How to Paint Lucid Dream Creations With Acrylic
Lucid dreams are dreams where the dreamer knows he is dreaming. According to psychologist, Susan Blackmore, lucid dreams were first written about by Dutch psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden. In 1913, he implied that during some dream states, the dreamer could be conscious of the dream. To paint your own lucid dream creations with acrylic, work directly after you awake to capture the best sense of the dream. Lucid dreams feel more real than other types of dreams, and you should sketch out your painting as quickly as possible to remember all the vivid details.
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Things You'll Need
- Pencil
- Sketchbook
- Prepared canvas
- Acrylic paint set
- Palette
- Paintbrushes
Instructions
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Sketch your lucid dreams in your sketchbook with a pencil as soon as you wake up. Make a habit of drawing all your lucid dreams in this sketchbook and use it like a visual dream journal. You may notice patterns in the dreams and you can choose the best lucid dream to convert into a final acrylic painting.
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Transfer your drawing onto your prepared canvas with pencil by drawing directly onto it. Prepared canvas can be purchased at art stores in any size. They are ready to use and should have one layer of gesso or painting primer. You do not need to have all the details of your drawing on your preliminary painting sketch. You want a basic idea of where all the elements are going.
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Squeeze acrylic paints onto your palette. Start with a few walnut-sized squirts. Acrylic is a fast-drying painting medium and you do not want to waste paint. Squeeze more paint as needed.
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Dip your paintbrush into your paint. Add your desired colors onto the canvas. Acrylic does not need a first thin layer like oil. Paint thin layers, or paint thickly.
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Step back from your painting and look at your sketchbook drawing. Compare the two images and make any changes to your painting. Painting is not a photograph. It is not supposed to capture every detail, but it is supposed to give you an overall feeling about the subject.
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Add tones, such as highlights and shadows, to your lucid dream painting. For highlights, add whites and light yellows. For shadows, use blue or black. Step back again to look at your painting. Add more paint if needed.
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Tips & Warnings
Experiment with mixing colors and do not be afraid to make mistakes. If you do want to make a change, wipe off the excess paint with a rag. Then paint the desired color.
A lucid dream feel reals to the dreamer, even after she wakes. Capture this feeling by using strong lines and realistic imagery.
Paint with acrylics in a well-ventilated room.
Wash your paintbrushes immediately after use. Once the paint hardens on your paintbrush, you can no longer use them.
References
Resources
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