I just bought some acrylic paint, some brushes (intended for oils or acrylics), and a 12" by 16" canvas. I know what I want to do but I want to make sure I don't do anything wrong. Give me the basics, what should my first step be, etc. Thanks for any help you can provide!
2007-12-04 08:56:36 · 14 answers · asked by DAN 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
I'm looking to do a cubism type work.
2007-12-04 22:04:53 · update #1
Okay this depends on what you are going to do. First you will need to prepare the canvas. If you are only going to use acrylic then gesso the canvas well for an even adherance. If you are only going to use oil then use an oil adhesive for it. If you are going to use both oit and acrylic don't mix the adhesives. Instead use a thin layer of gesso.
The next thing to do depends on you. You can do what I first did when it came to painting and not prepare before painting hoping that you know what direction to take and what you are going to paint.
My suggestion would be to put much thought into what you want to paint. Draw it out on the same size paper as the canvas in as much detail that you want. No shading, just draw. Once you have that done, then you can transfer the drawing to the painting by using carbon paper.
The better thing to do, but trickier, is to draw the picture backwards from what you want it to look like. Such as, if you want that sexy woman you want to draw facing left instead of right, draw her facing right. After you are done with the drawing, you can turn it over and rub the drawing into the canvas if you layered the linework on heavy, or if the paper is thing enough, you can redraw the drawing from the other side by tracing it. This will also put the image on the canvas. Both of these are time consuming but well worth the effort.
That is the "paint by area" method. It works well if you don't like to work in layers.
Artists like me just look at the drawing or redraw it out directly to the canvas. Personally, I mostly prefer to think the entire work out in my mind, and just start painting. I may use rough sketches and photographs for reference because I don't want to waste my time driving around town or out of town for that perfect look. I can manipulate images in my head to make them look they way I want, and then paint them out.
Layering is one of the better techniques. There are several books on this, but just practice, practice, practice. That is how I got better at painting.
2007-12-04 09:24:15 · answer #1 · answered by Harold Sink 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be sure the canvas is gessoed. That is a white finish on it that will hold your paint on the surface and won't allow it to sink in.
Then choose something easy to start with and something you are familiar at seeing. Avoid fabric, wood, and human anatomy first round.
Just use this opportunity to explore what the paints will do with your talent. Pick some easy forms and colors you enjoy looking at.
If you are already good at sketching and drawing, first have that sketch, drawing, or photograph right there along side of you for reference. With experience, you won't need images to "copy".
Also, be careful to not overwork your paint once it is on the palette or on the canvas or you will end up with a muddy mess.
Save the details for last and do the background first.
2007-12-04 10:10:33 · answer #2 · answered by mim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
start sketching and come up with a rough draft, in color. Transfer it to your canvas, (in pencil...I actually like to use chalk...but that is me).
It is fine to use references for your drawing, ie: if you are painting a car in front of a house...get a picture of a house and a car, or better yet, draw them from life).
Acrylics are best if you work with them in thin layers, because they dry so fast. Go from light to dark, (when painting...tonality wise...).
Good luck!
2007-12-04 09:18:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a wonderful view from your mind and then grab a pencil, sketcha out you vision, thena lay down the paint...
You must paint, Beautiful strokes, up and down over anda back... Paint don't tickle ! Nice u c.
Gooda Luck
2007-12-04 09:08:41 · answer #4 · answered by camphec63 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look out the window and see if there is anything you see that catches your eye. If I could paint a picture it would be of where i grew up and what I remember it to be.
2007-12-04 09:05:07 · answer #5 · answered by Soniafrompa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the possibilities are endless, it would be nice to know what it is that you want to do? I'm keen to help, but need more specifics as to your goal with this work.
2007-12-04 11:50:15 · answer #6 · answered by spoky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Breathe deeply. Look at them sternly. Think of Your goal. Now start thinking of the process. Forget fear. Start learning. Enjoy. Good luck.
2007-12-04 09:02:34 · answer #7 · answered by Romentari 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Make a REALLY light sketch of what you want to paint, then . . . start painting!!
2007-12-04 09:59:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sketch it out on paper first. Make the necessary adjustments, and then go for it! Good luck!
2007-12-04 09:02:41 · answer #9 · answered by Bradygirl 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I guess all you need now is some knowledge and talent.
2007-12-04 09:03:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋