5 Things All Beginning Painters Should Do

/

5 Things All Beginning Painters Should Do

There is one thing every painter has in common: we all were at one time beginners. It’s tough being a beginning painter. Most that I talk to have no idea what to do or where to start, and most choose the wrong way to begin their painting journey.

With that in mind I am presenting my top 5 list for things all beginning painters should do:

  1. Learn the Design Fundamentals. This is absolutely the most important thing any painter can do. It will literally lay a foundation for everything that comes after it. If you don’t know how to make good shapes, manipulate values, develop color harmony, etc. then you won’t fully develop as a painter. How can you if you have no foundation on which to build.

  2. Learn How to Draw. I always get lots of flack (from people who can’t draw, and never learned) that you don’t need to know how to draw to be a painter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Drawing is THE FOUNDATION for all art, regardless of subject matter, style, etc. How can you paint a vase of flowers if you can’t model the values on the curves of the vase, or how do you paint the bottom curve of the vase if you don’t know how to properly draw it (one of the most common mistakes I see in still life paintings). How to do you paint a building if you can;’t draw perspective? (The second most common mistake I see). How can you possible paint the figure or the face without knowing the 7 plains of the face and how to render them?

  3. Find Paints and Brushes That You’re Comfortable Using. This one sounds basic, but it takes time to find the right combination of materials that you feel comfortable using. It sometimes takes quite a bit of money and trial and error to find what works. If you aren’t comfortable with your materials and how to use them, you’ll find it difficult to have an enjoyable time painting.

  4. Be Patient of Slow Growth. This is a tough one because everyone want to rush everything these days. Folks want shortcuts, or passwords, or handshakes or whatever, rather than putting in the work it takes to be good at something. Being good at painting takes time and the learning can’t be rushed or crammed like a final exam in college. Take time to learn the important stuff and enjoy the journey of learning to paint.

  5. Don’t Think Every Painting Has to be a Masterpiece. When you first begin painting, most all of your work will suck. But don’t get discouraged, just know that going in and you’ll do fine. I remember celebrating the small wins when they came along. About 30-40% of what I paint sucks and gets covered over or put in the trash. It’s part of being a painter. The good news is the more you learn and the more you paint, the better you’ll be. Use inexpensive surfaces when learning so you won’t be so disappointed when something doesn’t work out (and buy lots of gesso!).

I hope this was helpful for you. I wish I had known all of this when I got into painting 30 years ago - I think the journey would have been a lot smoother and taken a lot less time. Enjoy the journey and take it slow.

If you’d like to start your art journey learning the Design Fundamentals, Click Here for my online course.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

2022 Workshops

As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Copy-Cover Pic2.jpg

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More



Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More