What's the best way to learn how to paint for a beginner?
I've always been interested in learning how to paint, and finally have some time to dedicate to it! What are the best resources to get started in painting for a complete beginner? Any methods that are best for learning at home?
Answers ( 2 )
The best way is to do it- paint; over and over and over- much like any other skill, for instance, writing.
You practice, over and over, and you get better or learn more each time.
Now, how do you know, given the various types of painting mediums out there and how differently each is handled and how different their results are, which medium, and style, is for you? You have to figure that one out yourself; mediums are like sushi: Lots of different types, and you like some better than others and some you do not like at all.
There are, of course, books- and books and books and books about various mediums and techniques used in each; there are videos, there are online tutorials. But, no matter how many sources you use to learn about those mediums, you won't know which is for you until you try- over and over.
Get the books (library), watch the tutorials, consider the videos if you think it will actually teach you something. You'll at least have an inkling of what the different mediums do, how they work- and don't work. But in order to know your own favorite/s, you have to do it- over and over.
Always buy the best quality supplies you can afford; crappy brushes mean crappy strokes and edges, crappy paint handling. Crappy paints mean poor values, crappy hues and abysmal layering. Crappy ground affects everything, from archival quality to medium handling to techniques available. Buy the best you can afford. Try www.http://jerrysartarama.com for decent prices, decent quality, and often surprisingly good sales.
And, practice. It's the only way to really learn.
The best way to learn how to paint for a beginner is to learn to draw first. Drawing is the foundation for any artwork. Without an understanding of the elements applied to drawing, about line, light and shadow, composition, color, color relationships, perspective, and more, then painting will be a challenge. Learn drawing first. Painting is a direct next step from drawing, and everything you learn in drawing classes or lessons, will be put to best use in painting.