13. The Scraped Rainbow Acrylic Technique
This high-energy, vibrant technique is perfect for beginners who want to play with bold colors without getting muddy results. To begin, place small dollops of acrylic paint in a straight line across the very top of your canvas. You can use the colors of the rainbow, or a curated palette of warm or cool tones. Make sure the dollops are generous and placed relatively close to one another.
Taking a firm tool with a flat edge—such as a large squeegee, a thick piece of heavy cardboard, or a plaster scraper—place it behind the paint dollops. In one smooth, continuous motion, drag the scraper firmly down to the bottom of the canvas. The paint will stretch and blend into beautiful, vertical stripes, creating a stunning waterfall of color. Because the paint is dragged quickly, the colors run parallel to each other rather than mixing completely, resulting in a clean, vibrant, and modern abstract piece.