Why Does Your Acrylic Paint Look So Streaky? 

At some point, nearly every artist has experienced the frustration of painting with acrylics only to find their work marred by unsightly streaks. This common issue can quickly turn a promising piece into a source of disappointment. You put in the time and effort, but the final result looks far from the smooth, vibrant image you envisioned.

Streaky acrylic paint can be caused by a number of factors, and it can feel overwhelming to pinpoint exactly what’s going wrong. Whether it’s using the wrong brush, working with paint that’s too thick, or trying to cover too large an area at once, these missteps can lead to a streaky, uneven finish. Add in the frustration of using low-quality paint, and it’s easy to see why acrylic can sometimes be tricky to master.

But don’t worry — you’re not alone, and the fix is simpler than you might think. In this guide, “Why Does Your Acrylic Paint Look So Streaky?” we’ll dive into the reasons behind streaky acrylics and share practical tips to ensure your future paintings come out smooth and flawless. From choosing the right brush to perfecting your technique, you’ll be on your way to creating beautiful, streak-free art in no time.

One – You’re Painting Too Large of an Area at Once

One common reason why your acrylic paint looks so streaky is that you’re trying to cover too large an area in a single stroke. When you spread the paint too thin, it can lead to uneven coverage, causing streaks and allowing the background to show through. This often happens when you’re rushing to fill large sections of your canvas without using enough paint to cover the area properly.

If this is the problem, you may also notice the paint layer appears thin. You may be able to see parts of the background underneath.

How To Fix

Streaking caused by painting a large area too fast is a simple issue to fix. If you’re painting too large of an area, simply paint in smaller strokes. 

When painting, there are times when we need to cover large areas of the canvas. There are a couple of ways to go about doing this. The easiest, of course, is simply running the brush over the canvas in large strokes. However, this creates streaking. 

The best way to paint large areas is to start small and make many small strokes. This technique will ensure practically no streaking. 

However, you can also try painting large areas with other things besides brushes – for example, a foam pad or roller brushes. These typically hold on to the paint better and produce a more solid picture.

Two – The Paint is Too Thick

Acrylic paint is known for being on the thicker side. Because of this, it can also appear streaky when the paint doesn’t spread properly. 

Thick paint will cause deep streaking throughout your painting. The streaking issue is amplified if you use improper brushes that apply the paint in too thick a layer. 

Most often, the paint will be too thick if it’s been some time since you used it last. You can help to prevent this by massaging the tubes gently before and after use each time. 

How To Fix

It takes some time to learn how to work with acrylic, but one of the best things you can do to prevent streakiness caused by thick paint is to blend it thoroughly. Sometimes, when it comes straight from the tube, it has been sitting for some time, which can cause the texture to be off. 

Another option is to dilute it with a couple of drops of water. Be very careful with this, though. It’s easy to dilute your acrylic too much. It’s not watercolor and can be wrecked if you add too much water. For this reason, I recommend no more than two small drops at a time. 

You won’t need to thin it too much to get it to a good consistency. Mix after you add your drops, and see if the paint moves fluidly on your mixing palette, then apply to your canvas. If you’ve already painted too thick and want to learn more about fixing acrylic on the canvas, you can learn how in this article, where I explain different ways to your painting.

Three – You’re Using the Wrong Type of Paintbrush

There are hundreds of paintbrush options to choose from, and if you’re new to painting, all the choices can seem a little bit overwhelming. 

With this in mind, it’s not surprising if you’ve chosen the wrong type of paintbrush. So, what’s the right type of brush for acrylic? Well, it depends on what type of painting you’re doing. 

In general, however, you’ll do better with simulated natural brushes. Don’t go cheap on your brushes. In addition, ensure you’re using the right paintbrush for the right job. 

How To Fix

Knowing what type of paintbrush to choose comes with a little education. You can fix this issue by trying out different paintbrushes to see what works best on your canvas and for the section, you’re painting. 

Here are some examples of common paintbrushes and how you can use them. 

• Wash Brush: Wash brushes are huge and are built to cover large areas. If you need to cover a big area, like when applying a base coat or tinting your canvas, it’s best to use a brush like this, at least for one layer. Because they’re built to cover large areas, they are less likely to streak. 
• Flat Brush: These brushes are good for most of your normal strokes. They aren’t great for filling in the details. However, you can experience some streaking from them if you move too fast. 
• Round Brush: Round brushes are great for detail. These brushes are the least likely to streak. 

Remember that choosing the right brush can significantly affect how much streaking shows up on your painting.

Four – The Paint Is Low Quality

Low-quality acrylic is no one’s friend and often produces low-quality paintings. If you’ve purchased your paint from the art package section at your local Walmart, you can’t expect it to be high quality.

Low-quality paints aren’t made with the same materials as professional-grade acrylics. They produce streaky pictures because they clump easily and are thinner than professional paints. 

How To Fix

While you can’t turn low-quality paint into a high-quality one, you can purchase a professional-grade acrylic set. While the professional acrylics run quite a bit higher in price, they’re well worth it when you paint. 

You can consider mixing a little cornstarch into your paint to thicken it for a quick fix. However, remember the cornstarch will affect the color and fluidity of the paint, so use it at your discretion and only add a little at a time. 

With the right types of brushes and the right quality of paint, you’ll hardly ever experience any streaking.

Final Words

So, Why Does Your Acrylic Paint Look So Streaky? If your acrylic paint is streaky, it usually boils down to either improper technique or low-quality materials. Common issues include painting large areas too quickly, using overly thick paint, or choosing the wrong type of brush. Fortunately, these problems can be corrected with practice and the right tools.

To reduce streaking, focus on using smaller strokes, blending your paint thoroughly, and selecting the appropriate brush for each task. Investing in professional-grade acrylics and high-quality brushes will also make a noticeable difference in your results.