Beginner in painting?
I am new to painting, in fact I have never lifted a paint brush in my life. I think its a right time to start painting and get aquainted with colors. I want to paint tiles sometime in future and I want to prepare myself for it. I have been doing some reading on the subject and know that tiles are painted in acrylics. I dont want to sketch and paint the tile but rather hand-paint each tile.
I have few questions to ask before I buy painting supplies and etc.
1. To eventually paint in acrylics can I start with acrylic painting or watercolors.
2. To practice with brush strokes I dont want to buy boards and cardbords (expensive). Is there a paper pad which I could start with.
3. Can you recommend colors, brushes and brand for a new painter (i am careful so I dont end up buying anything expensive since its a test drive)
Painting classes in my area are very expensive so thats not an option. Should I know anything else before I start.
Thanks a lot.
Welcome to the wonderful world of art. It's a great friend.
As acrylics are water-based, get yourself some acrylic paints. Most manufacturers make two grades, student quality and artists quality. Start with student quality from makers such as Winsor & Newton, Daler-Rowney or Liquitex.
Get some round brushes in a few different sizes. I use brushes numbered from 0 to 10, I honestly don't believe there is any need for bigger brushes. Get yourself a rigger for fine lines.
To practice on, can you get some empty cardboard boxes from your local foodstore? With a craft knife, cut the sides off to make rectangles of various sizes. This is fine providing you don't mix too much water with your paint. Even better would be some plywood, chipboard or MDF offcuts from your local hardware supplier. Your tile shop will give you some discontinued plain tiles also.
Buy either a box of 12 colours or if you buy singly, I suggest Mars Black, Titanium White, Cerulean or Cobalt Blue, Cadmium Tellow and Alizarin Crimson. By mixing those, you can make almost any colour. Practice your mixing, that's what it's all about.
You can paint directly from the tube or else mix some water or impasto gel for thickness. Squeeze out only tiny amounts, it goes a long way.
One last thing. No need to buy a palette. I use a glossy magazine. When one page is too full and dirty, just fold it over and it will stick to the last one. One could last you for months!
P.S: Stony says below that Series #1 are lowest quality. This is not true. Series #1 are cheaper to manufacture than other series because of the pigments and other materials used. They are not of lesser quality.
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