Elena Rossi
Painting is a skill that can be learned and developed by anyone, regardless of innate talent. The learning path for painting is not static, and it differs from person to person. A beginner painter usually starts with a rough idea of what they want to paint and tends to focus on capturing the likeness of their subject. They often ignore the background and shadows. As painters progress, they start to notice the shortcomings of their paintings and work on improving them. This is the transition from a beginner to an intermediate painter. An intermediate painter can create high-quality work and has mastered the fundamentals of painting. They are also more likely to plan their paintings in advance and pay attention to the finer aspects of painting, such as colour, composition, and value.
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What You'll Learn
Planning your painting in advance
Firstly, it is crucial to understand your inspiration and the idea you want to communicate through your painting. Keep a record of your ideas and any reference photos or images that inspire you. This can be done through sketches, notes, or digital means. You can also experiment with different crops and positions of your reference photo to find the most interesting composition.
Secondly, decide on the subject matter and the outcome you want to achieve. Choose a subject that is meaningful to you and that you are familiar with. Consider the size of your artwork and how it will emphasise your intended message. Think about the shapes, lines, areas of colour, value, and texture that will be included in your painting, ensuring that they work together harmoniously.
Additionally, select the medium that best suits your subject and style. Common options include oils, acrylics, and watercolours, each with its own unique characteristics. For example, oils are slow-drying and ideal for creating fine details, while tempera, made from egg yolk and water, dries quickly.
Lastly, take the time to plan the basic features of your painting. This includes the composition, which is key to the success of your artwork. Consider the rule of thirds and other composition guidelines to create a well-balanced layout. You may also want to invest in a viewfinder to help you determine the composition, crop images, and identify colour values.
By following these steps and allowing yourself the time to plan, you can transform your ideas into meaningful and well-executed paintings.
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Exploring different media
Painting is a dynamic art form that has evolved over time, with artists using different media to express their creativity and communicate their ideas. Exploring different media allows artists to expand their artistic horizons and find new inspiration for their work.
Oils
Oil paints are slow-drying paints made with ground pigment suspended in a natural drying oil (a binder). Linseed oil is commonly used, but some paints use walnut oil, poppy seed oil, or other plant-based oils. Oil painting is a classic medium that has been used for centuries and is favoured by many artists due to its rich, vibrant colours and smooth finish.
Acrylics
Acrylic paints are widely favoured by beginners as they are easy to use and do not require any special supplies. They are also fast-drying, making them convenient for artists who want to work quickly and layer their paintings. Acrylics can be used on a variety of surfaces, including canvas, paper, wood, and walls.
Watercolours
Watercolours are a classic medium that can create soft, delicate washes of colour and subtle gradients. They are typically used on paper, but can also be used on canvas or other absorbent surfaces. Watercolours are known for their transparency and ability to create luminous, glowing effects.
Tempera
Tempera is a type of paint made from egg yolk and water. It dries quickly, making it unique from oils and acrylics. Tempera paintings have a matte finish and a unique, chalky texture. This medium was commonly used in medieval and Renaissance art.
Mixed Media
Mixed media art involves combining different materials and techniques to create a single work of art. Artists can experiment with a range of tools and materials, including paint, collage, drawing, sculpture, textiles, and digital art techniques. Mixed media allows for endless creative possibilities and is a powerful way for artists to express their unique style and vision.
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Understanding colour theory
While there is no standard learning path that everyone must follow to master painting, colour theory is one of the most fundamental areas of painting and should not be ignored. It is about more than just knowing how to mix colours together, such as yellow and blue make green. Understanding colour theory is about understanding the relationship between colours and how we perceive them.
The colour wheel is the most common depiction of the basics of colour theory. It is an organised illustration of primary, secondary, and tertiary colours. Primary colours include yellow, blue, and red, and they cannot be created by mixing other colours. Instead, they combine to create secondary colours, which then combine to form tertiary colours. Secondary colours include orange, purple, and green, derived from mixing equal amounts of two primary colours.
The painters' colour triangle is another way of depicting colour relationships, with one primary colour at each corner and their secondary and tertiary colours in between. The triangle puts more emphasis on the primary colours and makes it easier to see the combinations between them due to its three-sided shape.
Saturation is another important element of colour. It will always have an impact on the overall colour combination. A colour with low saturation will generally have less impact than a colour with high saturation.
As an intermediate painter, you can move past the subjects of beginner painting classes, such as flowers and sunsets, and start painting things you like. You can follow painters you know, like, and respect on social media and other channels to see the painting techniques that can take your intermediate skills to the next level.
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Using a viewfinder
There are two main types of viewfinders: window and L-shaped. Window viewfinders are usually square or rectangular and are better for standard-size canvases. L-shaped viewfinders are made from two L-shaped pieces of cardboard, matboard, or paper that are placed together to create a frame. The length of the arms of the L-shape can be any size, but a width of about two inches works well to crop out unwanted areas. You can also experiment with creating interesting shapes for your viewfinder.
To use a viewfinder, hold it up to your eye or at arm's length and look through it to determine the scene you wish to paint. You will need to close one eye to avoid double vision. Move the viewfinder around until you find a precise spot that makes an eye-catching centre of interest. You can then attach the viewfinder to your canvas using low-adhesive tape to sketch out the composition. Over time, your "mind's eye" will become adept at ignoring extraneous elements, allowing you to visualize compositions without any assistance.
Viewfinders can also be used to check the value of a colour. For example, the ViewCatcher viewfinder is 50% grey on the value scale, which makes it easy to compare the relative darkness or lightness of a colour. You can also use the viewfinder to determine the saturation of a colour by comparing the amount of colour you see to the grey of the viewfinder.
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Practising regularly
Firstly, it is important to plan your painting in advance. This means thinking about the composition, or layout, of your painting, which is essential to creating a professional-looking piece. You can use a viewfinder to help you determine the composition, crop images, and identify colour values.
Secondly, try to work on a variety of different subjects, rather than just painting the same thing repeatedly. This will help you to develop a range of skills and avoid getting stuck in a rut. For example, you could try painting landscapes, cityscapes, or portraits.
Thirdly, experiment with different media, such as oils, tempera, or watercolours, and don't be afraid to try more advanced techniques like impasto or scumbling. By challenging yourself and stepping outside your comfort zone, you will continue to develop as an artist.
Finally, make sure you are always analysing your work and identifying areas for improvement. Step back from your painting and review it regularly to ensure you are staying true to your original vision. This will help you to identify any mistakes and learn from them, rather than simply repeating them.
Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and to embrace the unique journey of learning and developing your artistic skills.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take an intermediate painting class without taking an introductory class. However, it is important to understand that intermediate painters are expected to have a grasp of the fundamentals of painting and are working on mastering everything.
A beginner painter is focused on capturing the likeness of their subject and will usually start with the main object, painting the outlines and ignoring the background and shadows. An intermediate painter, on the other hand, has progressed beyond this stage and is working on mastering the various aspects of painting, such as composition, colour, brushwork, and different media.
As an intermediate painter, it is important to plan the basic features of your painting in advance and to invest in tools such as a viewfinder to help with composition and colour values. Additionally, try experimenting with different media such as oils, tempera, and pastels, and follow painters you admire on social media to learn from their techniques.
As an intermediate painter, it is beneficial to have a variety of brushes in different sizes and shapes to create a range of effects. For oil painters, the Michael Harding Introductory Kit is a good option, as it offers a selection of colours and allows for easy colour mixing and blending.
There are numerous online resources available for intermediate painters, including free tutorials on YouTube and other websites. Additionally, some artists offer online courses or share their tips and techniques through social media or their websites, such as Irene Duma's oil painting course for beginners and her free Facebook group, "Irene Duma Teaches Art".
