Color Wheel: Getting to Know Color Theory

color wheel

Key Takeaways I have noticed that one of the most difficult things for beginner painters is mixing colors. This was a problem for me as well, and at times, it still is. The trick is to get very familiar with the color wheel. Artists figure out the ideal color combinations by using color theory, which …

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5 Easy Acrylic Painting Ideas for Beginners on Canvas

acrylic painting ideas

Key Takeaways When beginners ask me which type of paint they should start with, I generally suggest acrylics. Acrylic paints are inexpensive, and they are relatively easy to work with. The only drawback I find to using acrylics is the fact that they dry quickly. While this can be a good thing, it can make …

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What Is Alkyd Paint? The Pros and Cons

alkyd paint

Key Takeaways Most people have heard of oil paints, acrylic paints, and watercolor paints. But, have you ever heard of alkyd paints? These are just like regular oil paints, with one big difference: they contain alkyd resin, a hardening agent that dries quickly. This means a painting created with alkyds will look like an oil …

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How to Make Acrylic Paint: A DIY Guide

diy acrylic paint

Key Takeaways Did you know that you can make acrylic artist paint yourself? This is such a fun project and one that I am considering teaching to my paint and sip students. Making acrylic paint is easy as long as you have the right materials. It isn’t going to cost a lot of money, and …

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What Are Acrylic Paint Pens and How to Use

acrylic paint markers

Key Takeaways Have you ever thought about using acrylic paint pens for your artwork? I have recently started using them and I think they are ideal for certain purposes. Paint pens are a great substitute for using a fine liner brush and they can be used for doing detail work. Using acrylic paint pens is …

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How to Clean Oil Paintings Correctly

clean oil paintings

Key Takeaways You can take all of the necessary steps to protect your oil paintings, but they are still going to need to be cleaned once in a while. The question is, how do you clean an oil painting? If you have a painting that is valuable or holds sentimental value, you might want to …

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How to Flatten Watercolor Paper After Painting

flatten watercolor paper

Key Takeaways If you are new to the world of watercolor painting, you may be wondering how to flatten the paper once you have finished painting. I have found that no matter how much or little water you use, the paper is going to warp and buckle a bit (sometimes a lot). It is pretty …

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What Is Gesso and How to Use It?

gesso

Key Takeaways Before you can do an acrylic or oil painting, the surface of the canvas needs to be primed with gesso. You can either apply gesso yourself or purchase canvases that have been pre-primed. What Is Gesso? Gesso is a type of primer used in painting to prepare surfaces such as canvas, wood, or …

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8 Easy Oil Painting Ideas for Beginners

oil painting ideas

Key Takeaways When many people first start painting with oils, they don’t know what they should paint. They may feel that some types of paintings are well beyond their skill levels. All kinds of easy oil paintings are perfect for beginners. We are going to take a look at some of my favorite types of …

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