Welcome to Painting

Step by Step to Art Painting

Art painting is something that goes back nearly to the beginning of time, when early painters used items like berries to bring color to surfaces. Today there are many choices of mediums and canvases that you can select from if you decide to try your own creative flair at art painting. Artists use paint such as acrylic paint, oil paint, and watercolor to create their works of art. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of media. However, before you take a brush to your canvas, there are a few basics that you might want to know. So here is our step-by-step guide to being an artists (or dare we say, "Here's how to paint by the numbers!")

Step One: What Subject to Paint?

As basic as this might sound, the first step in art painting is to decide what you want to paint. Will your subject be a colorful sunset, or a majestic mountain scene? Do you prefer a babbling brook or the fluffy clouds in a blue sky?

Whatever subject you select for your art painting, it is a good idea to make a sketch of your picture prior to actually painting it. This will give you an idea of scale and composition prior to working on a full-scale piece of canvas. You can also photograph the scene that you would like to create so that you have a consistent model to work with.

Step Two: Which Medium to Use?

Once you have selected a subject, you can proceed to the type of medium that you would like to use for your art painting. This is not just about choosing a type of paint - you will also decide how to use the paint in your art painting. For example, acrylic paints can be used in their primary thick state, or they can be thinned with water all the way to the consistency of a watercolor.

A good idea as well is to think about the type of effect you want to achieve in your picture, and select your paint accordingly. For example, acrylic paints can be bold but a watercolor painting tends to be soft and muted. Once you have chosen paint for your art painting, you will also want to find the appropriate canvas to put your paint to. Make sure that the canvas of choice is compatible with the paint that you are using. When in doubt, ask someone at your art supply store for advice and help in collecting the proper supplies.

Step Three: Awaken the Artist Within

You have your paint. Your canvas is waiting. Now it is time to don your artist's cap and paint your art painting to your heart's content. There are many classes and instructional manuals that can get you on your way to creating your very own masterpieces. But the most important step in awakening your inner artist is to simply paint. Practice will bring you to a level where you can really enjoy your art through your painting. So grab your brushes and canvas and see what creativity lurks inside of you!

Anyone can be an artists as each person's vision is different. An artist paints from the heart and paints for themselves. They use art painting to describe something the same way and author uses words. So, start saying what you want to say with paint.

Artists Explore the Human Form in Art of the Nude Exhibit at Newport Museum and Art Gallery (Art Daily)

'D.D.5a' 1924, by Sir Gerald Kelly (1879-1972). NEWPORT.- An exhibition of drawings, prints, painting and sculpture guest curated by John Wilson and Roger Cucksey and running until September 20 opened at the Newport Museum and Art Gallery in South Wales.

John Moores painting prize shortlist announced (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

The shortlist for the John Moores contemporary painting prize, which helped launched the career of top artists like Peter Doig, was announced on Thursday.

Yale: Former art student's allegations of improper expulsion have 'no merit' (Yale Daily News)

University officials said there is “no merit” to the allegations made in a lawsuit filed two weeks ago by former School of Art student Annabel Osberg ART ’09, who claims she was unfairly expelled from the Master of Fine Arts program in painting and printmaking.

Tests dismiss fear over Picasso art (Channel 4)

Picasso's masterpiece Guernica has been given the all-clear after fears it might be deteriorating. The first X-ray of the 20th century anti-war painting carried out by the Reina Sofia art museum was part of a series of tests begun over a year ago on one of the world's most prized art works.

Painting to be raffled at fundraiser (The Index-Journal)

Jeffery Callaham, featured artist for the 2008 Art a la Carte fundraiser benefiting Arts Council of Greenwood County, unveils his painting “Lucky Me” to be raffled during the gala.