Painting is a highly creative art form that uses color, shape and line to express ideas and emotions. Painting is often thought to be difficult but it’s actually a very accessible medium that anyone can master with some time and practice. There are many different types of paint but oil, acrylic and watercolour are most commonly used. Regardless of the type of paint used, there are certain essential techniques that every painter should know to create an effective painting.
The first thing a beginner should do when beginning to paint is consider why they are interested in the art form and what they hope to get out of it. The answers to these questions will guide how the painter approaches the medium and which painting techniques they should learn.
Once the initial considerations have been made, the next step is to choose a canvas or other rigid support on which to work. Traditionally, paintings have been created on canvas but there are other rigid supports that can be used including wood, laminated panels and metal. The canvas or support will then be prepared which usually involves priming it with a ground that is a suitable base for the paint.
A good brush is a must for any painter. A wide variety of brushes are available but beginners will probably want to start with a round or flat brush, such as a filbert, that can be used for both blocking in large areas and also covering detail. A good quality brush will allow the artist to control the flow of paint, which is particularly important when working with transparent watercolours where mistakes cannot easily be corrected.
When painting a real scene from life it is useful to start with a low contrast photo and use this as your reference to help you see the shadows and highlights better. Photographs can be quite high contrast so a low contrast reference will make it easier to establish the correct balance of light and dark in your painting.
If you’re using a slow-drying paint, such as oils or acrylics, it is important to begin with an underpainting to establish the darks and shadows. A thin layer of burnt umber or a mix of burnt sienna and phthalo blues will help to give the painting depth and texture, while helping to avoid the stark white of the fresh paint. It is also helpful to have a roll of kitchen towel close at hand to clean brushes as necessary.
Creating texture in a painting can add a great deal to its interest and appeal. A variety of materials can be added to the paint, ranging from sand and crushed egg shells to the traditional brushes. The amount of texture can be controlled by the thickness of the paint, with a thicker application resulting in more visible brush marks. The painter can also use the illegible script or symbols that can be found on some ancient Greek and medieval manuscripts to create a unique, textural quality in their work.