How to Start Painting: A Beginner's Guide to Unleashing Your Creativity on Canvas
So, you've decided to dive into the world of painting. Congratulations! I truly believe that everyone can and should paint, it’s just a matter of refining your style or choosing to have fun with it. Whether you're drawn to the acrylics, oil paints, or the watercolours, painting offers a unique way to get in touch with and express yourself. You may find yourself asking, "How do I start painting?" In this beginner's guide, we'll explore the essential steps to help you kickstart the physical side to your painting journey.
Gather Your Supplies:
Before you can begin painting, you'll need to gather the necessary supplies. At a minimum, you'll need paint, brushes, a canvas or painting surface, a palette, and water or solvent (depending on the type of paint you're using). Visit your local art supply store or browse online to find quality materials that fit your budget and preferences. If you’re in the UK I recommend Jackson’s Art or Cass Art :)
Choose Your Medium:
Painting encompasses a variety of mediums, each with its own unique characteristics and techniques. Consider experimenting with different mediums such as acrylics, oils, watercolours, or gouache to find the one that resonates with you. Each medium offers its own set of challenges and opportunities for creativity, so don't be afraid to explore and experiment. When working with Oils remember to look up safety measures first as both the paints and the solvents can be dangerous to work with! If you’re under the age of 18 I’d recommend starting with Acrylics or Watercolours first then working your way up.
Set Up Your Workspace:
Create a dedicated space in your home where you can paint without distractions. Make sure your workspace is well-lit and ventilated (safety measure here! Please don’t ignore), with plenty of room to spread out your materials and get as messy as you like. I’m super messy with my workspace, helps with my creativity…or at least that’s how I justify it.
Choose Your Subject:
When starting out, it's helpful to choose a simple subject to paint. Consider starting with still-life compositions, landscapes, or abstract designs that inspire you, you can paint from life or from photos too. Try to use royalty-free photos or photos you took yourself - avoid Pinterest and Google as the copyright holders won’t be too happy should you sell your painting of their work. Look for interesting shapes, colours, and textures that you can translate onto canvas. I’ll be writing a blog on how to take your own photos soon, if you’d like early access please subscribe to my Patreon :)
Sketch Your Composition:
Before diving into painting, take some time to sketch your composition on paper. This preliminary sketch will help you plan out your design, establish proportions, and work out any potential challenges before you begin painting. Don't worry about making your sketch perfect—focus on capturing the essence of your subject and the overall composition. The messier and more expressive the better!
Mix Your Colors:
Mixing colours is an essential part of painting. Experiment with different combinations of primary colours (red, blue, and yellow) to create a wide range of hues and tones. Start with a limited palette of colours and gradually expand as you become more comfortable with colour mixing. Keep a clean palette and plenty of mixing space to avoid muddying your colours. I personally refined my pallet right down to just black and white paints as this suited what I needed to express - remember, there are no right answers with art!
Start Painting:
With your sketch and colours prepared, it's time to start painting! Begin by blocking in the larger shapes and areas of your composition, working from general to specific. Use broad brushstrokes and thin layers of paint to build up your image gradually - or don’t, do whatever feels natural to you and experiment with different brushstrokes and approaches! I, for example, don’t paint in layers, I tend to go straight into detail, but layers might work better for you.
Experiment with Techniques:
Try out different brushstrokes, layering techniques, and texture-building methods to add depth and interest to your paintings. Don't be afraid to make ‘mistakes’—every brushstroke is an opportunity to learn and grow as an artist and it may turn into a happy accident. I like to see “errors” as adding to the life of the painting. You can do no wrong because you did everything and that’s pretty cool.
Practice Regularly:
Like any skill, painting takes practice and patience to master. Set aside time each day or week to paint, even if it's just for a few minutes at a time. The more you paint, the more you'll develop your skills and gain confidence in your abilities. Reminding myself here to paint more.
Seek Inspiration:
Drawing inspiration from other artists and artworks can help fuel your creativity and expand your artistic horizons. Visit art galleries, museums, and online platforms to discover new artists and styles that resonate with you. Don't be afraid to study and learn from the work of others—it's all part of the journey toward finding your own unique voice as an artist. Check out my work here for some inspiration!
Reflect and Learn:
After completing each painting, take some time to reflect on your work. What did you learn from the process? What challenges did you encounter, and how did you overcome them? What do you like about it? What don’t you like about it? Use each painting as an opportunity to learn and grow as an artist, building on your successes and learning from your mistakes.
In conclusion, starting painting is an exciting and rewarding journey that offers endless opportunities for creativity and self-expression. By following these essential steps and embracing experimentation and exploration, you'll be well on your way to discovering the joy and fulfilment of painting. So grab your brushes, unleash your imagination, and let the magic of painting begin!
Don’t forget to check out my gallery if you’re looking for black-and-white painting inspiration :)
Stay creative!
Krystan-Grace Art