Art Beginners
By Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com Guide
Why Paint?
When you start painting, sooner rather than later someone's going to ask why you want to paint, as if it were something peculiar that weird people do. I suggest answering simply: "Why not?" but if you want to give a more substantial answer, these articles will help you put your reasons into words.
- What is Art and the Purpose of Making Art?
- Readers Respond: Why Do You Paint?
- The Real Reason We Paint
- The Healing Power of Art
- Why Women Should Paint
What Type of Paint is Right for You?
Having decided you want to paint, you need to decide what type of paint you're going to use. Don't stress that you might make the wrong choice, as you'll ultimately want to try several as each has its own appeal. These articles will help you select something that's best for your circumstances and personality to get you started.
- The Pros & Cons of Oils, Acrylics, Watercolor or Pastel
- Quiz: The Best Paint for You?
- Quiz: Should You Use Oils or Acrylics?
- How to Assess a New Brand of Acrylic or Oil Paint
Buying Art Supplies
Walk into any art supplies store and you'll be overwhelmed with choices. These articles will help you select from the numerous brands on the market, and to know what you need when you start painting.
- The Difference Between Student Paint and Artist's Quality
- Acrylic Painting Supplies
- Oil Painting Supplies
- Watercolor Painting Supplies
- Pastel Painting Supplies
- Best Water Mixable Oil Paints
- What You Need to Know Canvas
- Best Painting Easels
- Best Painting Sketchbooks
- Art Materials on a Budget
- Safety Tips for Using Art Materials
How to Use a Paint Brush
A brush is your most fundamental tool for creating a painting. There are oodles to choose from, in different shapes and with various types of hair. These articles will help you understand your options, and how to get the most from your brushes.
- Photos: Different Brush Shapes
- Quiz: Brush Shapes
- Names for the Parts of a Brush
- How to Hold an Art Paint Brush
- Loading a Brush with Paint
- Cleaning Your Paint Brushes
- 5 Ways to Ruin an Art Paint Brush
- How Many Brushes Should You Use?
- Types of Hair in Brushes
- What's the Big Deal About Kolinsky Sable Brushes?
- How to Paint with a Fan Brush
How to Use a Painting Knife
Using a painting knife rather than a brush gives quite a different effect. You will tend to use more paint, but it has the advantage that cleaning a knife is faster and easier than cleaning a brush.
- What is a Painting Knife?
- How to Hold a Painting Knife
- How to Clean a Painting Knife
- Mark Making with a Painting Knife
- Knife Painting Demo: Rocky Seascape
- Knife Painting Demo: Portrait
- Photo Gallery: Knife Paintings
- Photo Gallery: "Seasons" Knife Paintings
- All my Articles on Knife Painting
What You Need to Know to Paint
Certain things apply to whatever type of paint you're using. Don't try to memorize everything before you put brush to paint; you learn painting by combining the practical with the theoretical.
- Color Mixing 101
- Why Tone is More Crucial than Color
- 7 Ways to Mix Colors
- All My Articles on Color Mixing
- How Long Should It Take to Finish a Painting?
- How Detailed Should Your Initial Pencil Sketch Be?
- Things To Decide Before Starting to Paint
- Ways to Create a Painting
- How to Use Glazes in Paintings
- How to Blend Paint Colors
- How to Paint a Background
- Photos: Art Painting Techniques
Painting Techniques
Technique is the artistic equivalent of your ABCs. First you learn the basics of what to do, then you learn to express your creativity. These links will take you to all my articles organized by type of paint.