Painting is a visual language that uses shapes, lines, colors and textures to convey ideas and emotions. It is a way of expression that has been used in various cultures since time immemorial.
There are many different types of paintings, ranging from realistic to abstract and from oil to water-based paints. The choice of medium (paint, ink, gouache, watercolors) and application technique (brushstrokes versus smooth blends) are just two elements that influence the style of the finished work. Having an artistic vision is important to the success of a painting, but so are the technical skills that come with years of practice and experimentation.
An experienced artist knows how to create a painting regardless of the subject matter, model or materials he or she is working with. This comes from years of practice and experimentation as well as the development of a unique artistic voice.
One of the first things that makes a painting good is its tonal values, which are the light and dark areas on the canvas. To get the tones right in a painting, it is helpful to start with a photo that you can use to help you determine the dimensions of your canvas and scale of your subject. A digital image program can be used to blow the image up, which will give you a larger version of the photograph that can be printed out and used as a reference for your painting.
It is also helpful to use a palette that will complement the color of your subject. For example, a landscape with green and blues would look better with a red or purple palette. This helps to avoid clashes of color that can be distracting to the viewer.
The next important skill is observing and understanding your subject. It is important to look at the subject from all angles, and to notice how its shape, size, texture and light affect it. This observation and understanding will allow you to translate that to your canvas using your own visual vocabulary.
Another thing that makes a painting good is its composition. Composition is arranging all the individual elements of your painting to work in harmony and communicate the intended idea to the viewer. Observation and practice of different design methods are the best ways to improve your composition skills.
One of the last important qualities of a painting is its focal point. A focal point can be a bold line, a unique color or even just the contrast of a small detail in a large painting. Having something that stands out and makes your art more interesting will make people take notice and want to ask you how you created it.