Painting is a medium that has been around for thousands of years. It has evolved over the centuries from rock walls to paper and wood, and later to canvas and other cloths. The paints themselves have progressed from earth colors to plant extracts, and then to modern synthetics. The techniques and subjects have varied over time too. Today, it is difficult to define what painting is because there are so many different points of view.
For some, the essence of painting is color, made up of hue, saturation and value, dispersed over a surface. For others, it is the use of line and shape. Others find inspiration in historical styles or themes, and some are fascinated by the materials, history or techniques used to create paintings. Whatever the subject, or style, there are fundamental skills that all painters need to master in order to be successful.
The first step in learning how to paint is understanding what your goals are for painting. Are you interested in developing a unique and memorable style? That will happen with time and practice. If you are trying to become a master realist painter like John Singer Sargent or Joaquin Sorolla, that will require a rigorous training regimen with a strong focus on drawing and the other fundamentals of painting.
Once you have figured out your goals for painting, you should take a step back and look at the painting process as a whole. It is important to understand the basic steps of painting so that you can avoid common mistakes and develop your technique.
It is important to learn how to pre-paint a surface properly before beginning to paint. This will help prevent any glaring spots or reflections from showing through your finished painting. Also, it will make the painting go faster once you get comfortable with your method.
Another thing that is very important to remember is to not over-paint your work. It is tempting to try to exaggerate your vision of a scene, but it will end up looking amateurish and unnatural. It is important to trust your color checking, and only add more paint if it really needs it.
One of the biggest mistakes that beginners make is over-blending their paint. Smooth blended colors look very artificial, especially up close. Classic paintings do not have all their colors blended together, and they still look fantastic.
Encaustic painting is another type of paint that has gained popularity in recent times. This involves using heated beeswax to which pigments are added, then fusing it to a surface-usually prepared wood, but canvas is also commonly used. The paint is then manipulated with brushes and heated metal tools to shape it.
It is also important to learn how to apply the paint evenly so that it looks professional. This is why it is a good idea to invest in a quality brush that will allow you to paint with plenty of control. Lastly, it is a good idea to keep your colors well mixed so that they are consistent throughout the entire painting.