I discovered a new passion last semester when I took a Color Theory and Application class taught through painting with acrylics. I have enough paint left over to open a store,lol, and I reeeeeaaaallllllllllly want to continue painting, but without an "assignment" I don't know what to paint! It feels wasteful to just mess around or whatever.
I would love to paint pieces for a contest or something but I don't know where to begin.
2007-01-04 14:08:39 · 11 answers · asked by thisones4menotu 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
This may sound a little odd, but... Check out the "Internet Ray Tracing Competition".
Sure, they only want computer generated pictures - that's not the point. What IS the point is: they have a topic, and a two or three month deadline. Use current (or previous) topics as your next "assignment".
Good luck, and have fun!
2007-01-04 14:18:13 · answer #1 · answered by Alan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where to begin? Well, first, you need a motivation.
Painting is all about inspiration. At least, in my eyes, I paint because I want to visually express my own twisted thoughts and ideas. More often then not, my works are all based around some story or situation I envision. Some person or being, creature or entity that I would like to see outside my imagination if only to help tell their story.
It is this goal for which I paint. Some people paint merely for the goal of painting. They like the process, the general act of putting paint to canvas. It doesn't matter what they're painting, they simply like to paint. This isn't me, and I can't say it isn't you.
Finally, the best and most enjoyable form of painting is painting for yourself. Entering a contest or taking on a comission is fine and good, but in the end the intrinsic motivation can overshadow the pure and simple fun behind your art, and when that happens, the fun can die very easily.
You like painting? Find out a few things then. First, discern what it is about painting that you like. Second, find out what it is you like painting best. Third, practice what you like painting until you are completely satisfied with it, and go from there. Anything beyond that third step, well... maybe I'm just too much of a perfectionist, but I haven't gotten that far.
I wish you the best in all your artistic endevours.
2007-01-04 15:07:23 · answer #2 · answered by Shawn L 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pick a theme for a local charity and donate the work for an auction or other event. See if anyone in your town needs a mural. Paint things you think your friends will like & give them as gifts. Paint something for you parents or siblings. Figure out something that goes with your decor and put your own art up in your apartment. See about being part of a painting workshop at the local library, shelter or public school.
2007-01-04 14:30:32 · answer #3 · answered by bionicbookworm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like you alluded, art is all about passion and expression.
What are you passionate about? people? landscape? still life? fantasy?
Decide which direction you want to go in first. Go to your local library or bookstore and photocopy (or buy) some samples of work in the style you admire. Maybe even do a little research on some of the basic history.
Then comes the fun part...brainstorm out at least five different ideas on what you'd like to paint. Think through these ideas and narrow it down to the 2 or 3 that you feel drawn to the most. Then down to the one you want to do first.
I always think its a good idea to experiment with ideas in sets of 2 or 3 paintings, this way, if you're lucky, 1 usually will work out AND you can learn from your mistakes & improve as you go. This is a great way to develop and "self teach" with art.
2007-01-04 14:26:37 · answer #4 · answered by curious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to paint for a contest... you still have to figure out something to paint before hand. Any art contests out there, want you to have the work on hand before you even submit.
You really have to decide what you like to paint -
-Abstracts
-Landscapes
-still life ?
Abstracts are the hardest to paint and sell. Landscapes as traditional ones are the easiest. And still Life's are easy as well. All can be shown with the artist's own creativity thrown in.
Try googling it. Type in random things, ship, boat, apple, pear, ect. On the "image" search. Get idea's from there.and you'll be on your way :)
2007-01-05 09:28:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paint what you are most familiar with, If you are a realist then start with your personal environment, paint personal objects or shapes around the house that you find interesting, and eventually work outward. If you are more abstract oriented, Identify your passions and think of ways to depict them, think about what shapes, colors or symbols best express what you are feeling.
2007-01-06 01:33:23 · answer #6 · answered by you do not exist 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i just doodle.
(i'm a scenic artist, so a canvas is tiny to me)
sometimes it needs some work,
and sometimes it's just right.
it's not a waste. paint is paint.
if you hate it, paint it out and start again.
michaels has really cheap canvasses.
just don't stress.
if you're too afraid to put paint down
you'll never get anywhere.
go for it and learn to enjoy your mistakes,
thats where you'll learn about your own style.
have fun.
2007-01-04 18:29:20 · answer #7 · answered by icky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a portrait or landscape, but don't copy it from a picture or book...make it your own. I also like to paint w/ acrylics.
2007-01-04 14:18:42 · answer #8 · answered by Joel C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The key word is assignment.
forget it, use your eyes, painting is about describing, paint what interests you for if you cannot please yourself who can you please.
Have you ever looked out of a steamy ,misted up window when the heat inside makes the windows condense because its colder outside. paint what you see or imagine you will see. LF
2007-01-04 15:09:19 · answer #9 · answered by lefang 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paint my thoughts.
2007-01-04 14:12:06 · answer #10 · answered by Immortal Cordova 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋