Painting for Beginners does not have to be a daunting prospect. By keeping some key points in mind, beginners can learn to create beautiful works of art. There are no rules when choosing your style, but there are some guidelines. There is no right or wrong way to make art, so allow yourself to experiment and explore. It's also essential to find your own voice and style. Don't compare yourself to other artists; instead, focus on developing your unique vision. Making mistakes is a part of making art; embrace the process and enjoy the journey. 

Choose the Right Medium

If you are interested in how to start making art, the 1st step should be the suitable medium that is more comfortable for you. Art is a beautiful form of expression, but art for beginners can be overwhelming since there are so many available.
In art for beginners, some mediums are more forgiving, while others require more precision but can produce stunning results. Find a brief overview of some common art mediums.

Oil Paint

Many beginner artists choose to start with oil paints for their smooth, creamy texture and are easy to blend, which can be helpful for art beginners. Another advantage of oil paints is that they take longer to dry, allowing you to make corrections. This is among the important things every artist should know: oil painting reproductions can be messy, and its odor and fumes can be overwhelming, so you must paint in a well-ventilated area.
Despite its fame and recognition, "Starry Night" is a painting that beginners can aspire to recreate. Van Gogh's use of contrast between light and dark is one of the most striking aspects of the painting and can be achieved through careful brushwork and layering of paint.

Starry Night

Acrylic Paint 

Acrylic paint is a good choice for beginners because it is relatively easy to use, forgives mistakes, and can be used for many techniques. In addition, acrylic paint dries quickly and is easy to clean up. However, it can be difficult to achieve subtlety with acrylic paint

Watercolor Painting 

Watercolor paint is relatively inexpensive and easy to start with, making art for beginners more approachable. All you need is a set of paints and some paper, and you can begin experimenting right away with creating art portraits. However, watercolor can be tricky to control, and the results can often be unpredictable. 

Mixed Media 

Opting for mixed media opens up a whole range of possibilities, and you may find that you prefer working with a combination of materials. For example, you could use paint to create the background of your piece, then add a pencil or charcoal for the finer details. Don't hesitate to experiment!

Ultimately, the best medium for you is the one you feel most comfortable with. So if you are interested in how to start making art it is important to experiment with different art supplies and find the medium that brings your vision to life.

Choose Right Brushes

There are two main types of brushes - bristle and sable - each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Most of the time, the most significant mistakes come from the wrong brushes for each purpose, so knowing the differences are some of things every artist should know.  In fact, the selection of the right brushes is essential for any oil painting, especially for creating works with fine details like "Twilight in the Wilderness."

Twilight in the Wilderness by Frederic Edwin Church

Bristle brushes are typically cheaper and can hold more paint, making them ideal for large projects. However, their coarse hair can be tough on delicate surfaces. 

  • Round brushes are versatile and suitable for both large areas and small details.
  • Flat brushes are better suited to broad strokes and covering large areas. 
  • Sable brushes, on the other hand, are more expensive, but their soft hair makes them perfect for painting intricate details. 

Clean Your Brushes

If one can't clean the brushes properly, they will go to waste and might even have the need to buy a new one. Any painter will tell you that cleaning your brushes is essential to creating good art. Whether you're using natural or synthetic bristles, proper cleaning will not only prolong the life of your brushes but will also ensure that they perform at their best. 

When it comes to oil painting, for example, using dirty brushes can lead to muddy colors and an overall loss of detail. Imagine you are drawing custom portraits from photos using dirty brushes. It can be a great challenge to capture the details and nuances of the person in the photograph. That's why cleaning your brushes thoroughly after each painting session is important. Find some tips on how to clean your brushes here.

  • Water and soap - The water should not be too hot as it may damage the brush's hair. Rinse the brush well and as many times as necessary to take the soap entirely off it.
  • Fabric softeners - These softeners are a reliable option to make your brush's life long-lasting. With this option, your brushes will be soft, and the hair will not break. 
  • Soft rags to remove paint - After painting, remove the paint from your brushes. To do so, use soft materials like soft rags or napkins. You should pay special attention to acrylic paints as they dry very quickly. You should clean your brushes from acrylic paints directly after having used them. 
  • Olive oil - After having washed the brushes, you can give them a second life with a natural softener like olive oil. Let your brushes rest in olive oil for some time. 

But what if you don't have time to clean them properly? In that case, it's better to wash them with a mild soap and water solution and then allow them to air-dry overnight. This cleaning method will remove most of the paint from the bristles and prevent them from hardening. However, if you let your brushes go too long without a thorough cleaning, you may eventually need to replace them altogether.

Important General Tips for Painting for Beginners

Making art is an incredibly rewarding experience that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. While there are endless creative possibilities for painting for beginners, it is important to know some general tips in order to get the most out of any artistic endeavor.

Uniqueness is a Key

One of the essential things about art is that there are endless possibilities for what you can create. Whether you're looking to capture the beauty of nature or create something completely abstract, one of the best ways to find your own unique style is to experiment and explore different techniques and mediums. 

Take Rejection as an Opportunity

The path to success, especially in art, is often littered with rejections. Gallery owners may turn up their noses at your work, curators may overlook your submissions, and collectors may pass you by in favor of more established names. However, it is important to remember that rejections are simply a part of the process; El Greco, Monet, Paul Cezanne, and other famous artists have experienced rejection in their most severe forms. Instead of giving up, view each rejection as an opportunity. 

Don't Stop Learning

There is one thing that all great artists have in common: a willingness to learn. It does not matter how much talent someone has; they will never create a masterpiece if they are unwilling to experiment and try new things. This is what separates the truly great artists from the rest. An artist is always looking for new ways to improve their craft, whether by studying other artists' work or trying out new techniques.

Hard Work = Great Art

As Picasso said, "inspiration exists, but it has to find you working". This quote is often cited as evidence that hard work is more important than talent when creating popular paintings. And there is undoubtedly a lot of truth to this view. No one becomes a master overnight, and even the most gifted artists have to put in countless hours of practice before they can produce their best work. 

Experience Makes It Better 

People say that experience is the best guide and teacher. The more you create, the better you will become at your craft. This is why it is so important to experiment and explore new techniques. It is easy to get stuck in a rut, but by constantly pushing yourself to try new things, you will find that your art will continue to improve.

Additionally, it is also important to take a step back and review your work from time to time. This follow-up will allow and help you to see what areas need improvement and allow you to reflect on your successes. By continually striving for excellence, you can ensure that your art will reach its full potential.

Conclusion 

As a beginner artist, you may face many challenges and uncertainties. Do not panic; take your time. Follow some tips to enter into the process and develop your artistic skills. If you feel comfortable with the painting mediums and have found the right tools, like brushes, you have overcome the first steps. Now it's time to learn more things and work hard. In order to progress in your art, it is essential to practice regularly. 

As with any skill and ability, the more you learn and practice, the better you will become at it. Make time for art every single day, even if it's just for a few minutes. Also, don't be afraid to experiment. Trying new things is an imperative part of the creative process. Sooner or later, you will find your unique style. Just relax and enjoy the journey.