40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (2024)

I’m sharing a collection of easy acrylic painting ideas on canvas for beginners. Below you’ll find a collection of sunset paintings, flower paintings, mini canvas paintings, and more.

Acrylic paint is a versatile medium that can be used to create beautiful paintings on canvas.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, acrylic paints provide excellent coverage and vibrant colors that allow your creativity to shine through. These paintings will inspire you to create your own beautiful canvas painting.

*I earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

1. Sunset with Moon Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (1)

Sunset paintings are great beginner paintings. To learn how to paint your own sunset, check out the YouTube video tutorial Ocean Sunset.

2. Acrylic Bee Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (2)

I’m a big fan of the bumblebee, so this acrylic painting really caught my eye. The artist did a great job with the painting, and the color palette is perfect.

3. Care Bear Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (3)

It’s hard not to feel a little fuzzy inside when it comes to Care Bears. These colorful, cuddly critters have been spreading love and cheer for decades, and now you can bring that same warm feeling to your life with a cute painting.

4. Cat on Ball Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (4)

Show off your love of cats with a playful painting of a black cat on a yellow ball. This modern piece will bring some fun and creativity to your art collection.

5. Mountain Morning Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (5)

Capture the beauty of nature with a painting of a mountain morning in the wilderness. You can paint snow-capped peaks or a meadow blanketed in fog.

6. Sunburst Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (6)

Let the sunshine in with a fun sun painting. You can achieve this look by using metallic paint in the color gold.

7. Easy Flowers Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (7)

I love the simplicity of this sunflower and bee painting. This is the perfect beginner’s painting. The orange, yellow, and green colors go together perfectly.

8. Ferris Wheel at Night

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (8)

There’s something magical about a Ferris wheel at night. The way it lights up the sky is simply stunning. I’ve been searching for my next painting idea, and this Ferris wheel painting is calling out to me.

9. Abstract Cat Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (9)

Get creative and show off your wild side with an abstract cat painting. This captivating piece has a fun and eye-catching look.

10. Campfire at Night on a Triangle Canvas

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (10)

I love how cool the triangle canvas makes this painting look. Using different-shaped canvas is perfect for giving your painting as a gift.

Benefits of Using Acrylic Paints Part One

Wide range of color options – Acrylic paints come in many colors, including bright hues and subtle shades, so you can easily find the perfect colors for your project.

Easy to use – Unlike other types of paint, acrylic paint is easy to apply and requires no special techniques or skills. This makes it ideal for beginners who want to explore their creativity without worrying about complicated painting techniques.

11. Floral Acrylic Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (11)

A flower painting like this would make an excellent gift for a loved one, especially for holidays like Mother’s Day. This would also make a great spring seasonal art piece.

12. Colorful Sun Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (12)

This painting is so simple and beautiful. I would love to paint something similar using pastel colors. I think that pink and purple would look lovely.

13. Summer Fern Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (13)

Instill a sense of calm in your home with a summer fern painting. Nature-themed artwork will bring an outdoor garden inside your home.

14. Yellow Sakura Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (14)

I love the yellow and purple color palettes used for this canvas painting. The texture of the leaves and moon make this painting stand out.

15. Woman and Florals Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (15)

This could be a challenging and fun project if you’re an adventurous beginner. Make your woman look different than the one shown here to give the painting your own personal touch.

16. Rainforest Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (16)

You can achieve a professional look as a beginner with this design. I love the color palette used for this painting.

17. Mini Canvas Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (17)

Mini canvases are so fun to create. They make a great addition to your home decor. I love this painting of clouds and a purple night sky.

18. Stacked Stones Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (18)

Create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in your home with a stacked stones painting. This type of artwork is perfect for any nature-lover, with its use of muted colors.

19. Lavender Field Painting on Canvas

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (19)

Lavender fields have always been beautiful to me. If you’ve never painted flowers from a reference, I recommend giving it a try. It’s a great way to improve your skills.

Benefits of Using Acrylic Paints Part Two

Durable – Acrylic paintings are highly durable and will last many years. This makes them ideal for use in outdoor settings (rock painting, for example, as they can withstand the elements.

Affordable – Compared to other paints, acrylic paint is relatively inexpensive, making it a great choice for those on a budget. Whether painting a large canvas or doing small projects around the house, you can get excellent results using acrylic paint without breaking the bank.

If you are looking for an easy-to-use paint that produces vibrant colors and is perfect for both beginners and experienced artists alike, then acrylic paint is the right choice for you.

20. Mountains on a Small Circular Canvas

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (20)

If you want to create something unique, consider using a mini circular canvas. You can achieve a gold shimmer appearance by using metallic paint in gold.

21. Snake Plant Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (21)

If you’re looking for a plant painting reference, I love this abstract painting of a snake plant. The artist did a wonderful job with this piece.

22. Sky on a Heart-Shaped Canvas

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (22)

This heart canvas board helps you create a cute and unique canvas painting. Paint your night sky using your choice of colors.

23. Snowy Cabin Canvas Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (23)

During winter, cozy up with a hot drink and your favorite painting tools and be inspired by this lovely winter scene.

24. Mountain Landscape Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (24)

If you enjoy painting landscapes, this canvas painting is an excellent reference for beginners.

25. Rainbow Cat Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (25)

A cat painting would make a great gift for the cat lover in your life. The colorful background is a great addition to this art.

26. Calm Sunset Landscape

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (26)

This beautiful acrylic painting includes a helpful video where the artists show their process for creating this painting. You can watch the YouTube tutorial for Drawing Calm Sunset Landscape.

27. Fun Face Art

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (27)

This fun face art painting is simple and will inspire you to paint your cool face. Play around with different colors, shapes, and facial expressions.

Advice for Painting on Canvas Part One

If you’re new to painting on canvas and want to try your hand at acrylic paints, there are a few tips that can help you get the best results, such as keeping the fabric, texture, and priming (you can buy a primed canvas) in mind.

Each of these things will affect the quality of the canvas and what kind of painting is best for the chosen canvas.

28. Purple Sunset Acrylic Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (28)

If you like this painting but want to switch things up, you can change the colors to suit your taste. You can find the mini canvas and easel on Amazon.

29. Love Birds Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (29)

This is the perfect easy painting for beginners. I actually did something similar to this following the YouTube tutorial How To Paint An Easy Acrylic Painting For Beginners.

30. Sunflowers and Lady Bug Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (30)

If you’re looking for a beautiful housewarming gift, consider a handmade painting. This sunflower painting can be purchased from the artist.

31. She is Fierce Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (31)

Show off your painting skills with this She is Fierce canvas painting reference. You can make this your own by drawing the woman differently, using different colors, etc.

32. Beach Waves Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (32)

Here’s a fantastic painting of the ocean with waves. This painting is part of a series. Check out the artist to see more seaside paintings.

Advice for Painting on Canvas Part Two

Next, take the time to practice your technique by trying out some smaller projects before moving on to larger canvases.

Finally, always protect your work with a layer of varnish once it’s finished to preserve the colors and keep them looking vibrant over time.

With these simple tips, you can create unique paintings with acrylic paint in no time.

33. Pink Trees Painting on Mini Canvas

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (33)

If you’ve never painted on mini on canvas, you should try it. It’s so fun looking at the finished product.

34. Flower Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (34)

A painting of this size would look great hanging on a wall in your home. I love the abstract design and vibrant colors that were used.

35. Orca Whale Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (35)

If you love painting things that live in the sea, I think you’ll love using this Orca whale painting for inspiration.

36. Colorful Hearts Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (36)

I love how this simple idea came together perfectly. Add a pop of color to your living space with this painting.

37. Wildflowers Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (37)

I love the purple theme used for this floral painting. I also love the circular artboard.

38. Colorful Flower Field Acrylic Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (38)

When it comes to acrylic paintings, there’s something about a field full of colorful flowers that catches the eye and captures the heart. Watch the tutorial for the Colorful Flower Field Acrylic painting.

39. Sun and Moon Painting

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (39)

These two paintings feature a beautiful sun and moon drawing. The color palettes for both are wonderful, and the artist did a fantastic job with the style of these paintings.

40. Daisies on a Small Canvas

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (40)

Daisies are the perfect subject for a beginner-friendly painting. Plus, a small canvas allows you to focus on the intricate details of each flower. You can choose to keep it simple or add more detail.

Painting on canvas is an enjoyable, rewarding experience that helps you to express yourself creatively.

From still lifes and landscapes to abstract designs, the possibilities are endless and waiting to be explored.

Additional Painting Ideas:

  • Paint a coffee mug
  • Paint a still-life composition
  • Paint a landscape
  • Paint a portrait
  • Paint an animal or pet portrait
  • Paint a cityscape
  • Paint a seascape
  • Paint flowers
  • Paint a landscape at sunset
  • Paint an interior scene
  • Paint houses or condos
  • Paint a barn
  • Paint a rural scene
  • Paint a self-portrait

There are endless possibilities for painting with acrylics, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try new techniques. And who knows, if you’re new to painting, you may discover your new favorite hobby.

More Posts You May Like:

  • 22 Watercolor Painting Tutorials from DearAnnArt
  • 20 Beautiful Watercolor Butterfly Painting Ideas
  • 17 Oil Pastel Drawings To Inspire Beginners

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information and can provide insights on a wide range of topics, including acrylic painting. Acrylic paint is a versatile medium that allows artists to create beautiful paintings on canvas. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, acrylic paints provide excellent coverage and vibrant colors that allow your creativity to shine through.

Sunset with Moon Painting

Sunset paintings are great for beginners, and there are many tutorials available to help you learn how to paint your own sunset. One YouTube video tutorial that you can check out is "Ocean Sunset" [[1]].

Acrylic Bee Painting

If you're a fan of bumblebees, you might enjoy painting an acrylic bee. The color palette used in this painting is perfect, and it can serve as a great source of inspiration [[2]].

Care Bear Painting

Care Bears have been spreading love and cheer for decades, and you can bring that warm feeling into your life with a cute Care Bear painting [[3]].

Cat on Ball Painting

If you love cats, consider painting a playful black cat on a yellow ball. This modern piece can add fun and creativity to your art collection [[4]].

Mountain Morning Painting

Capture the beauty of nature with a painting of a mountain morning in the wilderness. You can choose to paint snow-capped peaks or a meadow blanketed in fog [[5]].

Sunburst Painting

Let the sunshine in with a fun sun painting. You can achieve this look by using metallic gold paint [[6]].

Easy Flowers Painting

For a simple and beautiful painting, consider painting a sunflower and bee. The orange, yellow, and green colors go together perfectly, making it an ideal beginner's painting [[7]].

Ferris Wheel at Night

There's something magical about a Ferris wheel at night. The way it lights up the sky is simply stunning. If you're looking for your next painting idea, consider a Ferris wheel painting [[8]].

Abstract Cat Painting

Get creative and show off your wild side with an abstract cat painting. This captivating piece has a fun and eye-catching look [[9]].

Campfire at Night on a Triangle Canvas

Using different-shaped canvases can add a unique touch to your paintings. Consider painting a campfire at night on a triangle canvas for a cool and interesting look [[10]].

These are just a few examples of easy acrylic painting ideas on canvas for beginners. Acrylic paint offers a wide range of color options, is easy to use, and provides excellent coverage. It is also durable and relatively affordable compared to other types of paint. Whether you're painting landscapes, flowers, animals, or abstract designs, acrylic paint is a great choice for both beginners and experienced artists alike.

Remember, painting is an enjoyable and rewarding experience that allows you to express yourself creatively. Don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques and subjects. Happy painting!

Note: The information provided above is based on search results and does not include a list of sources/bibliography.

40 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas on Canvas for Beginners - Beautiful Dawn Designs (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest style of painting for beginners? ›

Pop art or cartoons are a great choice when you're looking for easy things to paint on a canvas. They can be any shape or style that you like, so it's easy to hide any mistakes that you don't feel confident in painting over. Try recreating some of your favorite characters, or be bold and invent one of your own.

How do you make acrylic paintings look professional? ›

Use a slower-drying medium: Add a slow-drying medium to your acrylic paint, such as Liquitex Slow-Dri Blending Medium, to extend the drying time and allow for more blending and blending. Blend the paint: Using a blending tool such as a palette kni.

What doesn't mix with acrylic paint? ›

Oil-based paints don't mix with water-based paints like acrylics, and although watercolors are water-soluble, issues like pH differences can cause instabilities when mixed.

Can you mix acrylic paint with just water? ›

Yes, a little water helps, but use as little as possible. I wouldn't even use as much as 30% to 40% as another answer suggests. Maybe, if you are using the acrylic in a watercolor fashion on watercolor paper, not so much on canvas. More than a little water weakens the paint film.

What do you put on canvas before acrylic painting? ›

Priming is the process of creating a barrier between the canvas and the paint. It's typically done by applying layers of acrylic gesso, clear acrylic medium, or oil primer. Prepping your canvas makes it less absorbent, helps your paint sit better on the surface, and protects your canvas from natural corrosion.

What paint looks best on canvas? ›

Acrylic. Acrylic paint is one of the most popular types of paint for painting on canvas, and with good reason. It's easy to work with, requires minimal supplies and dries quickly. A primed canvas provides an ideal surface for acrylic, which can be applied with a brush or palette knife.

How do you paint perfectly on canvas? ›

Our Top 10 Tips for Painting on Canvas
  1. Angle Your Canvas To Paint Comfortably. ...
  2. Take Advantage of Canvas Wedges. ...
  3. Sketch Your Image or Underpaint. ...
  4. Lay Out Your Supplies Before You Get Started. ...
  5. Use Paintbrushes With Firm, Tough Bristles. ...
  6. Start With a Toned Canvas To Add a Unique Quality. ...
  7. Get Creative With Solvents and Mediums.
Aug 19, 2021

What should a beginner paint first? ›

Here are some of the easiest things for beginner artists to paint.
  1. Simple Plants & Trees. There's a reason you see so many plant paintings: plants are easy to paint. ...
  2. Abstract Shapes & Designs. ...
  3. Your Favorite Landscape. ...
  4. Cascading Mountains. ...
  5. Insects. ...
  6. The Beach. ...
  7. Re-create Famous Paintings.
Feb 17, 2021

Where should a beginner start in art? ›

As a beginner artist, there are several things you can do to get started: Start with the basics: Begin by learning the fundamentals of art, such as drawing and shading techniques, color theory, perspective, and composition. You can find many tutorials, books, and online courses that cover these topics.

What is the easiest medium to start painting with? ›

Acrylic is often the best all-round choice as it's beginner-friendly and can be easily adapted once each layer is dry. Watercolors are the cheapest to start with and mistakes can usually be fixed by adding a little water to the paper to lift the paint off.

What do you want to avoid when painting with acrylic? ›

Common Acrylic Painting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
  1. Over Blending Your Colors. ...
  2. Using Too Much Paint. ...
  3. Ignoring Brush Care. ...
  4. Using Poor-Quality Materials. ...
  5. Fear of Making Mistakes. ...
  6. Color Blending and Mixing. ...
  7. Layering Technique. ...
  8. Pouring and Dripping Technique.

What is scumbling? ›

What is scumbling? A scumble is a dry and broken application of paint. It's really the opposite of a glaze but the two are often confused as they are both ways of optically modifying an underlying paint film. A glaze works by covering an underlying area of a painting with an unbroken film of translucent paint.

What is the best thing to paint with acrylic paint? ›

Canvas Paper: Canvas paper is really great for paintings as these papers are primed and easy to store. Masonite: Masonite is durable and suitable for acrylic painting. It is also available in different sizes and can be primed to make it ready for painting.

What is the easiest material to paint with? ›

Acrylic paint is one of the most popular paint mediums, particularly with beginners, as it's easy to use and can be quite affordable. Acrylic paints also don't require special brushes or cleaning tools like oil paints do, making this medium a great place to start if you're new to painting.

What's the easiest thing to paint? ›

Here are some of the easiest things for beginner artists to paint.
  • Simple Plants & Trees. There's a reason you see so many plant paintings: plants are easy to paint. ...
  • Abstract Shapes & Designs. ...
  • Your Favorite Landscape. ...
  • Cascading Mountains. ...
  • Insects. ...
  • The Beach. ...
  • Re-create Famous Paintings.
Feb 17, 2021

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 6275

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.