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Painting Problem Solver / Painting FAQ

Find the answers to commonly asked questions about all aspects of painting here.

How Do I Add Sign Lettering in a Painting?

Some tips on how to add sign lettering to a painting, such as the names of shops in a cityscape.

How Do I Transfer a Drawing from Paper to Canvas?

There are various methods you can use to transfer a drawing from a piece of paper to a canvas. Find out what they are here.

How Would I Use Colour Shapers, and Can I Make My Own?

An explanation of how you use a colour shaper and how it's different to a knife painting. Plus how you can make your own version.

Is It Acceptable for Brushstrokes to be Visible in a Painting?

Is it acceptable for brushstrokes to be visible in a painting, or should they be eliminated?

What Do I Do if I Don't Have Room to Paint?

Find out what you can do if you're living in a cramped space without much room to paint.

Painter or Artist?

Do you call yourself a painter or an artist? It's a problem faced by many people who don't make a fulltime living from their art.

Painting Problem Solver: Visual Index

A visual guide to common problems encountered when painting, and solutions where possible.

Q: Where can I Find Free Reference Photos to Use in Paintings?

Find out where you can obtain free reference photos that you can use in your paintings.

Q: How Long Should It Take Me to Finish a Painting?

How long should you expect it to take you to finish a painting? It is in fact possible to set a time limit?

Q: Can I Mix Various Brands of Paint?

Is it okay or not to mix various brands of paint, or do you have to stick with one brand only, be it watercolor, acrylics, or oils? Find out here.

Q: How Do I Overcome my Fear of a Blank Canvas?

Does being faced with a new white canvas paralyze you into inaction? Here are some tips on what to do.

Q: Should I Use Student or Artist's Quality Paints?

When you start painting, should you use student paints or artist's quality paints?

Q: How Do I Create a Unique Painting Style?

How do you create a unique painting style, that identifies you as an artist?

Q: When Do You Paint the Shadows in a Painting?

When do you paint the shadows in a painting, and should you leave those areas white until you are ready to do the shadows?

Q: Are Metal or Plastic Paint Tubes Better?

Is there any difference between buying paint in metal paint tubes or plastic paint tubes?

Q: How Do I Paint Glass so it Looks Transparent?

Is there some 'painting trick' to getting glass to look transparent? Find out in this Painting FAQ.

Q: Where Can I Find Information on Art Competitions?

Looking for information on art or painting competitions? Here's where to go...

Q: Is Rolling Up a Canvas Okay?

If you want to roll up a canvas for storage or to post it, find out what do you need to do to ensure it's not damaged.

Q: What Do You Do With the Edges of the Canvas?

Find out what you should do with the white edges of a canvas if you're not planning to frame a painting.

Q: What's a Gallery-Wrap Canvas?

What makes a canvas a gallery-wrap canvas, and why would you use one?

Q: How Do I Remove Mold from a Painting?

What's the best way to deal with mold on a painting or artwork? Find out here.

Q: How Many Paintings Do I Need to Approach a Gallery?

How many paintings to you need to have completed before you can approach a gallery to sell them? Find out here.

Q: Does a Painting’s Size Include the Frame?

How are the measurements for a painting calculated? Should the frame be included or not? Find out in this Painting FAQ.

Q: How do I Frame a Painting Done on Canvas?

How do you frame a painting done on canvas? Do you need to remove the canvas stretchers, or not? Find out in this Painting FAQ.

Q: How do I Frame a Stapled Canvas?

Do you need to do anything special when framing a stapled canvas?

Q: What is Transfer Paper and What Would I Use it For?

What is transfer paper and what would you use it for? Find out here.

Q: How Do I Know if a Tube Has Acrylic or Watercolor Paint

There's a simple test that will tell you if a paint is acrylic or watercolor.

Q: What is an Artist Trading Card or ATC?

An explanation of what an artist trading card or ATC is, and how it's different to an ACEO.

Q: I've Got Reference Material and Sketches, Now What Do I Do?

You've found your reference photos, done your thumbnail sketches, and bought a canvas. So what do you do next? Find out in this Painting FAQ.

Q: Do the Celebrity Artist Techniques Work?

Is it worth spending money on the books and DVDs by 'celebrity artists' such as Bob Ross? Or is it just a trick?

Can I Paint Over a Glaze?

Is it okay to paint over a glaze?

Copyright for Artists FAQ

Answers to questions frequently asked by painters about copyright.

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