Art Journal: Distinct Characteristics Of Coffee Painting And Acrylic Painting

Hello, art enthusiasts! How's everyone doing? I hope you are all well. Today, I created an interesting coffee art piece inspired by nature. My reference for this artwork came from one of my old paintings done in acrylic. Please take a look and share your thoughts!

Coffee painting and acrylic painting are both prominent mediums, each with its defining characteristics and techniques that set them apart.

Coffee painting employs coffee as the primary pigment, resulting in a distinctly earthy palette with a lovely watercolor-like effect. This technique is accessible and straightforward, making it an excellent choice for artists at any skill level.

In coffee painting, either instant or brewed coffee is diluted with water to achieve various shades of brown. The paint is applied to watercolor paper with brushes, and the finished piece can be framed behind glass for preservation.

On the other hand, acrylic painting utilizes acrylic paints, which are water-based pigments combined with a synthetic resin binder. This medium offers a vast array of vibrant colors and versatile textures, enabling both thick, textured layers and delicate, translucent washes.

Acrylic painting is a top choice for both beginners and seasoned artists thanks to its quick drying time, affordability, and user-friendly nature. It can be applied to various surfaces, including canvas, paper, and wood, with the option to mix in mediums for even more effects. Whether you're just starting or have been creating for years, both mediums provide endless creative opportunities!

For this coffee painting, I used three types of painting brushes for this piece, and it took me an hour to finish it. For those who are interested in trying this unique medium, you can follow the basic methods below.

Materials Needed:
👉 Watercolor Paper or sketching Paper
👉 Pencil and Eraser
👉 Coffee Powder
👉 2 small cups ( lighter and darker shades)
👉 Ruler
👉 Clean Water
👉 Rag
👉 Paper napkin or paper towel

Brushes:
👉 Flat Brush /small #10, 10/32 / 8.0mm
👉 Liner Brush #2 / 2/32" / 1.6mm
👉 Filbert brush

Note: Keep all the materials ready before you start painting.

Basic Procedure:
• Outline or sketch your painting reference.
• Paint using a lighter shade of the background by creating a beautiful texture.
• On the middle ground, paint the first layer of the subject.
• The same procedure with the foreground.
• Once the first layer is completely dry, you can proceed to paint with a darker shade of coffee.
• Then add details to come alive of your painting. I used a liner brush for the thin details.

Take note: In putting details, you cannot have sharp lines and shapes unless it is completely dry.

Painting Process:

This is the finished painting

In Wall Photo Frame

That's all for today. I hope I have inspired you with this simple art using a unique painting style. Thank you for stopping by and God bless, Hiver friends! Happy Painting! 😊

Thank you to everyone who has always supported my art.

@caydenshan