Explore Painting and Master it Like Monet
The fine art of painting has been around for centuries. Learn about
the different types and styles of painting such as alkyds, acrylic,
gouache, oil, watercolor, Trompe L'Oeil, and decorative painting
from this collection of how to
resources.
Begin by exploring general painting resources below,
or choose another painting topic from the related category menu.
All
resources offer free learning through tips and techniques, patterns,
projects, online classes, or other how to information.
Featured Articles
Tips
on Breaking the Creative Block in Your Painting Projects
By Mary Baker
What do you do when you experience creativity block in your painting projects?
Professional contemporary realist painter Mary Baker shares some useful un-blocking
tips.
One Thing You
Must Have to Complete a Successful Painting
By Stephen Blackburn
What is the one thing you must have to complete a successful
painting? Without this, you will muddle along with your work
and probably never paint anything that will make you proud.
General Painting Resources
The
Art Window
Fully-illustrated educational and instructional information from the Art Window
on the color wheel, color classifications, and painting practices. Includes topics
on value, tints, shades, and color neutralization.
Paint
Brush Basics
Michaels Artist’s Studio Education helps you learn about various brush
types, materials, shapes and sizes, recommended paint type and benefits of each
so you can choose the best brush for your watercolor, oil, or acrylic based projects.
Also features a glossary of terms and brush care information to make your brushes
last.
About.com Painting
"How-to articles, practical tips, projects, and inspiration." A solid
painting resource and community featuring instructional articles, forums, newsletter,
and chat. Topics include: essential know-how, acrylics, oil, watercolors, pastels,
stencils, decorative art, fabric painting, face painting, figures / portraits,
abstract art, landscapes, composition, and color theory.
Art Lessons by John Hagen
"Basic painting and drawing principles and techniques from the Renaissance
to the present." Covers perspective, color, light and shade, texture design,
and analysis.
Spotlight
A Window to Exploring Color and Painting
The Art Window offers many selections to study and experience
in seven different categories: Drawing, Painting, Graphics, Word Art, 3D, Foundations
and Mixed Media. Come and take your pick!
I'd like to tell you about the work presented on the Web site, and give you
an example offered for extra credit for beginning classes. Let's paint first!
Do
you like COLOR?
We are very familiar with primary colors: red, yellow and blue, and I'd wager
most students know and paint the circular color wheel. Here's a way to mix
the primary, secondary and intermediate hues a bit differently.
Take two 4½" x 6" papers and fold them in half. Draw an interesting "in
and out" shape on each from the fold and cut them out. Trace around and
alternate each shape 3 times, making them overlap each other forming smaller
shapes inside. Paint the primaries first to space them correctly, then mix
up the rest as needed.
 Here's
another alternative. Cut out a 6-letter word — your name, an object,
sport, etc. Overlap the letters in the same fashion as above, and enjoy the
mixes!
For a more detailed explanation on the Art Window, please see Color. This
is presented in a more traditional way for beginners, but has a slightly different
addition to it. Give it a try!
Now, about the Art Window. The photos on the site are examples made by high
school students and are the teaching displays. Students are just like us — some
very experienced, some with a little art background. Most in the beginning
classes had none at all... and many could not speak English.
I feel that is one of the greatest assets of this Web site — to offer
to all interested in the doing of art that being born with "talent" is
not the only criteria for being creative. These students really applied themselves,
learned from others, studied visual examples and jumped right in to class assignments.
Success is not really found in just a "grade", but in satisfying
that personal inner self that knows good things happen in the whole experience.
Their work hopefully will encourage those who never benefited from art classes
to go ahead and "do their thing". Experience is a vital key here,
so keep it up!
You will see work from advanced students too, many who go on to prepare portfolios
for college study.
May your visit to the Art Window be very enjoyable.
Visit The Art Window
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