Painterly Acrylic Interior Still Life Tutorial
Paint an expressive acrylic still life using loose brushwork and layered color. Learn painterly techniques to capture light and atmosphere in a simple interior scene.
This painterly still life demo focuses on simplicity and rhythm—turning an everyday table scene into something expressive and full of energy. I started with a quick vertical composition sketch, placing the main table shape, a few chairs, a bottle, and some cups. The design stays flexible so I can adjust as I go.
Using a limited palette of ultramarine, yellow ochre, and quinacridone crimson, I built the forms loosely, pushing warm and cool tones to define light and shadow. The trick is to let the brushstrokes describe the objects instead of outlining them.
Once the base layer was set, I added collage-like textures by pressing scrap paper into wet paint and lifting it—this gives a soft, blended effect and spontaneous texture. A few dark accents and highlights brought back focus around the bottle and cups.
The final piece feels painterly because it’s built on movement, not precision. Each stroke adds personality, creating an interior still life that’s lively, loose, and authentically expressive.
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Recommended Acrylic Painting Materials
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Princeton Catalyst Brushes – Flats (#6, #12), Rounds (#4, #8), Fan (#4), Liner Brush
Durable synthetic bristles for versatile acrylic techniques -
Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic Paint – Essential Colors
Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White -
Winsor & Newton Cotton Canvas
Reliable stretched canvas for studio and plein air work -
Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Paper
Heavyweight, acid-free paper for acrylic and mixed media -
Fabriano Artistico 140lb Cold Press Paper
Excellent for acrylic, mixed media, and textured effects -
Blick Multi-Colored Painting Knife Set
Variety of shapes for texture, scraping, and bold strokes - Miscellaneous: Two pint-sized water containers, paper towels (from Home Depot or Walmart)
- Note: I use canvas or sturdy cardboard as my palette — no store-bought palettes needed.
