How to start painting
By Catalogs Editorial Staff
With the right tools, you can learn how to create masterpieces
If you’ve got the itch to start painting, there’s no better way to handle it then to dive right in.
You may surprised to learn of all the people who really want to paint, but are too intimidated by the process to even start. Even worse, some folks are simply afraid of failure, so they won’t start.
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If you’re finding the whole thing daunting, there are a few tips you can take to make the process a bit easier to handle. You never know, you may discover painting is your new favorite hobby.
Type of Paint
There are a few different aspects you have to take into consideration when you’re contemplating how to start painting. A variety of different paints are available for you to use, including watercolor and oil-based paints.
For a beginner; however, perhaps the best paint to use is acrylic. Not only is it easy to use, but it is readily available, as you can find it at just about any arts and crafts store. This type of paint is also fairly cost-effective. Acrylic paints are also quick-drying and clean up very easily. The fast drying time of the paint can take some getting used to, but with practice, you’ll likely find this type of paint is the easiest to use for a beginner.
Brushes
You’ll need to have a variety of brushes at your disposal when you start painting. Therefore, make sure you pick up a few different kinds when making your painting purchases. The best brushes to start with are flat, filbert, mop, fan and bright. Each brush creates its own stroke.
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You’ll have to play around with each to find out which you like best and which brush works for which technique you wish to create. And make sure you have coffee cans with water inside so you can clean them off after each use. If you don’t, the bristles will become hard and caked with paint and unusable.
Canvas
You probably already know that you need a canvas to paint on, but do you want to know what type?
Canvas is available in two varieties: cotton and linen. Cotton canvas is moderately priced and is stretchable. However, it absorbs moisture, which means your painting might shrink. Linen canvases typically do not shrink, but they are a bit more expensive than their cotton counterparts. They may also be more difficult to find. However, you can likely find them online. And if you prefer to shop at a store, the manager may be able to special order the linen canvas for you if it isn’t already available.
There are also an almost unlimited variety of papers, boards and other surfaces to paint on. Some artists even paint on found wood or other objects. Test the surface you will be using so that you know how your paint goes on, how it dries and what effects you will come up with.
What to Paint
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of how to start painting is figuring out what to paint. The answer is totally up to you. Of course landscapes are always an option, as are still-lifes. But the best thing to paint is something that inspires you.
Think about what made you want to start painting, and try to paint that, if possible. Whether it’s your children, a beautiful sunset you saw or even something as simple as a flower, you’re sure to enjoy painting it.
Once you start painting, it will likely seem totally natural to you. Your technique will improve and it will become like second nature. Now you just have to figure out what to do with all those works of art.
Resources:
Rex Art: How to Start Painting
Lori McNee: How to Choose the Right Brush for the Painting Technique
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