This is awesome. I'm a grade 10 art student, and I learned a whole lot more in this 9 minute video than all year in class...

I truly love this background. I learned a good deal about creating a great background which will work for a number of subjects. I also very much enjoyed your instruction. You appear so confident and at ease teaching. You're a natural! Thank you.

@THESHOMROM Thank you so much for the positive feedback. I hope one day you'll join me in my online classes at our online schools.

store.artapprenticeonline.com/products/8oz-Extender-%26-Blending-Medium-%252d-DATM02b.html

The Extender that I use is DecoArt Traditions Extender...honestly...I have used every brand on the market and this one is the ONLY one that doesn't get sticky. It is smooth and silky and allows you to blend acrylics like an oil paint! We sell this product on our website - Art Apprentice Online - under Mediums.store.artapprenticeonline.com/products/8oz-Extender-%26-Blending-Medium-%252d-DATM02b.html

@meijfye I use synthetic brushes. You can buy them from our website. For this technique a mop is very important. - Visit the Art apprentice Online and go to our shopping cart to see the brushes. - Neadeen

The song is called "The maid with the Flaxen hair" Great video!

Painting Tip: Creating a soft mottled background that can be a great support for many subjects. I use this technique often in many of my online art classes at the Art Apprentice Online Art School www.artapprenticeonline.com #painting,#learntopaint,#art,#mottling,#acrylicpainting,#acrylic,#learntopaint,#blending

Your painting techniques is very nicely done; but your sound is poor; I could hardly hear what you were saying.

Great to hear. We love acrylics and the Extender we use is tops in quality. - Neadeen

Thank you for this wonderful tutorial. You explained everything so well. Love the background :D

So glad to hear you like them.

I'm new to painting with acrylics and pretty much painting in general and I just wanted to say thank you for your uploads they're greatly appreciated :) I'm not a great or even close to good artist but I'm trying to become one. Keep up the painting! Thanks again :D

I am in love with this technique!! Thanks for sharing!

This is a great tutorial! I've recently taken up painting and I too prefer a dynamic background over flat one dimensional ones! This concisely and thoroughly explains the process in a way a beginner like me can understand! Thank you so much!

Very happpy to hear this painting technique was helpful to you. Come back often.

So excited to see your lessons. I learned so much. I love it when I can add a new technique to my book of tricks. i love it when I can think through something and know what to do and how to do it. I can now look at a still art piece and know how to begin if I want to do something similar. Do you choose colors than that will be the primary colors in the painting? Using the color wheel? Your teaching style is amazing! Thanks so much.

This really helped me find the perfect setting for a tiger painting I just finished. Thanks!

Excellent technique! Thank you! xxx

@Caramenne The large brush is a filbert...or Oval filbert. I always use Extender, with acrylics, you just don't have the playing time, most especially if you live in a dry climate. My most favorite Extender is DecoArt Traditions Extender and Blending Medium. I have tried them all and this is the only one that does not get sticky or gummy. We sell this from our website at the Art Apprentice Online. By the 8ox. bottle you'll never regret it! Enjoy!

Oh Thank you so much, this is a snippet from one of our online art classes. They are all presented this way. Neadeen Masters - Teacher.

Absolutely beautiful

I thought this was a great demonstration for a beginner using acrylics. Thank you. Keep posting.

I bought the extender you use and all the same colors for the palette. Now i'm going to try it again and see how it comes out. Thank God for gesso!

One of the better how to art videos on You Tube I might add.

Very happy to hear that the video was helpful to you. Always happy to help and share art information.

Good video; many uses for this type of background and technique.

@angel19647 just visit the shopping cart of our website at the Art Apprentice Online and you can register for any of our online painting and art classes. They are very affordable and for all skills. - Neadeen

LOVE this! Thank you!

@stevewhitestl Thank you so much.Always nice to have positive feedback. - Neadeen

Always keep in mind that water is a natural solvent for acrylics which are water based. Extender helps to slow down the drying time so you can blend and play... with Extender you have about 20 minutes before it starts to set up. We use it by the gallon at our art schools. To learn more you can sign up for our free class on using Mediums just go to the Traditions Online Art School or the Art Apprentice Online Art School. We own them both. Look for the free class on mediums.

Oh wow, that's beautiful! I'd almost like to leave it just like that :) Great color choices!

They can be different from Brand to Brand. We use DecoArt Traditions Extender and blending medium for acrylics. You need to have a good brush for blending and we use a large mop for softening the brush marks. Just to soften for a little more atmospheric effect. - Neadeen

If you hav any questionsbout using the Extender, d joinour free nline art community. Go to our wwebsite - Art Apprentice Online and you'll see Commuunity in the menu bar. Its all Free and full of great information and some videos too. Lots o forums and groups to jon. - Neadeen

This is great. Thank you for doing this.

Neadeen! Your an inspiration to me! I've always had trouble with blending acrylic paint because it dries so fast. Couple questions for you.. is there an acrylic extender that you recommend? After you base your canvas how long does it last for? And lastly.. do you ever dip your brushes in water or extender during the painting process?...won't the acrylic dry and ruin the brush?

Thanks for teaching us this techniques.

@angel19647 So happy to hear!

ohh wow, thank you so much, I was looking for this exact technique for a picture I want to try :D you make it look so easy!

@Bully4oru Glad you like this one!

Awesome. That's exactly what I'm going for. Thanks for the video.

@freekristy glad you like this.Thank you!

Great to hear...how did it work out for you? - Neadeen

Great techniques and paintings

I just tried to do this and it didn't come out anything like yours. :( Practice makes perfect I suppose. I used a flat brush and i see brush strokes. I don't have a mop brush and my filbert brush is too small. Off to the store to get more brushes and I just ordered the extender. The one I have isn't Deco Art. Maybe I didn't put enough on. It seemed hard to pull the paint as you said. I am so determined to learn how to paint. Not going to give up until I get it right.

Thanks so much for the lesson! Wold love to start of my project now, but will first have to go and find myself a 'mop' brush. Wish I had viewed your video earlier this morning. I was just at the art store just now. I could have bought the mop them. Aiya.

@carmiebbt Yes you can just sketch in over the dried background.

Excellent tutorial - just the information on technique that I have been looking for when creating those backgrounds. The detailed information on how you used your brushes in stroke making was also invaluable. Also the extender - you applied it to the canvas first BEFORE applying the paint! I wasn't aware that was an option. Subscribed & will check out your website.

Thanks so much for the positive feedback. Extender is a medium that will slow the drying time. There are many brands on the market, however this is the ONLY brand I will use with acrylics. Why? As it dries it will not get sticky or gummy. Most all other brands I have worked with will get sticky and be next to impossible to work on, unless you stop and dry completely. By then your paint has dried and its difficult to get the smooth transitions of values. Visit our community for additional info.

I'm just starting with acrylic, and this video is really helpfull. I can wait till i will try my skills! Thanks :)

@machooox Extender is a medium that 'extends' the drying time of acrylics. You usually add it to acrylic paint or in this case, paint it on the canvas first. You can buy it at any art store. :)

@shalukuttan Thanks for the comment. First, let me say that the best Extender on the market is the DecoArt Traditions Extender. (you can buy it from us in our shopping cart) I have used it for close to 9 years and would never use another brand. It does not get sticky or tacky. I usually have about 20 minutes to work, (I live in a very dry area in Canada)

@angel19647 Glad we were able to get in touch via the website. I am sure you will enjoy the online painting classes too!

@madEyebrows - Yes it is...however many retarder gels and mediums will become sticky as they dry. This one does not. The brand that I prefer above all others in the DecoArt Traditions Extender and Blending Medium. We sell this on our website and it's very inexpensive. Go to our website and visit our online store.

@Jetmum1 You are very welcome. - Neadeen

Thank you, that very very informative. I like your choice in colors as well :)

wow...its so helpful to amature painters like me...i love to paint and its hobby...this was so helpful to me...thx...looking forward for more...

Not all Extenders are the same, if you want your acrylic paints to blend like an oil, this Extender is perfect for the job. It allows you about 20 to 30 minutes to work with. I NEVER use water with acrylics as water is a natural solvent for acrylics...store.artapprenticeonline.com/products/8oz-Extender-%26-Blending-Medium-%252d-DATM02b.html

wonderful tutorial! thanks!

Can you use Artists Acrylic paints on interior house walls?

This was an awesome video...thank you so much!!!

DecoArt Traditions Extender is the ONLY brand that will not get sticky. You can purchase it from our website, 8oz. is about 6 bucks. A little goes a long way. Art Apprentice Online - go to our online store. We ship around the globe.

I had a painting of a harris hawk with a blue green and white background wich i wasn't convinved of it. (not mottled or not that mottled) so after your tutorial i fix it, actually with the colors you used as were harmoic with my hawk. and voila! it changed a lot... Now is worth showing .. thanks.

Dzięki! Jest Pani urocza!

Awesome! Great Work! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful video. :-) 

Basically the same thing. The Extender extends the working time of the acrylics. If you use a wet in wet technique it is excellent.

very simple but great lesson thanks

this is GREAT, thank you so much

love the result :)

Hi Myranda, no the Extender is used for acrylic media only. I would not try to use it with oils it won't be compatable. You may want to join our online community, lots of friendly helpful artists and teachers who are more than happy to give feedback and you can share your work etc. Go to Art Apprentice Online and look for Community in the menu bar. Its free to join. Hope to see you there.

@Wonderful94SK - What is VCE art...sorry excuse my ignorance... Glad to hear you have learned a lot here. We have a great online art community on our website and it is very popular. You can ask all kinds of questions, post your work and get great feedback from many of us teachers. Go to our Art apprentice Online website and look for the community link at the top of the page.. Join us it's FREE.

Yes the ONLY brand of Extender I will use is the Traditions brand. It is by far (I have tried them all) the best on the market. It is the best product for all acrylic painters. It doesn't get sticky or tacky. The link is in the description of the video.go to 'store' then 'mediums' look for Traditions Extender...3oz. or 8 oz. buy the 8oz. you won't regret it!

We have found external speakers have helped. Some folks with laptops struggle with the sound level. Sorry.

There are several brands of Extenders on the market. I have tried them all. In over 40 years of painting and teaching I have found the Traditions Brand of Extender to be the best on the market. Here's why. It doesn't get sticky and you can just keep working without problems. I use it rather than use water when I am using wet in wet techniques. The brand is DecoArt Traditions Extender & Blending Mediums. You can go to our store at Art Apprentice Online we sell lots of this amazing medium.

Helped alot, thank you.

awesome teacher!!

Love it.

I am using DecoArt Traditions Extender. This is a medium that allows acrylic paint to stay open longer. It allows for easy blending. I couldn't do without it. It is a FANTASTIC product. You can buy this at our online store. Go to Art Apprentice Online and visit our online store. Look under Mediums. It is very inexpensive.A must have.

beautiful background beautiful woman too

@Matsubaaa Extender is a medium that will slow the drying time. There are many brands on the market, however this is the ONLY brand I will use with acrylics. Why? As it dries it will not get sticky or gummy. Most all other brands I have worked with will get sticky and be next to impossible to work on, unless you stop and dry completely. By then your paint has dried and its difficult to get the smooth transitions of values. Visit our community for additional info

thanks so much! That helped a lot :) I do have one more question, is the extender an oil medium?

You are very welcome.

thank you this helped me so much, i'm going to use this for my art show :)

i know this might sound a bit stupid but instead of the mop brush would i be able to use a blush brush just until i can go to the store? this turned out so beautiful also! xx

Hello Nadeen I love your blending but Im wonder how you keep your paint on the palette moisture?Thanks

Yes, slow drying mediums. exactly the same. BUT make sure when using Acrylics, get a water based medium. I use Golden myself, and when I use Oils, I use Winston. I hope this helps you.

@xrudess Yes, she said "don't use water". She uses an extender. It lengthens the drying time of acrylics. :)

That's wonderful ^_^

Thank you so much!

Thank you so much!

Looks great Nadeen!!...~Keni

Hi,will this extender make my brush stroke ( to make a small line for example) more flow fluently ? I live in Holland. The extender is rather cheap but the shippingcost is at the website is very expensive. How long will it take to arrive to holland? Please le me know and thanks for the nice video.

@xrudess No water - water is a natural solvent to acrylics and will cause them to run and you'll end up breaking holes into the paint. Extender is a better choice for this technique. - Neadeen

Thank you!

i was wondering what was the kind of brush your using :D its so nice thanks

I find blending acrylics so difficult and it has kept me from using them in paintings. Thanks so much for this tutorial and I will order some of the blending medium you are using.

Did you first paint extender all over the canvas? I couldn't tell. That part of the video sped up. I really liked the demonstration. Good info.

Hi!!!! Thanks for this great tutorial! It's an exellent video!!! But I have a question, If I try with oils instead acrylic will I get the same result???? Thanks again!

Hi there, love this idea. I must try this. Would work so well for a wooded background underpainting. I was just wondering though, you say you use an extender. I've tried looking on art supply websites (I'm in Britain) but can't find a product called an extender. I can find retarder and slow drying mediums, is that similar? Also, is it a gel or a liquid that you put into that little pot, the sound cuts out at that point so can't hear what you say. Thanks ever so much. Really great technique.

@Bully4oru Thanks Keni - Neadeen