Painting is an expressive art that can be found throughout history in every culture. It is a visual representation of an idea or a memory and can be done on almost any surface including rock, paper, wood, canvas or cloth. Paint is a combination of pigments (natural or synthetic) suspended in a binder. It was first created from earth, mineral or plant materials but by the fifteenth century oil-based paints had a major impact on the development of Western painting.
Choosing a subject for a painting is one of the most important parts of starting to paint. It is important to choose something that inspires you and provides challenges. The subject should also provide opportunities to develop your skills and practice new techniques. It is also helpful to pick a subject that fits with the type of painting you are most interested in creating.
When painting from a photograph, it is helpful to work on the computer to crop the image, lighten or darken shadows and highlight areas. It is also useful to do a sketch of the composition using either a soft pencil or charcoal which will help you position the main shapes in your painting and make sure that it is balanced.
Having the right materials is essential for any painter and it is important to start with high quality artist grade paints. Cheap or value brand paints will not mix nice colors and can be frustrating when you are trying to learn the basics of painting. It is also important to invest in a quality brush set and a palette. A quality brush will feel good in your hand and be able to create different types of marks.
A lot of beginners start with watercolour or acrylics which are easy to use and fast drying. It is also helpful to do a rough version of your painting on art paper to help you decide how to place the colours before you commit to the canvas. It is also helpful to take breaks from a painting, especially if you are working on it for a long time. It is easy to get ‘burnt out’ and it will make you less productive when you do return to it.
It is also helpful to spend time reading about the artists who came before you and look at their paintings. This will give you an insight into their styles, techniques and the tools they used to create their masterpieces. It is also helpful to remember that there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ painting, so don’t be discouraged by the mistakes you may make while learning to paint. Keep practicing and try to embrace ‘Happy Accidents’ as they are often the beginning of a creative breakthrough. With a little practice, you will find that you improve with each stroke of your brush and your level of skill will compound over time. Good luck!