artistic growth.
Explore More Resources and Stay Connected
1. Shop Mrs. T Fox’s Resource Store on TPT
Take your painting program to the next level with classroom-tested resources, including scaffolded painting lessons and templates. Visit Mrs. T Fox’s Resource Store on TPT to access time-saving tools and step-by-step guides.
2. Learn with Mrs. T Fox’s Online Courses
Want expert guidance on teaching acrylic painting and other art techniques? Check out Mrs. T Fox’s Online Courses for professional development tailored to art educators.
3. Follow Mrs. T Fox on Social Media
Get inspired with teaching tips, project ideas, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the art classroom by following @mrs_tfoxresources on Instagram.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating structured Acrylic Painting Strategies for Success helps students develop skills that build confidence and foster engagement. By beginning with Acrylic Value Scales, you’re providing students with the tools they need to succeed in painting—and beyond.
Thank you for stopping by, and happy teaching!
Tiff 🙂
