What is Painting?
Painting is not only about colors, it is a silent language. Painting is a form of self – expression. People express their feelings, emotions and thought through painting. It’s an art where no rules and regulation is needed.
Brief History of Painting
Painting is one of the greatest and primitive art forms in human history. Thousands of years ago, people used to draw pictures even when language and writing were not discovered. Prehistoric people used to draw on the stone or wall of cave using charcoal or soil, and it was their way of communication. Slowly it evolved to cloth,paper and lastly canvas.
Can Anyone Learn This?
Painting is a skill. To learn painting, one does not need to be talented naturally. As it
is a skill anyone can learn this. It is all about practicing. The more you practice, the more you can master it. All you need to do is observe things and give them a shape.
Importance of Painting
Painting plays a significant role in human life. It is not only a hobby, but also a
stress reliever. It improves mental health, patience, thinking ability and creativity.
It helps to reduce the stress of study and work load. It also increases children’s intellectual development. Moreover, painting also works as a Digital- Detox, it keeps people away from device addiction.
Color Theory for Painting
For an artist, knowing about color is important before painting. Color theory is a simple guide about how colors work. Color theory is divided into three types : Primary colors, Secondary colors and Tertiary colors.
- Primary colors : Primary colors are the main source of colors. Red, Blue and Yellow are recognised as the primary colors. These are natural colors. These three colors cannot be made by mixing other colors.
- Secondary colors : Secondary colors are made by mixing two primary color. For example, Orange color is made by mixing Red and Yellow, Purple is the mixture of Red and Blue, Yellow and Blue together make Green color.
- Tertiary colors : Tertiary color is made when Primary and Secondary colors are mixed together. Such as, Red (Primary color) and Orange (Secondary color) together make Vermilion color.
Things An Artist Need to Paint
An artist needs some basic tools to paint. Here are some tools that are needed for an artist.
- Medium (Colors)
- Brushes
- Canvas/paper/pad
- Color pallete (optional)
Mediums: Painting Guide For Colors
There are different mediums of painting are
available, such as, watercolor, acrylic, oil painting,
gouache color, poster color, pastel painting, texture
painting. Some people think they need to learn
painting in order, like first watercolor then moving
to acrylic then oil painting as it is a bit harder. But fortunately, there is no chain to maintain. One can start from any medium. Providing some mediums’ details below:
- Watercolor : Watercolor painting is the trickiest one. By its name you can understand it is all about mixing water and color. It is light and transparent It is mostly used for natural and fora painting. Sad part is you cannot fix mistake if once it made. Because it goes light shade to dark. This part can be frustratina for beginners. So it should be avoided at the starting.
- Acrylic : Acrvlic painting is beginner friendly. It is also water-based color, but it dries so quick. It can be used on canvas, paper,wood, plastic, glass evervwhere. That is why people love to start painting with this medium.
- Oil painting : Here you have to mix color with oil. It takes time to dry. Artist like to do detailing works with oil color. An oil painting remains good for long time.Poster color: Poster color is thick and bright. It is easy to use. Basic painting starts with it. It is often used in school assignment. But this color is not long-lasting.
- Pastel painting : Pastel looks like chalk. It blends so easily and makes painting smooth. In pastel painting, you don’t need to use any brush. It is famous for landscape painting. But it needs special care. Cause it can fade easily, as it is delicate.
- Gouache color: Gouache color is called ‘Opaque watercolor’. It works as watercolor, It’s thick but not transparent like watercolor. Gouache color dries quickly like acrylics. The best part abou it is you can fix mistakes easily. As you can apply light colors over the dark ones and it can hide the dark stain.
- Texture color: Texture painting is something that feels a bit raised and rough. It adds three-dimensional feels to artwork. ‘Modeling paste’ or ‘Gesso’ is mixed with acrylic color for texture painting. Artists use different types of tools for texture painting like palette knife, piping bag,sponge, comb or fingers. It is a perfect way for making a painting unique and modern.
Brush Details
Different type of brushes are used for
painting. Brushes are mainly of two
types, one is soft hair brushes, used for
watercolor and acrylic paintings, and the
other is hard hair brushes, used for oil
painting. These brushes are also divided
into different forms, such as, round
brush, fan brush, flat brush, angle brush,
detail brush etcetera.
Canvas/paper/pad
Canvas and pad have different sizes. Choosing the exact size
depends on the topic of the painting. As a beginner artist,
you should start with paper or pad, as it will help to avoid
waste. However, thin paper is not suitable for acrylic color.
One can use acrylic pad instead of paper cause it’s very
useful for practicing.
Color Palette Details
Color palettes are found in several types and shapes.
Beginners can use a flattened plastic palette.
Professionals usually use wooden or ceramic palettes
because of their durability and longevity.
Practical Painting Guide : Steps to Start Painting
- Choosing Subject : At first, an artist needs to choose the subject. You have to decide first what to paint. It will make the journey smooth and easier.
- Sketching : The next step is Sketching. Using pencil, sketch the subject on canvas, pad or paper whatever you are using.
- Applying color : After sketching, apply colors properly. Use specific medium for a painting. Do not mix different mediums.
- Detailing : Finish all the detailing works by using the detail brushes.
- Varnishing (Optional) : Varnish is a liquid which saves the painting from dust and makes it long-lasting. Varnish can be used only on acrylic paintings.
Things to remember
- Painting is all about practicing. There is a saying ‘practice makes perfect ‘. So, if
you keep practicing, you can master it. - You can make mistakes at the starting phase. From mistakes, one can learn the
ways of fixing it. It helps to grow thinking ability. - Can’t be hopeless easily. As it will take time to be pro at, it can be a frustrating
journey. Just keep trying and doing. Take suggestions and learn, and keep your
mind positive. - Use proper and fine equipment and avoid wastes. One doesn’t need to buy
expensive brushes at the beginning, instead try to buy proper one. Also, buying
canvas is not necessary at starting. Can use pads for practicing - Try to feel and enjoy while painting. If you don’t feel and enjoy the painting, the
result might not satisfy you. And expect less result, it will help you to not to be frustrated.
Lastly, painting is a journey of creativity and practice. It is not about being perfect, but enjoying. You cannot force yourself to paint, the desire should come automatically. The more you will paint, the more you will master it. You can find your unique way for painting after practicing more and more. Do not be afraid of playing with colors. Do experiments, play with colors, take the brushes and express your thoughts. HAPPY PBEGINNERS