What would be the easiest paint medium for a novice painter to begin with?

Question

I have never painted or seriously drawn a picture before. I am a creative person though, and love to write and view art. I especially love surreal and abstract watercolor paintings. I don't think I have any real artistic talent in the way of drawing faces, flowers, etc. Basically I like surreal and abstract paintings, and especially like the way watercolors come across. I am looking to start a hobby, and think I would enjoy mixing colors and creating unique images.

I have been told by several people, including my husband, that watercolors is one of the most difficult and frustrating mediums for a beginner to start out with. He recommends colored pencils or chalk. I don't want to do drawings. I want to blend colours and create surreal type images.

Are there any recommendations for the medium I should begin with? And also, cost ? I can't really afford to buy top notch supplies. Since it's a hobby, I want to be pratical.

Lastly, Is watercolor a bad idea for a novice?

Answer 1

first of all thanks for having the guts to try something and the sense to ask for input go with watercolor you are not intending to paint the next masterpiece for MOMA.... just something to enjoy doing. Get a simple book on technique .....not drawing or reproducing images and go for it ..... experiment all you want and then keep a small journal about what you did so you can consult it when necessary to reproduce it again with that info. ....... Buy a simple pad of watercolor paper from an art supply store .... on line try Daniel smith .....I have used them for 30 years. Get three or four brushes of medium price.... ones that you like the shape and feel of then then sit down every day for an hour or two and give it your best intuitive shot .....do not worry about anything coming of it until about the 20th one ..... check out on line for work by others that you like and just be good to yourself about what it is that you are attempting to do ........ enjoy THE PROCESS and how it makes you feel as much as you enjoy the end product and you will never go wrong.

If you wish to discuss your work I already act as an on line mentor for several artists at no charge. My e-mail addy is on my fact sheet under my avatar. good luck and above all forget everything you think you know and just go for it

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I think you should learn how the different kinds of paint blend before you just start blending.

Watercolor is difficult! If you mess up, its hard to go back over it without making a huge smudge mark. It's best to work up from the background (so its good to have a VERY LIGHT sketch on the paper - if its too dark you will see it through the paint). It's also a good idea to block out the white parts with a glue. Rubber Cement is a good glue to use, its easy to apply and all you have to do to get it off is to run an eraser over it (when the paint is completly dry!).

Oil blends well, but it may be a little frustrating at first (I am still trying to find my oil legs). It is easy to go back over mistakes but it does take a week or so for the paint to completly dry. However, you can use this towards your advantage by experimenting with the blending of different paint during the different drying stages. Also, it smells! Woo! You're going to have to make sure you're in a well ventaliated area and wearing clothes you don't mind staining.

I suggest acrylic for a beginner. It's easy to blend and relatavily easy to cover up. However, if you blend it too much it'll become kind of pasty on the paper.

Have you thought of scultpure? There are many different kinds of things that you can make a scultpure out of! And if it doesn't turn out right, you can just say "it is ART"!

No matter what you chose, please remember that you're not going to whip out a masterpeice on your first try (but if you do: kudos!). It'll take practice to find which medium you like to work with best! I suggest, if you can afford it, get a little watercolor paint, a little acrylic and maybe a little oil. Try to get them all in tubes (its easier to measure out paint that way and an easy clean up!).

Good luck and welcome to the art world!

Answer 4

I don't know if they exist any more, but there used to be a product called "Craypas" (not sure about spelling). They were shaped liked crayons, yet blended like paint. We used them very successfully in an art class some years ago.

I don't understand why watercolors would be so difficult for beginners--you could buy a very small quantity and give them a try. Perhaps at the art supply store, someone could recommend another medium.

Answer 5

None of it is easy if you want to start with no art background.

I would say you should start with tempra paint just to mess around with colors.

Move on to acrylic, and learn about color mixing even more.

If you have a lot of money, and want to start with the most difficult, start with oils.

If you want a challenge, start with 3 colors: Red, yellow, and blue. The best artists use those colors only and can make a masterpiece by blending from those 3. It is cheaper that way too.

Oil painting takes a lot of "ingredients", and equipment. It is messy, but very rewarding.

I would really say that if you want to spend money and just jump into something that is complicated and messy, try AIRBRUSH painting. The type of art you say you like would best be imitated by airbrush techniques.

I had a classical education in fine arts, so oils are my only medium for paint for me. I know absolutely nothing about airbrushing, but it'll give you that surreal mood you look for.

(I would highly recommend pastels for low budget, not too messy, controllable medium.)

Answer 6

You know, I just got really into painting a few months ago. I started with watercolor, and I've since tried other mediums and watercolor is still my favorite.
I think people say it's more difficult because the paint is harder to work with, but for me it's much more fun, and I can get the desired effects out of it much easier.

You can get a cheap starter kit for around $30. So if you try it and don't like it, then you're not out much.
I'd say try it!

Answer 7

I paint and teach watercolor. Most of my beginners have been told the same story as you.. Watercolor is the best technique for beginners.. The material is cheap and It has a long shelf life. I have tubes of paint that I bought 5 years ago and they are fresh as new.
The fact that you can't put a light color over a dark one has added to the bum rap about not being able to fix mistakes.. If you use non-staining pigments, you can wash away the first color and repaint it as though it was virgin paper. The most important material is PAPER.
Nobody can make a good painting on junk paper. here are some suggestions to get you started;
PAPER- Arches 140 Cold Pressed..Buy a 20 sheet block. About $20.00
BRUSH- My students use Pro Arte or Leow Cornell ..Buy a #12 round, A 1 inch flat, and a #4 Rigger..About $40.00
PAINT- We use Van Gogh, It is good quality and costs about $2.00 for a 10ml tube....Buy
lemon yellow, cobalt blue, madder lake deep,
and viridian green,...That's $8.00
PALETTE- Use a white china dinner plate
Now you only need to add a water container (yoghurt container),paper towells or toilet paper, a no.#2 pencil, and a kneaded eraser (about .75 cents).. TOTAL OUTLAY LESS THAN $70.00.. AND THIS WILL KEEP YOU GOING FOR THE FIRST 20 PAINTINGS.
(40 if you use both sides)
FINALLY, GET A GOOD BOOK OF INSTRUCTION. My favorite is "LET'S GET STARTED" by Jack Reid ($15.00)
Hope This Helps..Enjoy yourself..

Answer 8

Do Like childrens, (when a child paint he does not ask what to paint he just paint his imagination and paint what evercome in his mind.) I think you just start painting what ever is your idea come up. Just play with color on any background, Great classical Italian master of 14 or 15 century paint on red background and use greenish color for drawing and then paint the motive. Make the floral design if like. All the best and good luck.

Answer 9

Study the basics first. The elements & principles of art. Elements being, line, shape, colour, texture, tone. Principles being, rythem, compostion, harmony,...ect.. Most professional and famous artist specialize in only two or three basic art elements in their artwork and style. usually if you put all elements in your art is turns out unpleasing to the veiwers. You may feel you may not need to drawing or start out in an easer meduim, but it is out most suggested. To maximize your expression and passion for creating good art and are that is you, you need to study the basics. By studing these things you will find your own individual style and learn how to express your own philosophies and what you feel strongly about. Drawing can help you understand the basics easyer and develop a strong unique style. It takes along time. You can never get enough of them, you may see them a different way the second time around or a new way over years. It is not so much the medium but the basic thinking and understanding behind art that will launch you hobby or further it.

Anyway, it is important to do what you feel is right, only then, you will learn and be ready to learn. Good luck, and there is no authority or pressure in art.

Answer 10

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