Paints
Painting is a way to channel your creative energies. It is also a way to help you relax and observe the world around you. There are a variety of painting techniques. Professional painters recommend beginners start with watercolors because they are inexpensive and the technique is simple. Acrylic painting gives the artist more options with textures, while avoiding the complicated use of solvents. Oil painting---the technique used by the Renaissance masters---allows many artistic possibilities.
Watercolor Painting
Beginners usually start with watercolors. Watercolors are more forgiving than acrylics or oils because mistakes are less apparent. If this is the first time you are using a paintbrush, start with watercolors.
It is an inexpensive introduction to the world of painting. All you need is paper, water, watercolors and a paintbrush. Watercolor painting has limitless possibilities; shades of color can change with the amount of water used, and textures vary with different brush techniques. Once you master watercolors, you can manipulate colors and textures as you become familiar with your materials and techniques.
Acrylic Painting
Intermediate painters should learn acrylic painting after mastering the watercolor techniques. Acrylics are water-based paints; other solvents are not necessary. You can manipulate the color pigments by watering colors down, or using less water. Moreover, many artists find acrylics satisfying to use because they are fast drying, and you can see the results of your work quickly.
To get started, you will need acrylic paints of basic colors, such as red, blue, yellow, white, brown, green and purple. You should purchase stiff-bristled brushes that are suitable for acrylic paints. Use a plastic palette because it is easy to wash and re-use with different colors. Fill a jar with clean water and have paper towels ready.
Oil Painting
Oil painting is a more difficult technique. This is the technique that the European Renaissance masters used in their masterpieces. Oil paints dry slowly and that quality allows you ample opportunity to make changes to your painting. Many artists love the oil technique because it is versatile. Painter Bill Creevey says in his book, The Oil Painting Book, "Whether an artist wants color applied flat or illusionistically, hard-edged or subtly, heavily built up or exquisitely glazed, oil paint can easily do the job." Oil paints are most suitable for portraying textures in your work. Because oil paints dry slowly, you can experiment with the textures and colors until you are satisfied.
To get started with oil painting, you will need oil paint tubes in primary and secondary colors. A thinner or solvent such as turpentine is needed to thin your oil paints and to clean your paintbrushes. Professional painters recommend thick hog-hair paintbrushes to work with this thicker paint. You will also need to purchase primers to protect your canvas; otherwise, the oil paints will eventually deteriorate your canvas.
You can find watercolor, acrylic and oil painting supplies at an art supplies store such as Michael's or Aaron Brothers.
