Painting is the process of applying one or more coats of colored liquid to a surface to create an image. Usually the paint is applied to a canvas, although it can also be applied to glass, wood, walls, pottery, and concrete. There are many different techniques for painting, including the use of brushes, rollers, sponges, rags, and airbrushes. The materials used in painting can vary, too, from watercolors and acrylics to oils and encaustics.
There are many reasons for an artist to make paintings, but the primary purpose is to convey emotions and ideas. Painters often employ elements of design and composition in their work to achieve certain visual results. The color choices, brushwork, and texture of a painting can evoke a mood or create symbolism, for example.
The first step is to select a subject to paint. This can be as simple as choosing a picture or drawing to copy, or it could involve more complex planning such as considering the color harmony and the balance of shapes, forms, lines, and colors in the subject.
Once you have the subject selected, it is time to prepare the surface on which you will paint. For a wall, this means washing and cleaning the surface to remove dust and dirt and to ensure that the finished painting will adhere properly. It is a good idea to apply a primer, especially if the surface is new and has not been previously painted, or if you are painting over a dark color with a light color. The primer can help the new paint adhere and can also hide any flaws in the surface.
Before you begin to paint, it is a good idea to practice mixing the different tints and shades of the colors you plan to use. You can do this by mixing small quantities of the different colors and testing how they look on a white piece of paper or on your palette. This will help you get a feel for how the paints behave and mix, and it will give you some experience using your brushes.
It is important to have a clear understanding of your goal and the skill level you hope to achieve. It may be that you want to achieve a high level of skill and become a master realist painter like John Singer Sargent or Joaquin Sorolla, but this will require a significant amount of training and dedication. For most, this will not be a realistic goal, but it is fine to start with what you can do and strive to improve.
If you are just starting out, it is a good idea to purchase some quality paints and brushes. You can find affordable starter kits at most art stores. Using higher-quality paints will allow you to develop your skills more quickly, as you will be able to mix nice colors. Avoid cheap, value brand paints as they contain less pigment and may cause your painting to look dull or murky.