you can learn painting
learn the painting basics
- These are the basics to learn painting.
- Oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings all use the same painting basics.
- They will soon become second nature to you.
- You will confidently enjoy your painting adventure!
- You can paint, too!
how did i learn painting?
I took art in junior high and college to learn painting; it was fun. As a matter of fact I actually minored in art in college.
When my mother retired she took up painting. She and I enjoyed going to various hands-on painting classes together.
My mother said if you teach yourself painting, it is like walking across the United States.
If you learn painting with a good teacher, it is like flying across the United States.
- What did I learn that helped me along the way?
- These are the basics that got me started on the painting road.
paint regularly
If someone is learning to play the piano, they practice every day.
Many professional artists paint every day. I am not saying you should paint every day.
But do paint regularly. Whether you paint daily, weekly or monthly, paint regularly.
When you do a small painting often will put your learning into overdrive!
share your paintings
Share your paintings with your family and art-oriented people.
Join a local art association. Paint with other artists. Go to classes. Go to art shows. Get feedback.
Sharing and seeing other artwork will encourage you and stimulate you with new ideas.
paint familiar things
One of the first things I learned was that you can't do a good job of painting subjects you don't understand.
The best place the start painting is to paint the things you see around you.
My parents had a wholesale tropical fish business. We had numerous outdoor ponds for the fish.
When we fed the fish, they would all swarm around the food. So "Koi Feeding" was a natural for me to paint.
drawing
When you learn painting you will want to do a bit of drawing. It is not necessary to become proficient in drawing before you start painting.
But you need to get your general ideas down on paper. Your drawing skills will improve the more you draw.
When you start a new painting, it is a good idea to do a thumbnail sketch of what you are going to paint.
what do you want to paint?
Ask yourself - Why do I want to paint? What is the purpose of the painting? What do I want to portray?
Your painting will go more smoothly when you get the idea firmly fixed in your mind.
- After you get your idea, concentrate on the three basics of a successful painting.
composition
Composition comes naturally to some people, but it can also be learned.
There are some easy composition concepts you can follow.
how to make paintings that draw the viewer in.
focal point
What is the main subject of your painting? The main subject will be your focal point of your painting.
The focal point or the focal area of the painting is what will draw the viewer into the painting.
values
Learn to see and use values in your paintings.
My first painting lesson from my mother was to do a painting with only one color.
It taught me to use values, instead of color.
color
You are probably anxious to start with color. I am the same way.
I absolutely love color. I think that is one reason I am an artist.
When you have the values in the painting correct, your painting will sing.
I selected My Palette Colors on the basis of the Color Wheel.
choose colors
A simple method I have been using for 20 years to choose the colors for paintings.
mix colors
Mixing paint colors is made easy when you use the color wheel for reference.
color schemes
You can use the same painting colors schemes I often use for my paintings.
paint often to speed your learning
As you learn painting, you are going to want to do some of the how-to-paintings.
I snap pictures when I am doing a painting. I carefully document all the steps I do. I fully explain the why and how of each step. Follow the steps to practice your painting basics.
Then use the methods with your own subjects to create your individual paintings.
Daisy Painting
Follow me step-by-step as I paint some daisies with oils.
painting wC flowers
Painting three different watercolor flowers.
paint a wave
Five easy steps for painting a wave with oil paints.
Most importantly - Have fun learning to paint!
