belladonnis

I know there are some of you that actually put paint to canvas and I want to start painting. Painting was never really my thing. So I have a few questions.

Do most of you draw your scene on your canvas to start or do you just start painting?

I want to use oils I think if that would be the easiest ones to start with.
So what materials do you suggest on getting started?

Heidi2323

Bella, while oils are rich and beautiful, they are more tricky to work with. Acrylics are much easier to work with and far more forgiving than oils. They dry faster, thus can be worked over more quickly. Do not be afraid to work the paint sort of thick. I usually sketch lightly in charchol or with a light wash of paint (paint thinned a lot with water) before painting. Remember it is a sketch and can be moved, shaped, altered, added to or subtracted from as you apply the paint. Make sure you purchase primed canvas. If you are stretching your own, be sure to use a Gesso to prime the canvas.

You will need a few good brushes. Do not scrimp on them. Make sure they are cleaned thoroughly immediately after use. Make sure you have some large ones for covering big areas.

Qsilv

I love Heidi's suggestions and agree with them very thoroughly.

A couple things I could add (or even just emphasize) for you to consider--

Those brushes? They're your friends and/or your enemies! You need to get as comfortable with them as you are with a pencil. They make weird shapes when you dab or drag them... the paint runs out just when you think you're in the middle of a delicately curved stroke... or it leaves an attention-getting built-up ridge along one edge... or it lets the canvase texture show through all pebbly...

So until your hand is in control with each shape of brush, I wouldn't try drawing an underlying picture at all! I'd just let the brushes play all over the ground (ie. board.. canvas.. paper.. fabric.. glass.. whatever) with various thicknesses of paint from hefty blobs to watery drips!

It'll be less expensive to use those other grounds instead of canvas. And you don't really have to gesso canvas either... it just makes a smooth surface that doesn't absorb the paint.

Qsilv

In the world of "art" there's considered to be a significant difference between drawing and painting...

...it's not uncommon to hear people praise a work as being "painterly" or hear a faint sneer as they say "well but he's drawing with his brush..." but it's also a world that devalues "mixed media".

In truth you can get away with any technique you want IF you can do 3 things--

1- show that it's under your control by being able to turn out consistent pieces

2- look 'em calmly in the eye and explain an underlying purpose (see Tom Wolf's delightfully scathing little book, The Painted Word)

3- come up with images (representational OR abstract) that engage them at some emotional level (mind you, they may fear or revile it, that's legit... but it's arguably most fun when they AND YOU really love it)

;>

lilalee

I agree Q, about the brushes. They are your friend or your enemy!! We all have a favorite for different things we paint. Learning how to load a brush, and how to use it are important. Then cleaning them well is the key for extending their life.

five

I'll sometimes block out a loose outline (shapes, no detail) with paint or with charcoal if it's a complicated pic or if representation of something real is the goal of the painting. The drawing is a only a starting place. Also, it helps to work out the basic composition on paper ahead of time.

You can gesso heavy paper and still use oils. You have to build up several layers of white gesso one layer at a time and let it dry between coats; for each layer of gesso on the front of the paper you should put a gesso X on back to reduce the warping of the paper. Gesso dries quickly. You might find this somewhat cheaper when you are starting out. It's not archival by any means. You can do the same with Masonite boards -- sand them first so there's a little roughness to start, spray them with PVC, then apply the gesso in layers (again, paint a gesso X on the back of the board each layer to prevent warping).

It can be cheaper still to use the same store bought canvas and keep painting over it. Any parts you want to flatten out, you can sand down. If you want to turn the used canvas into a clean slate, sand the whole surface and apply fresh white paint to the surface; you could re-gesso the sanded down canvas, but of you are using oils you don't want to put acrylic based gesso on top of oil paint. I would gesso store bought canvases, too, as the coat they come with is often very thin and uneven, even missing in spots. Nothing more frustrating when you are beginning than having the paint not stick. You can paint on raw canvas without gessoing the surface but the canvas soaks up a lots and lots of paint and paint is expensive; it's a good idea to spray clear pvc on the raw canvas, so it has some primer. (Spray outside or in a well ventillated area)

Acrylics are easier in some ways, but they dry very quickly unless you have a good handle on the retarder that slows down drying and the various mediums that effect the flow of the medium. I'd start with oils (or watercolors).

Hope that helps. Have fun.

five

One more thing -- if you can afford it, I'd use high quality paints, not "student grade". There's so much filler in student grade paints that the color can be really disappointing and you end up using more of the paint anyhow than you would use with the high quality paints, so you probably are not saving that much anyhow by using the student grade paints. Definitely for any glazing (thin layers of paint) -- you want the paints to be purer. Limiting your palette of colors is the best way to keep the costs of paint down. and it makes you learn to mix paints.

belladonnis

I knew I would get answers!!!! Thanks so much!
I never really got the hang of painting in college I was much better at charcoal drawings. But the ones I did in color never satisfied me because I wanted the texture and brightness of paint! Thanks again! I will have to post in here on my progress!

stevedover1965

Ever thought about watercolours as a medium to begin with, then you can try other mediums like acrylics, pastels or oils. A good watercolour set can be relatively inexpensive and easily transportable, a watercolour sketchbook the same, offering portability and good quality paper.

Arw65

even though i was not the one that asked the questions i'm sure you glad you guys answered them- i have just started painting-courtesy of an early birthday present from my mom:) the answers have been most helpful!

Arw65

well.... just thought i'd share a bit... It's been just a bit over a month since i've started painting- in the evenings after my girls are asleep or in early morning before they wake. I've painted 1 oil, 2 water colors and 3 or 4 Acrylics. - thus far i like acrylic the best, Oil is great but it takes forever, water color is fun but i have issues with my colors running together... but acrylics, they dry fast and are easy for me to manipulate, win-win, at least for a mom who only has a few minutes here and there before precious hands try to help.- I've started giving my 3 year old a round of water colors and paper- with wax paper beneath to keep the paint on the paper and off my table.
any who.... here's one of the acrylics, i was hoping for some pointers.. i'm not finished with it just yet. I want to keep the colors-burgundy, cream, pale yellow. because my mother wants it to mach her existing decor.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs123.ash2/39481_1550507484177_1279825981_1541665_ 4918906_n.jpg

Arw65

well that link doesn't work, lets try another

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1541665&id=1279825981&ref=fbx_album

Arw65

one more try

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1541665&l=d0d81ba68d&id=1279825981

polenta

yes, it's a vase with roses. Glad you are doing what you like but don't forget us. You haven't been drawing so much lately. We miss you and your talent. I'm happy you shared this unfinished pic with us. Good luck.

marg

Tell you what, Arw, if I'd done that picture I'd be really, really stoked !

I used to love acrylics when I was at school (got banned from using oils because I kept 'drawing' with them), but also loved conte.. and now have some pastel oil crayons that I haven't used yet.. maybe one day soon.

In the meantime, I'm no artist, but it's SOOO good to see someone of your talent a) playing with different media and b) having access to such excellent artists as have freely given their tip[s above

lilalee

arw, well I know I have asked you if you have painted, and wow!! Look at you go girl!! I always paint in acrylics, but, love the oils, as you can work with it awhile.Just keep painting and trying new things!! Painting to me is 'love'!! Can see for you, it is too!!

Babyangel2000

OMGOODNESS!!! ARW65! UR PAINTING IS BEAUTIFUL! soooooo amazing! u cud sell tht 4 alot of money u know! excellent!!!

Angela

Oils are very difficult with image sketched to canvas - seems to pick up everything. And messy with loooong drying time.

I use mostly acrylic and there are blending gels to get if effect of oil. Dries fast & easy clean up. Also least expensive.

Don't forget water colours though; they can be fun and pre-sketch is not a problem.