Hi, I have never taken any actual art classes of any kind and I literally can't draw to save my life. Well I can but it is totally abstract. Anyway I want to paint so bad and I love too but all I can do it paint shapes and different colors. How do I get started? What can I do to move past just putting colors on a canvas? I know these are probably just stupid questions but painting makes me feel good and alive. I just wished that I could actually have something to show for it. Thanks! j Added: Also I see what I want to paint in my head but how do I get that on the canvas????
Start anywhere. Drawing or painting is a skill like any other, and the more you do it, the better you get. I don't know what kind of stuff you want to paint, but you might start with a still life or something like that. Try to paint what you see. At first, you may not like the results, but just keep doing it.
Try combining shapes and colors, try abstract art or minimalist art. If you want to learn to paint specific things, then try drawing and painting what you see, as therefore suggested. If you just want to paint and make art, the do what feels right =P I'm not much of a painter, but one rule that applies to all of the arts, Practice makes Perfect!
start with a sketch on paper and maybe write what colors you can see in your head down on the paper. With paint you can layer colors to make effects. You can also use different materials to put the color on the canvas to make it intresting. At first Id say just play with your colors and brushes a lot to get a feel for what each thing does...that way when you wnt to make a piece you'llknow better what your materials do and can start with the right things.I like to keep the thought that there are no mistakes in art....anything can be made into something. Don't be hard on yourself...just flow. With paint its easier to darken up rather then lighten up so start light and work dark...with drawing do the darkest things first...this sets your way for shading. With painting youll probably want to know where the light is comiong from in your picture so you can imagine where your lighter colors and shadows will go.
Practice. That is the key! I took art at school and continued to take art at college and the key is practice. You need to get the basics down first, so I'd suggest going to a good bookshop and finding a book that explains how to draw different things like faces in different expressions, hands, feet, noses, eyes etc, as well as animals and things like flowers. There are some great books out there and if you start by copying some of their detailed examples, it will help you. Once you've practised for a long time and feel comfortable with your skills, thats when I'd suggest finding your own style. There's no 'right' way to do it, just get some decent paper, some good materials, and get started!
Thank you for the advice! I know that practice makes you skilled so I will keep trying. I don't want perfect art work but I will keep on with it! THANKS!!!!!!
