Acrylics Companion

Your pocket-sized, one-stop, catch-all guide to contemporary acrylics – inspiration, practical exercises, and ideas for all levels of artist.

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 color dabbing, working on a base color and refining chaos into order, this book is ideal for beginner to intermediate artists; it will inspire you with new ideas, push you creatively and encourage you to develop your own artistic style.

• Loosen up with a range of fun, inspiring exercises to get you started
• Discover luscious impasto, versatile washes and experimental pouring
• Experiment with different applicators: brushes, knives, and more
• Cut to the chase with visual, easy-to-follow guides to composition, colour theory and using different types of acrylics, including soft, heavy body and more
• Acrylics 101: from choosing and handling your brushes to mounting your finished piece on the wall
• Troubleshoot any concerns or issues
• Take inspiration from dozens of inspirational examples of Hash’s work.

Also available in the series: The Watercolour Companion by Matthew Palmer.

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 UK. 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.

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.