Embarking on Your Art Journey: How to Get Into Painting

It’s time to embark on an art journey where creativity knows no bounds and your imagination takes flight. If you’re been wondering how you can get into painting, this is the place for you.

This adventure begins with a foundation in the basics, such as choosing the right materials and embracing fundamental techniques of painting. Learn how to express your individuality through the strokes, colors, and textures you’re about to wield. 

Whether your heart is drawn to the subtle hues of watercolors, the rich depth of oils, the versatility of acrylic paint, or the soft impressions of pastels, learning about each medium’s unique qualities will open doors to a world of creative expression.

This guide provides a step-by-step process on how to get into painting, as follows:

1. Discover Your Artistic Preferences: Explore different styles, mediums, and techniques to find what resonates with you.
2. Gather Your Materials: Get the necessary supplies such as paints, brushes, and a canvas. Hint: Order a paint-by-numbers kit and we’ll ship you everything you need.
3. Learn Basic Techniques: Understand fundamental painting techniques such as color mixing, brushwork, and layering.
4. Practice Regularly: Keep practicing and experimenting to improve painting skills.
5. Create a Portfolio: Compile some of your work into a collection/portfolio to showcase progress and share your art with others.
6. Keep Exploring and Learning: Keep challenging yourself with new techniques, styles, and subjects.

#1. Discover Your Artistic Preferences

The first step in embarking on your art journey is to discover your artistic preferences. This involves exploring different styles, mediums, and techniques to find what resonates with you.

Art Styles

Art styles are the distinctive ways in which artists use visual language to give an artwork an identifiable form of consistent and recurring characteristics. Some of the most popular art styles include realism, impressionism, and abstract art.

Realism

This art style captures subjects as they are, without artificial enhancements or unrealistic elements. Realism emerged in the mid-19th century, challenging the romanticized scenes that dominated previous art by focusing on ordinary daily life with honesty and a detailed eye.

Notable artists include Jean-François Millet, Gustave Courbet, and Edward Hopper are key figures who emphasized the beauty in the mundane.

Impressionism

This style features small, visible brush strokes and focuses on how light changes, often using unique visual angles. Impressionism started in late 19th-century France and initially faced harsh criticism from conventional art critics due to how it captured fleeting moments through light and color.

Prominent Impressionist artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir led the movement. It gets its name from how the artist focuses on spontaneous and personal impressions of a scene rather than precise details.

In other words, this style emphasizes perception over realism.

Abstract

Abstract art employs shapes, forms, colors, and lines to create compositions that stand apart from real-world visuals. Originating in the early 20-th century, the abstract movement moved away from direct representation to emphasize shapes, colors, and forms that might not resemble real-world objects but convey specific emotions or ideas.

Pioneers of this art form include Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, and Jackson Pollock. This style allows for a more profound interpretation beyond the visible, influencing not just art but also the design and overall perception of aesthetics.

Abstract art invites viewers to engage with the artwork at a deeper level, sparking imagination and personal interpretation.

There are dozens of painting styles and even more subcategories. You may have heard of cubism (Pablo Picasso), surrealism (Jean Arp, Max Ernst), and expressionism (Edvard Munch, Egon Schiele).

As you get started with painting, we suggest that you simply follow your heart and refine your styles as you go along. Who knows, you may create an entirely new art style and gain everlasting fame!

Art Techniques

Art techniques are the foundational skills and processes that artists use to bring an artistic vision to life. They are vital for expressing emotions, creating textures, and achieving visual depth. 

Think of art techniques as the foundational skills necessary for translating creative ideas into actual works of art. Some notable painting techniques include:

• Color mixing: Combining two or more colors to create a new color
• Layering: Applying multiple layers of paint to create depth and texture.
• Sgraffito: From the Italian word for “scratched,” it involves scratching through a layer of paint to reveal another layer beneath, creating contrasting lines or shapes.
• Dry brushing: Applying paint with a dry brush and minimal paint to achieve a scratchy, textured effect, often used to highlight edges or textures.
• Dabbing: Using a sponge or a piece of cloth to dab paint onto the canvas, creating a texture that can mimic natural elements like foliage or clouds.
• Stippling: Creating patterns with small dots of paint, which can vary in density to form gradients or textures.
• Underpainting: Beginning with an initial layer of paint that sets the tone and values for the painting, which can add depth and complexity when additional layers are applied.

There are tens, perhaps even hundreds, of painting techniques. All come with various rules that can be confusing to grasp and follow. Again, our advice is simple: follow your heart and leave it to the critics to categorize your work.

You can also check out this guide to the essential painting techniques to give you an idea of where to start. You may also want to explore your artistic preferences to discover what you like or don’t like, so consider visiting art galleries, museums, and online art catalogs.

#2. Collect the Necessary Materials

Before you can begin painting, you will need to gather all the materials needed, depending on the style of painting you wish to pursue. These materials are generally referred to as painting mediums.

Each painting medium—whether oil, acrylic, watercolor, or pastel—has its own set of requirements that greatly influences the final outcome.

From choosing the right type of canvas or paper to selecting the best brushes and paints for your technique, the materials you choose will become the foundation of your creative expression. The main points of consideration include the paints, brushes, canvas, and palettes for your painting.

Types of Paints

Your most important decision will be choosing the type of paint you use. Oil paints are prized for their rich, buttery texture and longer drying times, which lets you blend colors seamlessly on the canvas.

On the other hand, acrylic paints are water-soluble, dry quickly, and offer a versatile range of options for both beginners and experienced artists. For example, you can use acrylics to mimic both watercolor and oil paint effects.

Watercolor paints are known for their translucent, delicate effect. You can layer light washes to create depth and luminosity, making watercolors the ideal type of paint for capturing subtle shifts in light and color in a landscape painting or delicate portrait.

However, watercolors are typically used on paper and require a different approach than oil or acrylic paints. They’re more difficult to control, especially for oil painters. We recommend starting with thicker paint before graduating to artist-grade paints.

Learn more about these and other types of paints as you decide on what medium to use.

Types of Brushes

There are many different types of brushes, each designed for a specific purpose. The following table outlines various types of paintbrushes and their sizes, offering a glimpse into their design, functionality, and the artistic purposes they serve.

There are a few more nuances to consider when selecting painting brushes. For instance, the material of the brush bristles plays a significant role in the brush’s performance.

Natural bristles, made from animal hair, are highly prized for their ability to hold paint and produce smooth, even strokes, making them ideal for an oil painting.

Synthetic brushes, on the other hand, are more durable and less prone to damage from water, making them suitable for acrylic colors and watercolors.

The handle length of the brush also affects brush manipulation. Short handles offer more control for detailed work, typically used in fine art or when working up close on smaller canvases.

Long handles allow for broader strokes and are often used for painting on larger canvases or when you want to work standing up, giving you the ability to step back and view the work from a distance. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, visit a local art store to test some brushes.

Palette

Serving as the surface where artists mix and arrange colors palettes can affect the ease of color mixing and your overall workflow. The main types of palettes you can buy include:

• Wooden palettes: traditional and classy, they must be treated with linseed oil or varnish to prevent the absorption of oil from the paint
• Plastic palettes: Cheap, lightweight, and easy to clean
• Glass palettes: They make mixing and cleaning easy; you can also place them over a neutral or white background to gauge the color mix.
• Disposable palettes: After painting, the top sheet can be torn off and discarded, making cleanup a breeze.

When selecting a palette, consider factors such as the type of paint you’re using, the method of color mixing, and personal ergonomic preferences.

For example, oil paints may work better with a sturdy and spacious wooden or glass palette, while watercolors may require a plastic palette with multiple wells.

Canvas

The canvas is the painting surface. It could be made of  Canvases that come in a variety of sizes and can be stretched over a frame or used as is. There’s a huge variety of canvases to meet the diverse needs of artists.

For now, we recommend that you buy stretched cotton canvas or linen (if you can afford it). Get one that is primed for the type of paint you want to use; for example, some types of canvases are only primed for oil paintings.

It’s also a good idea to check for the quality (weight) of the canvas. In general, we recommend using a canvas that’s 10 oz/foot or heavier, especially if you’re not sure about paint quality.

If you want to learn more about canvas stretching, check out this detailed guide or join an online art school to help you get started.

#3. Learn Basic Techniques

If you’re creating original art, you must master the basic painting techniques. 

This section offers a detailed exploration of key painting techniques for beginners. Each technique enhances your skill set and enriches your ability to express your creative vision on the canvas.

Color Mixing

Color mixing is the art of blending various hues to create new shades and tones, serving as a foundational skill in painting. It empowers artists to unlock a vast spectrum of colors from a limited palette, enriching their work with depth and vibrancy. 

A deep dive into the color wheel, along with a comprehension of the interactions between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, significantly enhances your ability to mix colors effectively. 

With enough knowledge and practice, you’ll cultivate an intuitive sense of how colors relate to and influence each other. In turn, that will broaden your creative horizons and enable more nuanced expressions in your art.

Brushwork

Brushwork means the unique manner in which a painter employs a brush to transfer paint onto the canvas. It is a direct extension of the artist’s intent and style.

The diversity in brush strokes allows for the creation of a multitude of textures and effects, enriching the painting with layers of depth and captivating interest. 

For example, dabbing introduces a sense of texture and volume, hatching brings in directional movement and shading, while stippling creates intricate patterns and gradations of tone. 

Each technique opens up endless possibilities for expression, enabling artists to convey their visions with nuanced complexity and vibrant dynamism.

Layering

Layering is an artistic technique where a painter skillfully applies successive layers of paint onto a canvas, ensuring each layer dries thoroughly before the next is added.

This method enriches a painting with depth and complexity, inviting viewers into a more textured and nuanced visual experience. Notably, different types of paint interact with this technique in unique ways. 

For example, oil paints, celebrated for their rich texture and vibrant colors, necessitate extended drying periods between layers. This careful, deliberate painting process allows artists to build up a painting’s dimensionality and detail, crafting works that captivate and engage the audience with their intricate layering.

This could all feel overwhelming if you have no prior experience or training in painting. Luckily, there’s an even easier way to get into painting. Order a custom paint by numbers kit and start painting right away without worrying about paint selection, mixing, or canvases.

This way, you can start practicing painting right away and focus on growing your skills before venturing into more creative work.

#4. Practice Regularly

Regular practice is the real key to mastering painting. Commitment deepens the exploration of your creative potential and helps you elevate your work.

Through consistent painting, you can refine your abilities and forge a unique artistic voice.

Don’t worry about making mistakes—the journey of artistic growth is rich with trial and error. Mistakes should be viewed not as setbacks but as integral steps in the learning process. As Scott Adams famously said,

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams.

Mistakes allow you to learn valuable lessons and offer unique insights that guide you toward deeper self-expression and creativity. Before you have a finished painting, you will probably face frustration and self doubt as you navigate the nuances of the art world.

#5. Craft Your Artistic Portfolio

An artist’s portfolio is a curated compilation of your works from different times and frames of mind. Think of it as a representation of your artistic journey that displays the evolution of your skills, the refinement of your techniques, and the uniqueness of your creative voice. 

Such a collection, whether embodied in a tangible assembly of your paintings or presented as an accessible digital gallery online, acts as a testament to your dedication and growth as an artist. 

A portfolio highlights your accomplishments and offers a window into the diverse range of your abilities and the distinctiveness of your aesthetic. That’s why it’s important to create and share a portfolio as a way of communicating your vision to the world.

There are two main types of portfolios you can create: a physical portfolio and a digital portfolio.

A physical portfolio is a tangible collection of your art in the form of a binder, folder, or professionally bound book. It’s a great way to share your work as a professional painter when you’re attending events in person.

On the other hand, a digital portfolio is an online collection of your artwork, such as a personal website, a page on an art platform, or a social media account dedicated to your art. It allows you to reach a much wider audience and grow your following.

When compiling a portfolio, consider the following:

• Selection: Choose your best works that showcase your skills and range as an artist. Aim for diversity in terms of techniques, styles, and subjects.
• Presentation: Arrange your works in a logical order. This could be chronological, thematic, or based on the medium used. Ensure each piece is visible and well-represented.
• Documentation: For each piece, include relevant information such as the title, medium, size, and the year it was created. You may also include a brief description or statement about the work.
• Updating: Regularly update your portfolio with new works. This shows your ongoing commitment to your art and your development as an artist.

Lastly, include an image of a well-organized art portfolio, either physical or digital, to give readers a visual idea of what a portfolio looks like.

Keep Exploring and Learning

Inspiration is a boundless force that can emerge from the most unexpected places—whether it’s the serene beauty of natural landscapes, the vibrant energy of city streets, the diverse stories of people we meet, or the limitless realms of our imagination. 

To capture these fleeting moments of inspiration, always have a sketchbook or a digital note-taking app within reach. This allows you to swiftly record your ideas, doodles, or detailed sketches, ensuring that no spark of creativity is lost. 

Observe the world with a keen, artistic eye, turning everyday experiences into potential art projects and fostering a habit of creative exploration and documentation.

One thing about art is, don’t worry about the rules or conventions. As you get inspired to create and share paintings, focus on growing the fundamental skills of mixing paints, brushwork, and layering, then grow from there.

While at it, assemble your artistic toolkit and dedicate yourself to consistent practice. You’re not just preparing for an artistic endeavor; you’re initiating a deeply fulfilling journey of creativity.

The most important action you can take is to simply begin. Welcome to a brave new world of self-discovery and self-expression.