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What you need to do and know to learn to paint for the very first time. When you decide you'd like to learn to paint, you will likely encounter the art myth that it takes talent to paint. Don't believe it. The desire to learn to paint and enthusiasm are what you need more than anything else.
Having decided you’d like to learn to paint, you need to decide what paint you're going to use. The four main choices are: oil paints (traditional or water soluble), acrylic paints, watercolor paints, and pastel. It’s a very personal choice, and if you don’t get on with one type of paint, be sure to try another. Selecting Suitable Art Materials and Paints
I believe in buying the best quality paint you can afford that still lets you feel you can play with it.
You need to feel able to paint over something that's not working, or scrape it off if you’re using oils, rather than desperately trying to keep it because of the cost of the paint you've used.
The Steps in Making a Painting
The steps in the creation of a painting are something that varies from artist to artist, and something that develops over time. I like to briefly sketch out the composition on a canvas, then block in the main areas of color right across the canvas, then gradually work on the detail. Sometimes I do studies (small versions) or multiple sketches for a painting, sometimes not. There’s no right or wrong approach; ultimately you must find what works best for you. |
