Beginning painter...?

Question

I'm really interested in starting some of my own little painting projects. I love art. I sketch and I'm a self employed photographer...so I'm not totally lost when it comes to art...I was just wondering...what would be the best to start out with? Which paints, type of canvas...etc etc....

Answer 1

I'g get a big book of canvas paper. It's paper but it's thick enough to not buckle too much when painting. You'll still want to apply gesso to the paper before actually painting on it. Gesso is a thick acrylic based paint used to prepare a canvas. It provides a nice surface for the paints to adhere to and prevents water or oil from seeping into the canvas. Canvas boards are also an option and cheaper than stretched canvas. Either way, board or paper, it's good for oils and acrylics.

Also grab a book of water colour paper for, obviously, water colours (also good with some styles of acrylic painting, though). No need to gesso that.

Then get a variety of brushes in as many sizes and styles as you want. You can get kits of them but they are usually pretty cheap. Better brushes hold paint better and give cleaner lines. If you can afford it try different types in the higher cost brushes.

Quick brush tutorial: Softer brushes (fox hair, mink, nylon, etc... Like the ones you got with those water paint boxes mom bought) work best with water colours and thinned acrylics. The harder brushes, boars hair, usually, are better for oils and thicker acrylics. That said you can play around and find what you like best.

Ok, next get some pre-packeged sets of oil paints, acrylics, and water colours. For the oils you'll also need some paint thinner (I like Turponoid, good for mixing with the oils as well as cleaning the brushes) and some sort of medium for them. There are bottled "mediums" available (that's what they'll be called on the bottle) or you can mix your own with linseed and/or stand oils, turpentine (or oderless medium quality substitute), and varnish (I suggest damar). It's probably best to start with the pre-mixed medium. It's certainly easier and won't really sacrifice quality, especially while you're learning.

There are also additives you can get to change the nature of acrylic paints. I love sculpting mediums. Lots of 3 dimensional fun ;-) You don't need them but you may want to play a little.

All you need for cleaning water colours and acrylics is water and a mild soap. To clean brushes used in oil first rinse as much colour out as you can in your paint thinner. Dab it on a rag to remove excess thinner then put a little dish soap in your hand and swirll the brush around in it untill you can squeeze no more colour from it. Now rinse with warm water. The soap emulsifies the oil and it'll rinse out very well.

I suggest using masking tape to hold down the paper on a flat surface while you paint. It's especially useful with water colours and the water colour paper. It'll help keep buckling down to a minimum.

Then just play. Experiment with the different types of paint and get a feel for them.

There is also a wealth of books on painting. If you go to your local art supply store they should have a slew of 'em. The employees there are usually pretty helpful in helping you pick out paper and materials. They may also offer classes or instruction there or know where you can find such. Never a bad idea if you can afford it.

Once you find your paint choice you can get into canvases and mixing mediums and such. I just think that jumping right into that can be a waste of money.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Well, if you don't want to spend a lot of money right off the bat you can go to your local Wal-Mart and buy art canvas in the craft department for a low cost. As far as paints go, I'd suggest using acrylics to start out with. They are pretty easy to use and fairly inexpensive if you buy the kind that is used for crafts. (They come in a squeeze bottle with a flip top cap.) I like to use those because they are cheap but still look great on canvas and I don't feel so bad if I waste any.

Answer 3

Really... Do a couple of paint by numbers... They have the paint etc... included... Then go from there...

I dived right into oils but my whole life was art with wood and I did watercolour on wood, stains, even enamels on wood… But it was structured and it painted in the lines etc… So the paint by numbers will get your / hand coordination trained…

Answer 4

acrylics are probably the best way to start out. they dry relatively fast, can be diluted with water, and are easy to paint over if you mess up. good brands to buy are liquitex or winsor newton.

dont buy a bunch of different colors, buy the basic and mix them: red, yellow, blue, white and brown.

the nice thing about acrylics is you can paint on just about anything with them. canvas board is relatively inexpensive, or for larger pieces you can even use Masonite board.
make sure to wash out your brushes though because acrylics turn to a plasticky texture and it will ruin your brushs. use a firmer brush because it will be easier to control the paint.