Painting

Painting is one of the oldest forms of art. There are several different kinds of painting mediums that you can do: oil, acrylic, gouache (pronounced gwash), watercolor, encaustics (wax), and tempura (usually egg). If you are interested in taking up painting but are not really sure which paint medium you should start with, here is a website that might be able to help guide you to make the best decision for you. There are many different kinds of materials you can use to paint with or on. You are not limited to the typical tools to paint with. Common household items can be used to make unique effects or just make application easier. It is common for some artists to use a kitchen spatula to apply and paint with. Use your imagination. You never know if you might have found the most amazing use for something you have in your home already. Do a little reading up on the different levels of paints (student, intermediate, professional) to determine which kind of paint you should invest in. Not all paints are created the same. I have provided some reading below on what to look for in a paint. Don't be afraid to experiment! If you don't like what you've just painted, you can just paint over it if it is acrylics or scrape it off and start again for oils (however, for watercolors and gouache you will have to start over).If you are new to painting, I recommend that you begin painting still life paintings (i.e. a bowl of fruit) and paint in black and white. Painting still life paintings and using black and white will help you learn more about tones, shading, and light sources. These principles are essential to learning how to painting effectively and understanding how paint works. Paint in black and white for a while to give you a strong foundation with paint and painting. Use this time to really experiment. Also don't be afraid to use a lot of paint (with oils and acrylics).