how can i get started on painting?

Question

i mean ive always wanted to learn how but dont know were to start.

Answer 1

I taught myself. I just got a brush and some paint and things to paint on and went for it. And now I do it professionally! Classes will help, but aren't completely necessary, depending on your drive and motivation. You can learn an awful lot about painting by frequenting online painting forums and discussion groups. Many of the "professionals" that I know are also self taught.

I would say to get a round brush, a filbert, a flat/shader brush, and a liner brush to start. All somewhat small to medium size. Unless you are planning on painting huge canvases. I don't recommend the cheapy brushes you see in sets at Walmart and places like that. Brushes DO make a difference. You can go to Michaels if you are in the US and get Royal Soft Grip brushes for $2.99, any size, and they will be great. Buy a few bottles of acrylic paints when you are in there, either Decoart or Delta. Come home, and start painting on some card stock or cardboard or what ever you have. The more you paint, the better you will become and the more you will know how to do it!

Answer 2

Well I started painting when i was about 8, but I sucked until a few years ago, when I dilligently began to practice. Besides, its never too early or too late.

See if where you live offers classes through a college or activities center. Another way to learn basics of art (which you'll use no matter the medium) is to get a book like "Drawing for children" or "Drawing for Adults" (unfortunately I have no idea the name of the author, but they're what I started on, and any good art book will help) especially if you want to be able to draw or paint realistically. Keep in mind that whatever you paint doesn't have to meet your standards right away, and in fact you might never be happy with it, if you're really perfectionistic.

Also, if anyone you know paints, ask them to give you pointers.
What I would recommend you NOT do is go out and buy a lot of expensive supplies, many of which you probably won't use. (example: I have palette knives, and I NEVER use them, but some paint books say you can't do without them). Before you buy any supplies, decide whether you want the route of oil or watercolor, or both! and make sure you try that kind of painting before making large purchases. And, acrylic is a very good alternative to oil, and in my experience it looks very good without the mess.

OK i realize that this is a lot of information, but I do hope some of it helps, and good luck to you!

Answer 3

You have taken the first step.

Decide if you really want to be a good artist or just create something that can hang on your walls. To be a good/great artist you need to start with the basics. The foundation on a house goes down before the wall and a lot of work happens before you put on the roof. Art is a path and a very long one, never dull, and you will never learn all there is to learn.

I would suggest....
Check your area for some painting or drawing classes, City recreation centers, private individuals; colleges and universities often have non-credit classes available. Be sure that the teacher you choose knows what she is doing. There are a lot of "sunday painters" who think they can teach, but all they do is show you how to make their mistakes.

Start with drawing, carry a paper and pad with you at all times. A simple #2 pencil and a small pad 8x10 will do to start. Don't wory about likeness, just train your hand and eyes to work together. draw, draw, draw, ets. Draw while watching TV, stack the images on the paper, don't even look at the paper, it's just training.
Then you can start a formal drawing class, learn perspective, shading, design, and other drawing skills...etc.

When you feel brave start with color, pencil, crayon, oil pastels, pastels, any will do. (avoid cheep map pencils, yuck!)
By this time you have been doing some reading and observing and can decide if you want to start with oils, acrylics, or watercolors.

Oils, take forever to dry, can get muddy, but gives you lots of blending time, they are more translucent and colors more true;
buy good quality supplies.

Acrylics: dry faster, if you don't like what you did wait a minute and it will be dry enough to paint over, they dry less transluent and more chalky, and they eat brushes, Use a less expensive brush in acrylics than oils.

Watercolors, are sometimes referred to as the "happy accident" and it's not always happy. Watercolors, can be used heavy and resemble an oil or acrylic painitng or can be a wash style, light and airy. Your learning experience in W/C is only as good as they quality of supplies you use.
Great brushes at www.lynarts.com

You can find great books "on line" to learn from, Water Foster books have been around for a "million" years and a quite good, and can usually be found in almost any art supply store.

But first decide where you want to go with your art, pick a path, and stay on your road to your goals. This is a lifetime adventure.

lyn

Answer 4

I took art classes when I went back to school and I learned a lot from them about how to paint people I have always draw-ed since I was a very young child, it is fun and something to do with my time, I don't paint for any thing other than my self because it relaxes me, you have a lot of good answers, but I just went to wal-mart and got me a cheap water color set and cheap boards to paint on and my advice is for you to do the same until you fell that you are ready to move on to a higher level and can invest in a better paint set and then i would try Hobby lobby they have a lot of different kinds and at different prices to suit you and your needs, good luck and have fun doing it...

Answer 5

I suggest using acrylic paints first. Pick a fairly easy picture, or make your own design. Either way, get a piece of canvas and draw on it with pencil exactly what you want. the paint will cover it up once you paint over it. Try doing the background first, and then move to the middle ground, and foreground of the picture. notice on the picture where light looks reflected to make an object look three dimensional. a good way to practice this is to place a ball with a light shining on it in front of you, and practice shading and adding white on a painting. it takes practice so good luck!

Answer 6

There used to be a PBS tv show called "The Joy of Painting" with Bob Ross and another one called "The Magic of Oil Painting" with William Alexander. Check with your local art store or check the internet for videos you may purchase because these shows are not on tv any longer at least not in my area. The shows were very helpful because Bob Ross and William Alexander would demonstrate techniques that would enable beginners to pain very elaborate landscapes.

Answer 7

finding out to color has little or no with what you paint, as an alternative it being the way you paint. panorama at present , a nonetheless existence the next day to come . a summary or portrait subsequent week. it issues little study to color whatever and the whole thing. That is a mark of a well artist. It is right such a lot Artist begin with Stills , however there's no set rule to that. Start with the fundamentals of type(form) significance(colour) and edges. In Landscapes that's a tremendous curve to study feel me. So tremendous many Artist grow to be caught of type in one of the crucial many factors. Just as many grow to be caught in stills , landscapes and so forth. Just view it as finding out to color ANYTHING Good success

Answer 8

Taking classes is the best way to learn. You should have some background knowledge on the elements of art and principles of design. Knowledge in color theory is essential. Acrylics are good for beginners. Some museums offer classes that are a lot cheaper than college courses. Classes are the best way to go. Good luck!

Answer 9

Get some canvas board and three or four colours of acrylic paints, and a couple of brushes. Then look at something, and try to sketch it on the canvas board and then paint in the areas.

Answer 10

Start by drawing, then when you get the hang of it, buy cheap canvas and brushes , and try different things without giving yourself any kind of pressure. Go to the library and pick up a few books to get the basics. I really taught myself and now I sell portraits regularly for 500$ each and people are absolutely amazed at the realism and beauty of my art.!