Other stories

What You Need When Learning How to Paint [Infographic]

One of the most popular types of hobbies that many people enjoy is painting, which can be an outlet for those who are creative. Learning how to paint can be challenging, but is achievable with the right materials and supplies used. When you want to learn how to paint, there are a few art supplies to purchase to prepare for the process.

gtg4t

Easel

An easel is essential when learning how to paint because it will prop up the canvas that you work on and can be adjusted to your height with a simple ratchet control. The easel can last a lifetime if quality materials are used, which can allow you to make an investment in a product that will make it easy to have good posture and sit or stand comfortably while painting.

If the paintings that you’re working on are smaller in size, you can consider purchasing a tabletop easel as a beginner when you’re starting out. The product is ideal for paintings that are 11 inches by 14 inches until you progress to larger paintings.

Canvas

Most painting instructors will want you to begin painting by using acrylics on canvas. Most canvases are pre-primed and are ready to be used. You can also choose to purchase canvas sheets that you can stretch yourself.

Choose a pre-streched pad if you’re learning how to paint with watercolors with sheets of paper that have already been stretched.

Acrylic Paints

Look for acrylic paints that are pigmented and contain more binder to avoid using a low-quality product that affects the outcome of each painting that you create. You may spend less on cheaper paints, but it can influence the quality of your work as you learn how to paint.

Begin by choosing a basic palette of color shades that include phthalo blue, cadmium red, burnt umber, phthalo green, and new gamboge. You can learn how to mix the different colors to create other color shades for variety.

Wood

Wood is one of the best surfaces to use when you begin painting when you want to test out acrylic paints and challenge yourself with a different type of material to use for your art. You’ll need to apply a few layers of gesso and allow it to dry before painting the piece of wood.

Palette

A palette is essential to use to separate the different colors of your paint and make the shades easy to access as you work on a new art piece. A cheap plastic paint palette will suffice and can be used for either acrylics or watercolors.

Brushes

It’s important to choose high-quality brushes to use when learning how to paint to ensure that the materials remain durable and that the bristles don’t shed. Although you may see your instructor with dozens of brushes, you only need a few as a beginning. Different types of paints will also require different brushes. As small liner brush is necessary to create small details that are precise. Flat wash brushes will be useful for painting backgrounds, and a filbert is needed when you’re practicing broad strokes.

When you’re practicing with watercolors, you’ll need to purchase a round brush for general painting and a liner brush for the smaller details. A large flat brush can also be used for washes.

The guide below may prove useful for choosing the most appropriate paint brush.

wrfrqefre

If you have any questions, please ask below!