Popular Styles & Genres in Acrylic Paintings
The diversity of expression possible with acrylic painting on canvas explains why contemporary Indian artists embrace it. Different styles ask and say different things about the painter & collector.
1. Abstract Acrylic Paintings
Abstract art paintings demand boldness and quick decisions; the paint dries fast, so artists layer and correct in real time. Texture builds quickly and colours stay strong. Artists like S.H. Raza have used this to create geometric, meditative works that feel both modern and timeless.
2. Contemporary/Modern
Modern acrylic painting encompasses everything from gestural expressionism to geometric precision. These works sit firmly in contemporary art, yet remain rooted in local culture.
3. Expressionism
Expressionist acrylic art uses distortion, sharp contrasts, and fast layering to put emotion first. Colours stay distinct instead of blending, which suits collectors who want intensity over calm.
If you’re drawn to charged, moody work, browse expressionism paintings in acrylic.
4. Landscapes & Nature
Acrylic landscapes & nature paintings shift easily between detail and sweeping gesture, making them ideal for collectors who respond to changing light and atmosphere.
5. Portraits & Figurative Acrylic Art
Portraiture demands control. Acrylic’s fast setup forces confident marks, which is why portrait painters favour it for clarity and impact. Collectors who respond to faces and bodies more than scenery often gravitate toward figurative paintings in acrylic.
6. Spiritual/Religious
Acrylic paintings excel at devotional subjects. The medium's inherent brightness—its refusal of subtlety—suits sacred art perfectly. Whether depicting Krishna and Radha or abstract mandalas, the medium's transparency and opacity allow artists to build spiritual intensity.
7. Pop Art & Urban Scenes
Pop Art relies on acrylic’s flat colours and graphic punch, which also suits bold urban scenes. Andy Warhol and Campbell's pop art exist only through acrylic's flat, brilliant color and rapid-fire application methods.
8. Mixed Media
Because acrylic binds to almost any surface, mixed-media artists use it under collage, ink, or charcoal. This versatility marks a critical distinction: acrylic artwork grows beyond traditional canvas in ways oils never could. You can buy Indian paintings featuring these styles by browsing our larger collection.
Techniques & Methods for Acrylic Painting
The brush techniques available in acrylic exist uniquely because of acrylic's properties.
1. Dry Brushing
A brush with barely any paint skims the surface, creating texture with scratchy, broken strokes that feel like grass, grain, or worn stone.
2. Glazing
Thin, see-through layers of colour go over a dry base, shifting the mood without hiding what’s underneath—like tinting the light rather than repainting the scene.
3. Blending
Paint stays wet just long enough to push colours into each other; it’s all about moving fast before the surface sets and the soft edges disappear.
4. Double-Loading
Two colours sit on one brush, so each stroke flips gently between them—great for skies, water, and anywhere that needs a little surprise in colour.
5. Cross-Hatching
Criss-cross strokes build tone and texture slowly, letting you nudge shadows and depth into place.
6. Scumbling
A nearly dry brush drags over a solid colour, catching only the bumps and leaving a hazy, broken lived-in layer.
7. Splattering
Flicked or shaken paint lands in bursts and dots, adding that bit of chaos and energy you can’t fully plan, only react to.
8. Wet-on-Wet
Fresh paint lands on a still-wet layer, letting colours fuse into soft shifts; push it too long and it fights back with unexpected edges.
Why Choose Acrylic Paintings for Your Space?
1. Vibrant and Durable Colors
Acrylic pigments are genuinely lightfast. Good acrylic pigments stay vivid for decades without yellowing. You're not buying something that fades after a decade.
2. Long-Lasting Finish
Evidence suggests acrylic films will persist for centuries if not millennia. Acrylic films stay flexible, so cracks are far less common than in oil paintings.
3. Easy Maintenance
Buy acrylic paintings online and you're acquiring something forgiving. Dusting and occasional re-varnishing keep acrylic paintings looking fresh.
4. Versatile Style Options
The medium accommodates everything from photorealistic detail to spiritual abstraction to Pop Art serialization to vibrant ruralscapes. This is why contemporary acrylic paintings are so visible in galleries and collections today.
How to Choose the Right Contemporary Acrylic Artwork
1. Define Your Personal Style and Purpose
Abstract acrylic paintings ask the viewer to interpret; figurative work reveals meaning instantly. Landscape paintings create spaces you can lose yourself in.
Consider how the work functions in your home. A striking portrait commands attention above a living room sofa. A subtle abstract landscape settles into bedroom tranquility. Smaller acrylic paintings online work for intimate spaces; monumental pieces reshape entire rooms.
2. Consider the Room's Decor and Color Scheme
Acrylic's color intensity means thoughtful placement matters. A vibrant work might clash dangerously with warm terracotta walls but sing against cool grays or whites. Bright contemporary acrylics freshen minimalist rooms.
Light changes acrylic colour, so check the space at different times of day. Track lighting or accent spotlights dramatize texture and depth.
3. Determine the Right Size and Placement
Hang the centre of the artwork at natural eye level for your space. Measure your wall, calculate proportions, imagine the piece in place before committing.
4. Look at the Artist's Technique
Does brushwork feel controlled or gestural? ArtFlute's collection spans diverse approaches: Kandan G and Iruvan Karunakaran work with bold, decisive acrylic strokes, while Jagannath Paul and Amol Pawar layer acrylic with charcoal and gold foil, creating textured complexity. Understanding each artist's technical language helps you anticipate how the work will read in your space.
5. Pricing and Budgeting
Original acrylic paintings for sale can start with emerging artists and rise significantly for established names. Always go with a work that resonates the most with you or the vision for your space.
Buy Acrylic Painting On Canvas Online at Artflute
1. Certificate of Authenticity
Every acrylic painting on canvas from ArtFlute includes clear documentation of artist, title, and provenance. It’s proof of authenticity and helps with insurance or future resale.
2. Premium Quality
Our curatorial team reviews technique, materials, and artistic intent, so you’re not buying purely on trend. We work directly with artists, visiting studios, and understanding their practice.
3. Safe Packaging & Worldwide Delivery
Each acrylic painting is packed securely and shipped worldwide with care.
FAQs About Acrylic Painting Online
1) Who is the most famous acrylic artist?
Andy Warhol used acrylic for his Pop Art innovations. David Hockney achieved international recognition through luminous acrylic landscapes. In India, S.H. Raza’s acrylic abstractions—particularly his Bindu series—achieved global acclaim.
2) What is the most common acrylic painting technique?
The glazing technique dominates contemporary practice because it is fast, forgiving, and creates luminosity. Most working acrylic painters combine multiple techniques within single pieces.
3) How long do acrylic paintings last?
Properly maintained acrylic paintings outlast most collectors’ lifespans by centuries. With good materials and indoor care, acrylic paintings can last for generations.
4) What is the price range of acrylic paintings online?
At ArtFlute, acrylic painting prices typically start around ₹50,000 and rise for senior artists and rare works.
5) Where can I buy acrylic painting online?
ArtFlute specializes precisely in this space. When you buy acrylic paintings online through ArtFlute, you access a curated, authenticated collection backed by direct artist relationships.
6) How should I care for my acrylic painting?
Artists seal finished acrylics with UV-protective varnish (2–3 thin brush coats). Display away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity fluctuations. Dust annually with soft brushes.
