Finding A New Inspiration

I have to interrupt our beginning painting series to interject thoughts on an experience I had at my daughter's  conference this week.  I volunteered to run an art auction to raise money for her policy network.  These people were some of the most highly educated, selfless, kind people I have ever met.  The artist was donating 20 oil paintings that took him a year to complete.  He also told me he was donating a series of paintings to the local homeless shelter and some paintings for a small DC chapel.  All this while working full-time. 

Suddenly, I felt ashamed that I had done so little with my art for others.  I vowed that I would donate my paintings to the local shelter and hospital and set about other ways I could help others with my art.  I am excited to start my new projects!  

It's funny how God works.  I have been trying to sell my paintings with little success in the last few months.  As soon as I started to put others first, several people have reached out to me and wanted to buy paintings!

                                                                     Silver River Path

Begin Painting

Ok, so now you have your supplies.  I will do my best to help you along.  Of course, it is better to get instruction in person.  I can teach you personally if you live in the area or I know of some other artists that teach also.  Just contact me here.   Another resource that I have used that is free, is you tube.  Just search for that site and type in whatever kind of painting you are interested in and you can watch all kinds of painters for free.

Some would disagree, but in my opinion you should start with acrylics.  That is what I started in and it is very forgiving.  If you don't like what you painted, you can paint over it and start over.  Also, you can paint over it with oils later if you like.  You can't paint over oil with acrylic.  Eventually it will crack or peel.

You will need to decide what your subject will be.  What do you want to paint?  I paint landscapes because I love them.  Your subject should be something you love and makes you feel something.  I would recommend you paint from a photo, a still life (a simple grouping of fruit, blocks, balls, etc.), or another painting

So, with that said:

Here are some more things you will need:

You will need: A palette to mix your paints on.  Craft stores have many kinds.  I recommend the largest one they have that has a cover.  You can also use a paper plate or anything flat and glass, etc.

  You will also need: A plastic or glass container of water nearby to clean your brushes with that you don't mind getting dirty (I cut the top half off a gallon milk jug).

Place a drop cloth under you and your easel and cover any furniture nearby (paint splatters), it's also nice to have a small table next to you to put your paints on. 

To Start: 

Step one:  Place your canvas on the easel in a well-lit area facing a window preferably.  You can sit or stand.

Step two:  Place your subject where you can see it easily.

Step three:  We are going to put a tinted gesso on the canvas.  For a landscape on a sunny day, I use a warm tint.  Raw Umber or red and yellow mixed with gesso will do (for a cloudy day, blue and gesso mixed will do.

So, for a sunny day, squeeze a tablespoon or more of gesso and a teaspoon or more of raw umber or other warm mixture onto palette.  Using your palette knife or largest brush, mix together loosely.  Paint onto your canvas using side to side strokes and then up and down.  It doesn't have to be mixed perfectly.  A few streaks are fine.  Let dry (probably half to an hour).  If you would like, also paint sides for a wrapped canvas.

We will stop there for today.  I feel this is a lot to take in.  Make sure you rinse your brush right away and take it to the sink and wash bristles with soap and water.  Lay brush flat to dry.

Great job!  Until next time....Happy Painting!

Beginner Acrylic painting

When I first started painting, it was so hard finding information, unless I doled out quite a bit of money for lessons.  So I decided I would help other beginning painters.  Do you want to be a painter?   I have only been painting for two years, but I would like to share with you some of the basics.  I paint landscapes in acrylic and oils.  I also paint plein air (or outside).  So far, I only use acrylics outside.  I find they dry quickly and you can do quick paintings.  You can paint oil over acrylics and I sometimes paint the acrylics outside and then go over it in oils indoors.

Today we will start with the basic materials for an acrylic painting.  You will need:

A material to paint on.  I use canvas from the craft store.  It is easiest to start on a small size.  8x10 or smaller.
You can also use watercolor paper, wood, canvas on board, etc.

Acrylic gesso

Acrylic paints in the following colors:

Cadmium red
Cadmium yellow
Ultramarine Blue
Titanium White

You can make almost any color with hese basic colors, but I like to also use these for landscapes:
Raw Sienna
Ivory Black
Alizarin Red
Light Cadmium or Lemon Yellow
Pthalo blue (blue or green tint)
Ochre
Again, these are not absolutely necessary as they can all be mixed by using the primary colors above!

If you are painting abstracts, you may want to add some of the brighter colors you like.

Brushes

Rounds, at least two sizes, large and medium
One or two flat brushes
A small liner brush
Filbert
A 2" large flat brush

If you want to save, just get a small round and a small flat brush to start.

Round pallette knife

Easel
There are lots of kinds.  A table-top one is the cheapest, or a fold-up metal one.  Make sure it is sturdy and will not fall apart easily.

Some of these materials are not absolutely necessary if you just want to do one painting.  It will depend on your level of commitment.

Realize it doesn't happen overnight.  Painting is a long process and results do not happen until a lot of work and commitment has taken place.  It took me a year of failing before I was able to produce something I felt halfway good about.  Give yourself room to fail and keep trying.  It is worth it in the end and you will love it so much it will become a part of you.

My next blog will be starting to paint!