Vibrant Acrylics

Hashim Akib was encouraged to paint as a child. He attended art college and has worked as an illustrator for newspapers and design firms. In 2009 he won the SAA Artist of the Year competition and has produced DVDs in partnership with Daler Rowney.

Monstersandcritics.com

May 12

Acrylics are often described as the most versatile painting medium. The range of effects and colours is huge. So how can artists make best use of them? Often the sheer vibrancy of the colours can be off putting for artists more accustomed to the gentler palettes of watercolour and oils. Akib has created a book which helps artists use acrylics to their best advantage. A skilled artist and illustrator, he provides several step by step projects to demonstrate techniques such as creating woodland light, drawing animals and still life projects. Advice too is given on good drawing techniques, creating a composition and developing tone and colour. Hints are given on using acrylics in abstract paintings to make light tracks, as well as an unusual project showing how to paint crowds of people. This is not a subject that is often covered but in the modern day world, the rush hour and crowds of people offer lots of potential for townscapes. An interesting book, offering some new ideas on how to use this paint medium. This is a book that will be useful to both beginners and advanced artists.

JeannieZelos.com

May 12

Fantastic book covering painting in acrylics for total beginners but with so much information it will appeal to established users also. Hashim advocates using big brushes with large quantities of undiluted pure paint to quickly create and build up layers and depth to produce fresh rich paintings.

Hashim shows in this book how to utilise what I call mark making - there's bound to be a correct term but I don't know it to create what close up look like dashes of pure paint dotted onto the painting but seen from further back merge to create bright but realistic scenes. Its something I love but struggle with Im always tempted to refine too much and lose that lovely freshness this type of style creates armed with this book I intend to try further.

There's the usual advice found in these books on materials and techniques but some valuable but lesser heard tips such as timing oneself and stepping back form the painting every fifteen minutes. This allows us to look at what we've done and what needs to be done instead of my biggest fault becoming so immersed in the work that it becomes overdone and loses that fresh bright appeal. Hashim says each brush-stroke should count and when one is taking frequent breaks to look at whats been done and what needs to be done its easier to make it so instead of the slap on more paint and hope approach I often use......

there are numerous illustrations throughout the book showing exactly what Hashim means when he is explaining how to lay colour or use the brush in a certain way which is really helpful. There are also many useful exercises to practise that you've understood what he's saying.

The subject themselves range from animals and portraits to still life and landscapes really does contain a bit of everything and it makes it easy to see how the technique of big brush considered paint strokes can be used in so many different subjects.

An inspiring book useful and appealing to any artist, whether new to acrylics or an established user, who wishes to retain freshness and vitality in their paintings. I know I will find it very valuable.