NationStates Jolt Archive

Because I am so darn bored, but I am no artist. I don't even know where to start with painting. I am about to go out to Wally World(walmart) and buy supplies. What would be a good starting paint set for someone like me? I mean, what type of paint, brushes, pads etc?

Also, what should I paint? I was thinking of making a nude portrait of myself, but such beauty would be hindered by a mere painting ;)

get some watercolors and 2 or 3 watercolor brushes.

draw a pic on watercolor paper and "colorize" it with the watercolors.

with watercolors it doesnt matter much if you go outside the lines or if the colors come out funny.

dont try to paint over something you have already painted.

Also, what should I paint? I was thinking of making a nude portrait of myself, but such beauty would be hindered by a mere painting ;)

You could always paint yourself?(Literally)

I think people do that sometimes.

As someone who's been painting for about two years now, I would definitely recommend Liquitex Basics for beginners. It's a relatively cheap set of paints, however it's a bit thin but I doubt it'll be that noticeable if you're just starting. :)

http://www.liquitex.com/Products/paintbasicsstudent.cfm

I assume you live in the states since you mentioned the Empire (walmart). You can easily pick up a set for about $15.

Fingerpaint

Fingerpainting was fun when I was little. :)

Because I am so darn bored, but I am no artist. I don't even know where to start with painting. I am about to go out to Wally World(walmart) and buy supplies. What would be a good starting paint set for someone like me? I mean, what type of paint, brushes, pads etc?

Also, what should I paint? I was thinking of making a nude portrait of myself, but such beauty would be hindered by a mere painting ;)

Do you have a community college nearby? Classes could be free if you're not taking them for credit. That's how I'd do it if I had the time (I want to paint, but am too damn short on time and cash). That way, you learn under a professional, and usually get canvasses, gessoes, paints and brushes free to use and find out what you like. That stuff all looks cheap until you do the math and realize that you're going to waste a bunch before you get things right. A box of prismacolors is like $85.00 around here, and that's just colored pencils for sketches. Ugh.

Fingerpaint

Good tip from Port Arcana - Liquitex Basics Acrylics, red, blue, yellow, black and white. From these you can mix all other colors. Personally, I also like to buy two browns, Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber, because mixing browns can be a pain. Buy a basic painting how-to book that shows color charts that will help you experiment with mixing. Next, brushes -- start cheap, with 3 sizes from small for details to wide for large areas or washes of color. As you get used to it, you will want more brushes. Also buy some cheap plastic paint trays for mixing and collect some spare jars or containers for water. You'll need water for cleaning the brushes as you go and for thinning the paint. Finally, a painting surface -- go for canvas board or else try heavy watercolor paper pads.

Acrylic paint in tubes comes moderately thick and can be thinned with water to almost watercolor paint consistency (very transparent). Experiment with it to see what you like.

Good tip from Port Arcana - Liquitex Basics Acrylics, red, blue, yellow, black and white. From these you can mix all other colors. Personally, I also like to buy two browns, Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber, because mixing browns can be a pain. Buy a basic painting how-to book that shows color charts that will help you experiment with mixing. Next, brushes -- start cheap, with 3 sizes from small for details to wide for large areas or washes of color. As you get used to it, you will want more brushes. Also buy some cheap plastic paint trays for mixing and collect some spare jars or containers for water. You'll need water for cleaning the brushes as you go and for thinning the paint. Finally, a painting surface -- go for canvas board or else try heavy watercolor paper pads.

Acrylic paint in tubes comes moderately thick and can be thinned with water to almost watercolor paint consistency (very transparent). Experiment with it to see what you like.

Well, with acrylic you can actually paint on just about any surface as long as you don't water down the paint too much. If I'm desperately in need of canvas but can't afford any, I usually just cut out a front of a cereal box and paint on that. :P

Oh, and painting on paper is bad because the acrylic tends to dry and then break off the paper.

If you're really itching to go out and start right now, I'd agree with other posters and say that acrylics are a good bet. Otherwise, look into signing up for a class somewhere; it would be much more useful for learning technique and such (at least in my opinion, which granted might not be worth much given that it's been years since I've done any real painting).

I'm also fond of oil pastels, but if you're craving the feeling of having a paintbrush in hand, that won't do you much good.

Well, I guess its settled then. Going to go buy some acrylics right now :) Will post a picture of what I create :p


In the mean time, I want others to post their painted art work :)

Paint it black.

Fingerpainting sounds like a good idea.

Fingerpaint

pfft. Finger paint? What, is he five? REAL men facepaint.

I generally use acrylics. They are cheap, easy to mix and come in many bright colors. Make sure to buy a quality brush. It is very frusturating to paint when your brush bristles are hard as steel.

Here. (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y295/Jedi-Gilthanas/Painting.png)
So what if I just ran a picture though some photoshop filters?
It was either that, something from MS paint, or not participate in this thread.

I also hereby dedicate this thread. (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y295/Jedi-Gilthanas/dedicatedtobobross.jpg)

Because I am so darn bored, but I am no artist. I don't even know where to start with painting. I am about to go out to Wally World(walmart) and buy supplies. What would be a good starting paint set for someone like me? I mean, what type of paint, brushes, pads etc?

Here're some online rsources:
http://www.wannalearn.com/Fine_Arts/Visual_Art/Painting/
http://studiochalkboard.evansville.edu/paint.html

However, I agree with TPC that taking a class (or a workshop at least) is a good way to get into it, especially if you want to do anything halfway serious...

Also, what should I paint? I was thinking of making a nude portrait of myself, but such beauty would be hindered by a mere painting ;)

Heheh. Excellent. All artists have egos. :)

You could always paint yourself?(Literally)

I think people do that sometimes.

Indeed people do, in both senses. The human body was one of the first canvases. Self-portaits are also very common, and one of the training techniques commonly employed in art classes.

Fingerpainting was fun when I was little. :)

It still is at my age. :D

Do you have a community college nearby? Classes could be free if you're not taking them for credit. That's how I'd do it if I had the time (I want to paint, but am too damn short on time and cash). That way, you learn under a professional, and usually get canvasses, gessoes, paints and brushes free to use and find out what you like. That stuff all looks cheap until you do the math and realize that you're going to waste a bunch before you get things right. A box of prismacolors is like $85.00 around here, and that's just colored pencils for sketches. Ugh.

I recomend this as well. Or at least take an intro workshop. I haven't painted in ages, but I got started with a weekend workshop my mom (a semi-working artist now) signed herself, my brother and I up for while I was home on vacation.

Well, with acrylic you can actually paint on just about any surface as long as you don't water down the paint too much. If I'm desperately in need of canvas but can't afford any, I usually just cut out a front of a cereal box and paint on that. :P

Oh, and painting on paper is bad because the acrylic tends to dry and then break off the paper.

When I used to paint regularly, I did a lot of mixed water media, and usually used watercolor paper. I never had any trouble. And of course there's always http://www.dickblick.com/zz101/52/...

Walmart didn't have any painting supplies! Dubya Tee Eff. -sigh- Oh well. I will try and see if I can take some free courses.

Walmart didn't have any painting supplies! Dubya Tee Eff. -sigh- Oh well. I will try and see if I can take some free courses.

Heh. Not suprised. I didn't remember Wally World having anything so cultural.

Try a craft store - Ben Franklin's or Hobby Lobby.

Online, try Cheap Joe's: They have a novice watercolor set that should do you for just 19.99.
http://www.cheapjoes.com/art-supply/WC2000_4530_royal-langnickel-aqualon-watercolor-brush-paint-set.asp
And an oil set too: http://www.cheapjoes.com/art-supply/OIL2000_4536_royal-langnickel-regis-oil-color-brush-paint-set.asp

I'll just add, if you're just futzing around and don't think you'll stick with it, go ahead and get student grade paints. Otherwise, invest in artist's grade paints. (Student grade paints are cheaper, but end up actually being more expensive because they have less of the pigment in them, so you have to use more if you really want the colors to look good.)

Do you know what media (oils, watercolors, acrylics, etc.) you're interested in?

-snip interesting info-
Do you know what media (oils, watercolors, acrylics, etc.) you're interested in?
I am not sure what I really want to get into. I just want to do something for fun.

I am not sure what I really want to get into. I just want to do something for fun.

IMHO, watercolors or acrylics are a good starting step until you figure out more.

Watercolors are water based (obviously) and don't require much more than a simple set of colors, some paper, and a couple of brushes. Drying is relatively fast.

Acrylics can be used like oils or watercolors, use water as the solvent, and are quick drying.

Oils require a fair amount of extra stuff and are slow to dry. They're also smelly and messy.

Do you have a budget in mind?

If you want to go cheap, I'd say get that set and a block of "Arches Watercolor Block, 140 lb. Hot Pressed, 7" x 10", 20 Sheets" ($17) from Cheap Joes and see if there's a free class around. If there're no free classes, try a book from the library or find a PBS show like Bob Ross. (Indeed a good dedication, Bann-ed. ;))

Here are some sites with some basic info for beginers:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/ArtSchool/Watercolors/BeginnerTips/index.html
http://www.fountainstudio.com/watercolor_tips.html
http://www.squidoo.com/watercolor-tips-lessons

If you have some $$$ to spend, try and find a workshop, so you can at least get the basics down. Having a RL teacher has a lot of advantages. Alternately, there are art classes on video, or DVD, like this one: http://www.fountainstudio.com/watercolor_videos.html

Here're a bunch of stories on how folks got into it:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=479904