Introduction

When you think of watercolors, you probably imagine soft washes, luminous layers, and delicate transitions that seem to glow from the page. Acrylic paint, on the other hand, is often associated with bold opacity, rich coverage, and durability. But what if you want the best of both worlds—watercolor’s dreamy translucence with acrylic’s permanence?

Good news: you can achieve watercolor effects with acrylic paint, and it’s easier than you might think. With a few techniques, tools, and a willingness to experiment, you can create ethereal washes, layered transparencies, and delicate textures—all while enjoying acrylic’s versatility and archival quality.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to make acrylic paint behave like watercolor, explore techniques that mimic watercolor magic, and share practical tips for success.

Why Use Acrylics for Watercolor Effects?

At first glance, it might seem strange to use acrylics for watercolor-like results. Why not just use watercolors? There are actually several compelling reasons:

Permanence: Unlike watercolor, acrylics dry permanent. You can layer without reactivating or muddying previous layers.

Versatility: Acrylics work on more surfaces than watercolor, including canvas, wood, fabric, and mixed media supports.

Control: Because layers don’t lift once dry, you can build complex, luminous effects with greater precision.

Accessibility: Many artists already have acrylics in their studio; learning to thin and apply them differently expands your toolkit without buying a whole new medium.

The key is learning how to adjust acrylic paint’s viscosity and application methods to mimic watercolor’s fluid nature.

Materials You’ll Need

Before diving into watercolor effects techniques, gather the right supplies.

Paints

Fluid acrylics or acrylic inks are ideal—they’re already closer to watercolor consistency.

Heavy body acrylics can also work if you dilute them properly with water or medium.

Mediums & Dilutants

Water: Basic but effective for thinning.

Acrylic glazing medium or airbrush medium: Thins paint without breaking down the binder (helps maintain durability).

Flow improver: Helps acrylics spread more evenly like watercolor.

Surfaces

Watercolor paper: Best for authentic watercolor-like effects.

Mixed media paper: Handles wetness well.

Canvas or wood: Use gesso to prepare; effects will be slightly different (less absorbent).

Tools

Soft watercolor brushes (mop, round, flat).

Spray bottle for misting.

Droppers or pipettes for controlled drips.

Paper towels for lifting and blotting.

Core Techniques for Watercolor Effects with Acrylics

Here’s where the magic happens.

1. Diluted Washes

To mimic watercolor washes, dilute acrylic paint with water or glazing medium until it’s very fluid.

How to: Load a wet brush with thinned acrylic and sweep across the paper. Let it pool or fade just like watercolor.

Tips:

Work quickly—acrylics dry faster than watercolor.

For even fades, mist the paper lightly with water before applying.

Layer multiple washes for luminosity.

This technique is ideal for skies, backgrounds, or soft underpaintings.

2. Wet-on-Wet Blending

One of watercolor’s most beautiful traits is how pigments bloom into wet surfaces. You can mimic this with acrylics.

How to: Wet the paper with clean water. Drop or brush thinned acrylic onto the damp surface and watch it spread. Add a second color to blend organically.

Result: Soft gradients, spontaneous blooms, and natural blending.

Pro tip: Use a spray bottle to keep areas damp longer.

This technique works beautifully for florals, abstract washes, and atmospheric effects.

3. Lifting & Blotting

Traditional watercolor allows artists to “lift” pigment while it’s wet. Acrylic dries permanent, but while it’s fresh, you can still achieve lifting effects.

How to: Apply a wash of thinned acrylic. While wet, blot with a tissue, sponge, or paper towel to lighten areas.

Result: Clouds, textures, highlights, or subtle variations.

Advanced: Use a damp brush to “scrub” gently at edges before the paint sets.

4. Dry Brush for Texture

Watercolors can create textured, broken washes with a dry brush. You can do the same with acrylics.

How to: Dip a nearly dry brush with diluted acrylic and drag it across textured paper.

Result: Grainy textures that look watercolor-like.

Use it for: Rocks, bark, fabrics, or layered abstract textures.

5. Drips & Runs

Watercolor is loved for its playful unpredictability. Recreate this energy with acrylics.

How to: Apply diluted acrylic at the top of your paper and tilt the surface, letting gravity pull it down. Mist with water to encourage flow.

Result: Spontaneous, energetic drips and runs.

Tip: Use this technique for expressive abstract effects or backgrounds.

6. Glazing & Layering

Because acrylics dry permanent, you can layer transparent washes for luminous depth.

How to: Apply a transparent wash of diluted acrylic. Let dry. Add another wash of a different color on top. Repeat to build richness.

Result: Jewel-like transparency without muddying.

Comparison: Unlike watercolor, layers won’t lift, so each wash stays distinct.

7. Splattering & Spraying

Splattering pigment across wet washes is a watercolor staple. Acrylics can mimic it with ease.

How to: Load a brush with watery acrylic and flick it with your finger for splatters. Or use a toothbrush for fine spray.

Result: Texture, stars, energy, or abstract accents.

Advanced: Try splattering clean water on semi-wet acrylic washes; it pushes pigment aside for organic blooms.

8. Salt Texture Effects

Yes, you can even use salt with acrylics.

How to: Sprinkle coarse salt onto wet acrylic washes. As the paint dries, the salt absorbs pigment and creates crystalline textures.

Result: Starburst or frosted patterns.

Note: Results may be subtler than with watercolor, but still striking.

9. Negative Painting

A classic watercolor method where you paint around shapes instead of filling them in. Acrylic washes can replicate this beautifully.

How to: Start with a light wash background. Once dry, paint darker washes around desired shapes (like leaves or silhouettes).

Result: Glowing, layered shapes that pop against depth.

10. Spray & Mist Effects

Spray bottles are a secret weapon for watercolor-style acrylics.

How to: While acrylic wash is wet, mist with water to diffuse edges.

Result: Cloud-like softness and unexpected flow.

Variation: Drop concentrated paint into a misted area for bold blooms.

Key Differences from Real Watercolor

While these techniques mimic watercolor, acrylic will never behave exactly the same. Here’s what to expect:

Drying time: Acrylic dries much faster, so you must work quickly.

Permanence: Once dry, acrylic layers can’t be reactivated—great for layering, but less forgiving.

Surface effects: On watercolor paper, effects look most authentic; on canvas, they’ll be slightly different.

Understanding these differences helps you embrace acrylic’s unique strengths while achieving watercolor-inspired beauty.

Tips for Success

Use fluid acrylics or inks for the closest watercolor feel.

Work on watercolor paper if you want true diffusion and absorbency.

Mix mediums: A glazing medium helps thin acrylics without over-diluting binder.

Spray and mist: A spray bottle keeps paint wet and workable longer.

Layer light to dark: Start with transparent washes, then build intensity.

Practice timing: Learn the sweet spot between wet and dry for blooms and blends.

Experiment fearlessly: Acrylic watercolor effects thrive on unpredictability.

Project Ideas to Try

Abstract wash backgrounds with glazing and splatters.

Floral paintings using wet-on-wet blends.

Atmospheric landscapes with layered washes and lifting for clouds.

Mixed media collages combining acrylic watercolor washes with ink, pencil, or pastel.

Galaxy paintings using splattering, salt textures, and glazing.

Why This Technique Belongs in Mixed Media

Using acrylics for watercolor effects isn’t just a workaround—it’s a powerful mixed media tool. You can combine delicate transparent washes with heavier acrylic layers, collage, ink, or texture mediums. The result is art that feels layered, complex, and contemporary.

Plus, because acrylic is permanent, you don’t risk smearing or reactivating earlier washes—a huge advantage when building mixed media pieces.

Final Thoughts

Watercolor effects with acrylic paint open up a whole new world of creative possibility. You don’t have to choose between watercolor’s softness and acrylic’s strength—you can have both. With techniques like diluted washes, wet-on-wet blending, glazing, and splattering, you’ll achieve luminous results that echo watercolor while remaining uniquely your own.

Whether you’re a watercolor artist looking to expand your medium or an acrylic painter curious about softer effects, these techniques will enrich your practice. The key is simple: experiment, play, and let the paint surprise you. After all, the joy of watercolor—and watercolor-style acrylics—lies in their unpredictability and beauty.