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!