Painting techniques for beginners?

Question

I want to learn to paint, and I was wondering if you could recommend some books and some websites that have specific techniques with brushes strokes, color, and simple paintings to practice making on my own. Websites would be awesome!
I want to take a painting class over the summer, but for now I am just trying to learn on my own.

Acrylic paints is what I have now.

I want to paint landscapes, or flowers, or abstract.
I need to learn brush strokes and techniques

Answer 1

Here are some free website lessons;
http://painting.about.com/od/paintingforbeginners/Painting_for_Beginners_and_Essential_Painting_KnowHow.htm
http://www.creativespotlite.com/acrylic-painting-lessons.htm
http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/painting.htm
http://www.teacherxpress.com/f.php?gid=34&id=8
http://www.watercolorpainting.com/
http://www.artspace05.com/art_lessons.htm
http://www.simplypainting.com/Oil-Watercolor-Acrylic-Painting-Discussions/forum_posts.asp?TID=1735
http://ca.search.yahoo.com/search?p=free+Acrylic+painting+lessons&ei=UTF-8&meta=vc%3D&fl=0&xargs=12KPjg1vNSk4S8jfanBc6VU5bFgF9%2D9ezFg7p7DOVsHKFk5jQ0BKdyLfaQ2ZYgL7kkq1KUjueW%2DaRnbqDum4%2DLExuMQxHYR7jq3%5FjM2Ik7NgeRaoAUkrBYzsvZrg%2E%2E&pstart=3&fr=ks-ques&b=11
http://www.ask.com/web?q=free+Acrylic+painting+lessons&qsrc=0&o=0&l=dir
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&search=Acrylic+painting+&fulltext=Search
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Painting_materials
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Painting_techniques
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Visual_arts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Art_materials
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Artistic_techniques
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Arts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paints
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Artists+brushes&go=Go
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&search=Artists+brushes+techniques&fulltext=Search
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&search=+brushstrokes&fulltext=Search
Brush strokes below;
http://www.articlesender.com/articles/article4692.html
http://ca.search.yahoo.com/search?p=Free+lessons+on+Brush+strokes+for+Acrylic&sp=1&fr2=sp-bottom&prssweb=Search&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&fl=0&x=wrt&ei=UTF-8&SpellState=n-4092807906_q-Y6YFv3n9c006dC.WKALsKwAAAA%40%40
http://www.ask.com/web?q=Free+lessons+on+Brush+strokes+for+Acrylic&qsrc=0&o=0&l=dir
http://ca.search.yahoo.com/search?p=Free+lessons+on+Brushstrokes+for+Acrylic&prssweb=Search&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&fl=0&x=wrt
http://www.ask.com/web?o=0&pstart=&qsrc=19&l=dir&q=Free+lessons+on+landscape+paintings
Have fun,
Cheers!

Answer 2

There are a lot of good books out there, but you must be specific, or you can waste a lot of time.

brush technique should be secondary to observation, that will develop as your ability to SEE develops.
I am oil painter, but a lot of the same things carry over. Oil paint is a more forgiving medium than acrylics, but if you are determined you can do it with either.
Paul Strisik did a GREAT book on landscape painting, but it is hard to find- It is called The Art of Landscape Painting. Another great landscape book is: Carlsons guide to landscape Painting by John F. Carlson.
Also look for Emile Gruppe books.
These are all well noted landscape painters who have clear methods for learning to paint the landscape.

One more thought...it is century old practice to copy paintings as a form of study. Fantin-Latour paintings of flowers may be worth checking out. Or, set up a flower under a single light-source and draw then paint. One light means use the same light on flower and canvas!

Feel free to stop by my web-site and visit the contact me page if I can be of any help in the future.

Answer 3

Just experiment. Paint. Acrylics and Oils go from dark to light and if you choose watercolors light to dark.

Answer 4

Just paint