The art of painting is a multi-faceted and complex medium that has been around for millennia. It has been used to record and represent the world in a variety of ways, from the creation of cave paintings by primitive peoples to modern portraiture. It has been a reoccurring theme in art and design throughout the centuries and is still going strong today.
The Origin of Painting
The history of painting is an ancient one and goes back thousands of years to the Neolithic period when rock paintings were first discovered in caves all over the world. These paintings are a form of expression for the primitive tribes, and were used to communicate messages, feelings and beliefs.
They were also important in forming the social structure of these communities and were often influenced by the beliefs of the culture. They were a way of expressing ideas and making sense of the world, and they became one of the most popular forms of artwork in the ancient world.
Throughout the centuries, painting has been developed and adapted to suit different cultural requirements. These changes are often due to the introduction of new technologies, but it is also a result of the changing nature of the society itself.
Paintbrushes have a lot of functions in art and can be used for many things, from adding texture to your work to mixing colours. You can also use them to create a scratchy effect on your work using sgraffito techniques, which involves scratching into an existing layer of paint.
Dry Brushing
A dry brush is a brush that is mostly dry to the touch but it holds paint within its bristles and this can be used to create a rougher and more textured effect on your work. This technique is particularly useful when you are trying to portray the texture of the natural world and can be found in paintings such as clouds and trees.
Sgraffito
Despite its name, sgraffito is not a new technique and has been in use since the Renaissance. It is an ancient art method that involves scratching through a layer of paint to reveal a unique pattern or shape. This can be done with any object, such as a paintbrush or a palette knife.
Painting techniques are an essential part of the art of painting and they will drastically help you develop your skills as an artist. These techniques are a great way of getting to grips with colour, tone and brushwork and can give you the tools you need to become a successful artist.
Block-in
A basic painting technique that is commonly used to get a loose idea of the subject of your painting without having to worry about details or colouring. This involves putting down a basic colour, usually a single tone, to establish the loose shapes of your work before you begin to add other colours and detail.
It is important to be aware of when you should use this technique and how it can affect your work. You should only do this when you are confident that you have mixed the right tone and are happy with how it is looking on your canvas.