Whether you’re a novice or an experienced painter, chances are you’ve been itching to get some of that painting under your belt. In our digital age where everyone from amateur artists to professional designers has access to software programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, there’s no shortage of amazing design tutorials on the world wide web about how to improve your artwork and make it stand out from the crowd.
Fortunately for those who enjoy working with their hands and spending time outdoors, one of the best things about being an artist is that you don’t have to be confined to a single space to paint. As long as you have access to different-sized canvases, a variety of paints and brushes, some old books for reference material, and enough wall space in which to set up your easel, you can happily practice your craft anywhere at any time. Here are a few suggestions that may enhance the look of your paintings.
Try Different Mediums
While acrylics, oils, and watercolours are fantastic for many artists, it’s important to try out many different mediums as there is a lot of different paint types that work best with different painting styles. For example, oils work best for painting portraits, while watercolours are ideal for landscape paintings.
You may also find that certain mediums are more effective at highlighting certain colours or textures, so it’s worth experimenting and seeing which type of paint you prefer. Try to also mix up your paints and don’t stick to just one type of pigment for all your work. As an artist’s palette is a personal thing, it’s worth experimenting to see what you like and what you don’t. You may even find that mixing up your paints helps you work with a wider variety of colours, thus helping you expand your pallet and create even more impressive artwork.
Get a Professional Offerup
Although experimenting with different mediums, painting styles, and pigment types can be a wonderful way to expand your artistry, it’s worth also taking professional advice as well. While you may be an amazing painter, it may be worth having your work appraised by a professional to ensure that you’re taking the right approach and avoiding some of the most common mistakes that amateur painters often make. It may also be worth seeing if you can get any tips from a local art school.
Many art schools are willing to offer informal advice about how to improve your artwork and give you a chance to try out some of their classes and techniques to see if they fit your style. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you may even consider contacting nearby universities or community colleges and asking if you can offer a demonstration of your work to their students. Many community colleges and universities are happy to offer students the chance to paint examples of their work to help them improve their skills and artistry.
Bring Out the Color
While it’s important to make your artwork stand out from the crowd, you don’t have to be afraid of making your paintings look a little less than perfect! As an artist, your paintings are the canvas on which you work, so it’s important to bring out the canvas’s true colour.
If your canvas is too blue or too red, these colours may be a little less pronounced than they could be, so it’s worth making sure that your canvas is brought out to its full colour. You may find that lighter or darker pigments are more effective at doing this, or that it’s best to use a combination of different types of paint. Alternatively, if you’re painting on a canvas that has been used before and is more yellow or grey, it may be worth using a lighter pigment to help bring it out to its full colour.
Be Suspicious of Oils and Acrylics
While oils, watercolours, and acrylics are great for bringing out colour and defining shapes, it’s important to remember that many artists also use gouache, mixed media, and pencils in their work.
By choosing these as your painting medium, you’re opting out of one of the most common techniques in art, and one that many amateur painters still use regularly. Oils are incredibly popular with artists but are typically used to create paintings in a tempera style.
This style is typically characterized by its loose brushstrokes and is frequently used in murals and on a large canvas. If you’re hoping to try your hand at creating a more sophisticated piece of work, oils are a great medium but they should not be your only medium. If you’re hoping to create a more sophisticated painting, it’s worth experimenting with acrylics and watercolours, which are more malleable and are perfect for creating an impressionistic piece.
Don’t Be Afraid of Watercolors
Watercolours are a relatively low-cost and low-tech medium that is perfect for beginners, particularly for those who don’t have access to larger materials. If you’re averse to using oils, acrylics, or watercolours as your primary medium, you may find that watercolours are perfect for your style and budget.
Watercolours are typically made using a sable brush and are applied using a watercolour palette. They are incredibly easy to work with and are highly malleable and translucent, making them perfect for creating impressionistic work.
They are also relatively low-tech, which makes them perfect for beginners who may be worried about making a mess or ruining expensive canvases or paper with traditional oils. Although they are not as high-tech as acrylics and oils, they are a perfect middle ground and are a great option for beginners who are worried about damaging expensive art materials.
Conclusion
Whether you’re just starting or you’re an experienced artist looking to expand your style, it’s important to remember that no one approach to painting is better than any other. Each painting style has its advantages and disadvantages, and it’s worth experimenting to see what works best for you and your particular style. You don’t have to be confined to a single space to paint.
You can practice your art anywhere at any time. Try mixing up your paints and using a variety of mediums, and bring out the colours of your canvas. You may also find that mixing up your paints helps you work with a wider variety of colours, thus helping you expand your palette.
