New to painting? Try acrylic markers.
If you have no painting experience, we recommend acrylic paint markers. Their pen-like tips make it easier to follow the contours and control your color. Test the tip and paint flow on paper first.
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VIVID2REAL · PAINTING GUIDE
Your sculpture. Your colors. Your story.
No drawing skills needed. Just follow the lines, paint your colors, and create art that's uniquely yours!
- Acrylic paints or paint markers
- About an hour of painting
- 6 rendered color previews
Allow extra time for drying. More detailed color styles may take longer.
Start painting
This image could not load. The instructions below are still available.
This image could not load. The instructions below are still available.
01
Get ready.
Your ivory sculpture, a few colors, and a protected table. You’re ready to begin.
- Acrylic paint markers, or acrylic paints with a small brush.
- A sheet of paper for testing colors and paint flow.
- A protective mat or cloth for your table; a palette if you use paints.
Paints and tools are not included. Gently remove surface dust and keep the sculpture dry. Prepare your markers or paints according to their instructions.
02
Choose your colors.
Both finishes include 6 personalized rendered color previews. Follow one, combine ideas, or choose your own colors.
Start with a few colors you love. Leaving some areas ivory can be part of your design.
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03
One stroke at a time.
Follow the sculpted shapes and take your time. Your own choices are what make the piece personal.
Set up your space.
Protect your table, dust the sculpture gently, and lay it on a clean, dry surface. Keep your tools within reach.
Test your palette.
Choose a preview or your own colors. Test the shade and paint flow on paper before touching the sculpture.
Paint the larger shapes.
Begin with larger areas of hair, background, or face. Follow the relief contours and build color in thin layers.
Add your own details.
Use a fine tip or small brush for smaller areas, dots, and lines. Simple marks can give the piece its own character.
Let each layer dry.
Wait before adding another coat or correcting a color. Follow your paint’s drying instructions; there is no single drying time for every product.
Enjoy your finished piece.
Let the paint dry fully before handling or wrapping. Display your sculpture, photograph it, or share it with someone special.
Little tips. More confidence.
Start simply, paint in thin layers, and give yourself room to try again.
Pale colors may need two coats.
Skin tones and other light shades often look more even after a second thin coat. Let the first coat dry before adding the next instead of applying one thick layer.
A mistake is not the end.
Let the area dry, then cover it with thin layers of opaque white acrylic paint. Once the white is dry, add your chosen color again. Test coverage first; some paints need more than one coat.
Large areas first. Details last.
Use a comfortable broad tip for larger shapes and a finer tip for small details. Rest your hand where the paint is dry, and leave a little ivory if you like the look.
Watch the color take shape.
Real painting, different portraits. Explore color ideas and simple techniques.
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04
Make the process part of the gift.
Record a few moments as you paint. Keep the video for yourself, or share it with the person receiving your sculpture.
- Set your phone vertically on a steady support, with the sculpture and your hands in view.
- Capture the ivory beginning, a few painting moments, and the finished piece. Short clips are enough.
- Use gentle light and a clear view of the artwork. Save your original footage before editing or sharing.
A little help with your video.
Vivid2Real customers can receive one complimentary simple edit per order. Send us your painting footage and we will help turn it into a keepsake.
Get editing helpOpens your email app. Include your enquiry or order reference and attach your footage or a file-sharing link.
30–60 seconds
Provide up to 10 minutes of painting footage. We create a 30–60-second video with simple cuts, speed adjustments, basic captions, and one small revision.
We confirm the editing arrangements and delivery time by email.
Recording and editing are separate from public sharing. Asking for editing help does not give us permission to publish your photos or footage, and does not automatically apply a sharing coupon.
Need a little guidance?
Paint-marker guidance from POSCA ↗Are paints and tools included?
No. You supply your acrylic paints or paint markers and any brushes. Both sculpture finishes include 6 rendered color previews for reference.
What if I paint the wrong color?
Let it dry, then test an opaque white acrylic layer to cover the area. Allow that layer to dry before repainting. Thin coats give you more control; coverage depends on the paint you use.
Do I have to share my recording publicly?
No. You can keep it private or share it personally with the recipient. Brand publication requires separate permission confirmed by email, even if we help edit the video.
Make it yours.
Have a photo in mind or a painting question? Tell us about the sculpture and colors you imagine.