Starting a new color painting can seem daunting, but with some planning and preparation, any beginning painter can get off to a good start. Here are some tips to help you begin your color painting journey:
Select Your Surface
One of the first decisions to make is what type of surface you want to paint on. Here are some common options:
Canvas
Canvas offers a flexible painting surface and comes primed or unprimed. Stretched canvas provides a taut surface, while canvas boards are a more affordable alternative. Canvas is suitable for oil, acrylic, and mixed media.
Paper
Paper is readily available and economical. Watercolor paper is designed specifically for wet media with textures like cold press or hot press. Other papers like multimedia artboards work for mixed media.
Wood
Painting on wood requires proper preparation but offers a unique textured surface. Popular woods are birch, poplar, and basswood. Woods should be sanded and primed first.
Canvas vs. Paper vs. Wood Comparison
| Surface | Texture | Prep Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas | Medium tooth | May need priming |
| Paper | Smooth to rough | Ready for paint |
| Wood | Smooth sanded | Sand and prime |
Consider the type of paint you want to use, the portability needed, and your budget when selecting a painting surface.
Choose Your Paints and Brushes
The possibilities are endless when it comes to paint mediums and tools. Here are some of the most popular:
Paint Types
- Oils – slow drying time, blendable colors
- Acrylics – quick drying, versatile
- Watercolors – flowy, translucent washes
- Gouache – opaque water-based paint
Brush Types
- Bristle – best with oil paints
- Synthetic – versatile for acrylics and watercolors
- Sable – for fine detailed strokes
- Bright – thick flat brush for broad strokes
Aim for a selection of brushes in different shapes and sizes. A few essentials are:
- Round brush for details
- Flat brush for broad strokes
- Fan or filbert for blending
- Angled for sharp edges
Also assemble basic supplies like palettes, paint thinner if using oils, cups for water, paper towels, and an easel if desired.
Select Your Subject Matter
Deciding what to paint first will help direct the supplies you need. Here are some common beginning subjects:
Still Life
Arranging objects like fruit, flowers, glassware, or household items allows you to practice form, lighting, and composition. Still lifes are great for learning color theory too.
Landscapes
Capture the beauty of nature with landscapes. Try painting studies of trees, skies, mountains, or bodies of water from photos. Landscapes utilize a variety of techniques.
Abstracts
With abstract painting, you focus on shapes, colors, textures, and emotions rather than realistic portrayal. Abstracts offer creative freedom and loose brushwork.
Other fun first painting subjects are animals, simple structures, portraits and more. Paint what inspires you.
Make a Painting Plan
Now it’s time to bring your ideas together into a simple plan:
- Make sketches of what you want to paint
- Take reference photos if painting realistically
- Purchase your chosen canvas or surface
- Buy paints and brushes suited for your medium
- Set up your work area with good lighting
- Gather any additional supplies needed
Don’t worry about perfection. Remain flexible and make changes as you go.
Use an Underpainting
An underpainting establishes the foundation and helps unite the painting. Here are 2 underpainting techniques:
Monochromatic Underpainting
Using thinned paint in one hue, loosely sketch the composition. This creates a tonal roadmap for your colors.
Complementary Underpainting
Paint the canvas a color complementary to your main hue to create a luminous glow. Try blues for orange subjects or reds for green subjects.
Let your underpainting layer dry before building up paint. A good base enhances the colors on top.
Focus on Composition
Composition is key to guiding the viewer’s eye through your artwork. Some composition tips:
- Use the rule of thirds to place focal points
- Create movement and rhythm in the direction of brushstrokes
- Paint a focal point with high contrast colors or details
- Use balancing elements for visual weight
Step back frequently to evaluate your composition and make adjustments. Pay attention to the edges and distribution of shapes.
Apply Color Theory
Understanding color theory principles will strengthen your painting’s color unity and variety:
Primary Colors
Red, yellow and blue form the basis for mixing all other hues. Having these paints gives you a wide range of possibilities.
Color Wheel
The color wheel shows relationships between primary, secondary and tertiary colors. Use it to pick harmonious color schemes.
Color Mixing
Mixing adjacent colors like red and yellow creates vibrant secondary hues. Adding white makes tints and black makes shades.
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors opposite each other on the wheel (like red and green) create striking contrast.
Develop Your Painting Techniques
Utilize these common techniques to bring your painting to life:
Wet-on-Wet
Paint wet into wet for soft blends and gradients. Let adjacent colors bleed together.
Wet-on-Dry
Build up layers by letting each coat dry before adding the next one. Creates crisp edges.
Impasto
Use thickly applied paint to add texture. Try a palette knife or brush handles.
Stippling
Apply small dabs of paint with the brush tip to build up values. Creates a mottled texture.
Scumbling
Lightly brush semi-opaque paint over another layer to gently blend or create texture.
Refine the Details
squint to see the big shapes and values. Then utilize these techniques to refine and enhance:
- Crisp edges with fine brushes for details like petals or leaves
- Glazes of thinned transparent paint for luminous effects
- Dark outlines to make elements pop
- Sgraffito with a palette knife in dried paint for white lines
- Splattering by flicking brush bristles for texture
Add final highlights, shadows and accents to bring your focal point to life. Step back frequently for perspective.
Conclusion
Starting a new painting may seem challenging, but following this structured approach will set you up for success:
- Prepare your surface, paints and brushes
- Choose a subject and make sketches
- Create an underpainting
- Focus on good composition
- Apply color theory principles
- Use basic painting techniques
- Refine details and finish artwork
Remember to enjoy the creative process! Having a solid foundation will build your skills and confidence with every brushstroke. Be adventurous with your color choices, and your unique artistic voice will emerge. Happy painting!
