Month: June 2013
-
Is Acrylic Paint the Right Choice for You?
Advantages of Acrylic Paint: Dries very fast. Mixed with water or mediums/gels. Brushes cleaned with water. Once dried, can be overpainted without disturbing underlying layers. Can be used thickly (impasto), like oils, or in thin washes, like watercolor. Water-resistant, so good for murals. Works as a glue, so good for collages. Disdvantages of Acrylic Paint: Dries […]
-
How to Decide What Paint to Use
Having decided you’d like to learn to paint, you obviously need to select what kind of paint you’re going to use. The most commonly used paints are acrylics, oils, watercolors, and pastels. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Which you select will depend on your personality and, to some extent, where you’re going to paint. […]
-
How to Clean Your Paint Brushes
Your brushes are an investment. By cleaning them thoroughly and properly at the end of a painting session, they will last longer. Here’s How: Wipe off any excess paint using a cloth or soft tissue. Gently squeezing the bristles from the ferrule edge outwards with your fingers, or with a cloth, will help remove paint […]
-
Before You Buy a Painting Easel
There’s nothing to beat an easel for keeping a painting in place while you’re working on it. Working vertically also means you’re working in the same plane as the painting will finally be hung, reduces the risk of spilling anything on it, or dust collecting on it. You can work sitting on a stool or […]
-
Learn to Paint: Your First Ever Painting
When you decide you’d like to paint, you will likely encounter the art myth that it takes talent. Don’t believe it. The desire to learn to paint and enthusiasm are what you need more than anything else. Having decided you’d like to learn to paint, you need to decide what paint you’re going to use. The four […]
-
Oil Painting Tips for Beginners
Oil paints are extremely versatile. They can be used thickly inimpasto or extremely thinly in glazes; they can be opaque or transparent. Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your oils. Tip 1: Always lay your oil paints out on your palette in the same order so that, with time, you’ll be […]
-
Ways to Ruin a Painting
Not every painting is destined to be a masterpiece, but some paintings are doomed to failure right from the start because of one relatively simple mistake. Here’s a list of five easy ways to ruin a painting… 1. Fried Egg Composition It can be done successfully, but only rarely. When it’s done badly, it’s from […]
-
10 Acrylic Painting Tips for Beginners
Acrylics are extremely versatile, fast-drying paints, and can be used straight from the tube like oils or thinned with water or a medium and used like watercolors. And a lot in-between. Here are a few tips to help you get started painting with acrylics. Tip 1: Keeping Acrylic Paints Workable Because acrylics dry so fast, squeeze only a little […]
-
How to Varnish an Acrylic or Oil Painting
Varnish is more than simply a layer to protect your painting from pollution in the atmosphere and abrasion. It will also bring out the colors to the brilliance they had when you applied them. Difficulty: Average Time Required: Depends on size of painting Here’s How: Ensure your painting is completely dry. Allow several months for an oil […]
-
7 Ways to Improve Your Painting While at Work
You know the scenario: you’re stuck in a meeting at the office with someone rambling on and on until you just want to interrupt by screaming: “I could be painting!” But as that wouldn’t be a wise career move, what can you do to benefit your painting while at work? Each of these tips works […]
