Starting a new hobby can be a daunting task, and painting is especially difficult as a beginner – but everyone has to start somewhere, right?
Even the most renowned artists out there will have painted their first amateur piece at some point (which they probably disliked), so never feel like it’s too late to learn and improve on your skills.
Best of all, painting can be a wonderfully rewarding experience if you simply enjoy the learning process and take the pressure off yourself.
There’s plenty of tips and tricks to make sure you start your painting journey off on the right foot, so listen up. Brushes at the ready!
1. Don’t Put Pressure on Yourself
Firstly, it’s important you begin your learning process with an open mind.
You should start by learning the basics and then hone in on other areas of expertise if you want to succeed in the most efficient way.
Start with a small project that you feel capable of completing to a good standard.
You can even start with a simple paint-by-numbers kit, taking it one step (or number at a time).
You’ll have a beautiful painting before you know it and can even get started on the next custom paint-by-numbers kit, made from your very own photograph.
2. Educate Yourself
If you’re serious about creating some wonderfully inspired paintings, it’s always good to explore art as an industry.
The history of art holds a whole world of knowledge and ideas that could help you understand what techniques you personally love the most.
So visit your local art gallery and purchase some books that teach you about the various movements that have taken place throughout the centuries.
3. Buy the Best Equipment
Any decent painter will tell you that the right painting equipment will help you create your best work.
Whether it’s a new set of beautiful watercolors or an easel for when you’re ready to invest your time and effort professionally, buying the best painting supplies can revolutionize the way in which you paint. So whatever you do today, visit an art supply store and invest your money wisely.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice!
They say that practice makes perfect, but with painting, there’s no such thing as perfect.
Art is a subjective matter that we all experience differently, so never purposefully attempt to create a masterpiece – it simply won’t happen when you’re trying hard.
The best creativity will spark when you least expect it, so the right thing to do is just to keep practicing.
5. Find the Right Medium for You
Painting has many mediums, so after learning the basics, begin to experiment with the different options available to you.
The three main mediums that most painters use are acrylic, oil, and watercolor which each have their own advantages and downfalls. Acrylic paint is the best for beginners because it’s versatile.
6. Enjoy the Process
Lastly, painting beginners should be enjoying the art form as a spiritual and emotional experience, not stressing about whether they’re good enough to keep going.
Be courageous when experimenting with your skills and never let your flaws knock your confidence.
The best thing about painting is that you can simply let your mistakes dry for you to paint over them! Magic, right?
