Acrylics Companion

Hashim Akib is represented by several galleries in the UK and has exhibited with the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, New English Art Club, Society of Wildlife Artists, David Shepherd Artist of the Year and Royal Society of Marine Artists at the prestigious Mall Galleries in London. He is in the UK's National Art collection and has also taught his unique techniques to art schools in the UK, Italy and France.Working as an illustrator in the UK for over 15 years, Hashim gained valuable experience in developing a backbone of drawing, conceptual ideas and various painting techniques. His illustration client list varied from New Yorker magazine, newspapers such as The Times, Daily Express, Daily Mail, Time magazine, ad campaigns for Smirnoff, Esso and a stamp for The Royal Mail.Throughout his career Hashim has won many awards; including in 2009 the SAA (Society of All Artists) Artist of the Year, having won the Professional title in 2005 and 2007. He worked with the art manufacturer Daler Rowney in their relaunch of the System3 Acrylic range, producing paintings for the ad campaign and demonstrating the versatility of the paint at various events and on live television.He has written several books, including Vibrant Acrylics and Painting Portraits in Acrylics, which reached number 1 in Amazon's Acrylic Painting Techniques category. He has been featured in various art publications including The Artist, Pratique des Arts, Art of England and is a regularly contributor to Artists and Illustrators magazine. More recently Hashim has been featured in a publication entitled Painting in Acrylics; The Indispensable Guide, Who’s Who in Art and co-authored Artists Painting Techniques published by Dorling Kindersley in 2016.

• Getting startedAcrylics – what’s the fuss? 8Your paint palette 10Acrylics in a nutshell 12Brush up on the basics 14What brush? 16Warm ups 18Preparing your paints 20Glazing 22Neat paint 24Following a drawing 26Adding a twistLinework with a card 28Spray! 30Mediums: flow improver 32Slow things down 34Modelling paste 36Dry mediums 38Colour pouring 40BrushworkPressure 42Beyond pressure 44Make every mark count 46Drawing with a rigger 48Outlines – the drawing lasso 50One hit wonder 52Negative shape painting 54Colour theoryColours schemes 56Notan 58Colour mixing 60Mixing marvellous mud 62Dominant black 64Break the harmony 66Base colour 68Colourful snow 70Optical colour mixing 72Planning and playingWork quicker, work brighter 60Edit your shots 76Chaos into order 78Black and white into colour 80Flat areas 82Glitching out 84Playing with size 86One-session painting 88Taking your time 90What to paintPainting the everyday 92Café scenes 94Animals 96Night scenes 98Busy streets 100Buildings with character 102Composing portraits 104Portraits on commission 106Painting water 108Painting a series 110Professional tipsUsing found images 112Unhappy accidents 114Finishing off 116Floating frames 118Canvas wedges 120Packaging artwork 122Being arty 124Staying inspired 126 Glossary 128

Your pocket-sized, one stop guide to contemporary acrylics inspiration, practical exercises and exciting ideas for acrylic artists. In this innovative, ideas-led mini guide, master artist and best-selling author Hashim Akib showcases the versatility and vibrancy of acrylic painting. Featuring 64 practical exercises and inspiring insights, on a wide range of subjects, from portraiture to the urban landscape and using a variety of approaches, from colour dabbing, working on a base colour and refining chaos into order, this book is ideal for beginners to intermediate artists. It will inspire you with new ideas, push you creatively, and encourage you to develop your own artistic style.