any painters here?

[BreakfastSurreal]

I know leland does...does anyone else? I used to take painting classes when i was younger and remember how fun it was, and I want to get back into it. Only thing is...I really don't know what all to buy. When I went to my art lessons they had all the stuff there and I just used paints they had there and their brushes...all I had to do was bring my own canvas every week. For christmas I think I am going to ask for some art supplies, about $200 worth I think. For anyone who paints, what do you think the best/most cost effective medium is, I really like using acrylics, but I am open to whatever because nothing is going to be perfect now I just need to practice a bunch first before I get the expensive stuff. I would like some nice brushes... so make me a list! What all do I need? I'm sure I'd forget something important if I went to an art supply store and bought stuff. Thanks guys!

 

[andcuriouser]

I personally prefer oil or watercolours to acrylics, but both are somewhat difficult mediums to work with if you're unsure of what you're doing.

If you enjoy acrylics, definitely work with them, because you'll be comfortable using them and making marks on paper. They're also cheaper, so feel free to make mistakes with them. It's important to make mistakes before you make something beautiful.

Also, other than painting, I really would reccommend getting a decent pencil set and a set of erasers (you can usually buy packages that contain a white vinyl eraser, and also a moldable one). Get really comfortable sketching before painting.

With art, like most things, it's good to get the basics down before moving up.

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

yeah. I remember that I knew what I was doing. But I have forgotten most of it. So I'm sure I can pick it back up fairly quickly after watching an instructional video or even reading a book about it. My cousin and i started painting at the same time...we took classes together...and he is now sooooo good at it. I wish I could paint like him someday..although landscapes aren't really my thing, I'm more into abstract painting, and still life type things. And hey, I always wondered what the point of the moldable erasers were...enlighten me. All I remember about those are that they used to come in the box with the charcoal pencils I'd buy and that they were good for smearing...but is that what they are supposed to really be used for? I mean what's the point of them being moldable? here is my cousins website, you'll probably think his paintings are boring, but they are really good Clinton's Paintings

 

[andcuriouser]

Moldable erasers=beautiful things.

Since you can mold them into thin points to erase, they're good for detail work.
Since you can control the pressure a lot better (even just pressing down with it), they're good for shading and smearing.
I use them mainly for detail work when I'm sketching.

I prefer to work with soft pencils, so they work wonders on erasing without making it look messy.

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

I'm not that great at drawing...I can get shapes and outlines together, but detailed drawing is not my thing. I'm much better at color, if that makes sense...like I have a really good eye for blending and using just the right colors to shade things to make them look more realistic. But with practice I can get better at anything. Maybe I should start some sketches before I go out and buy $200 worth of stuff. Can you help me with brushes too? Are there any brands that put out like a good starter pack of brushes? I<3 you le, thanks for all your help

 

[elluko]

I can finger paint! I could show you my mad kindergarden skillz.

 

[Darkstar]

I can finger paint! I could show you my mad kindergarden skillz.

Haha!

Clare that is awesome that you are taking an art class. You're gonna have to post some of your work here!

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

no im not taking one...I used to take them when I was little. I just want to have fun with it right now...but who knows, I might get into a class. I enjoy painting with Bob Ross on TV "Happy little trees, right under the happy little clouds we painted up in that blue blue sky"

 

[Veronica]

I love painting, im just no good. Its a good artistic release for me. too bad that i dont have any stuff anymore. lol

 

[Darkstar]

no im not taking one...I used to take them when I was little. I just want to have fun with it right now...but who knows, I might get into a class. I enjoy painting with Bob Ross on TV "Happy little trees, right under the happy little clouds we painted up in that blue blue sky"

Hahahaha!:tongue:

 

[andcuriouser]

Brushes? It all depends on what you're using.

When I was in art school, I was so picky that I ended up sometimes paying about $8.00 for one brush, or on one memorable occasion, about $42.00 for a single brush (I still have the brush, in good condition). There is no way you'll need to pay that much. :tongue:

For acrylic: I would probably reccommend synthetic brushes. They're generally cheaper, and less likely to leave hairs all in your paint. Also, they won't leave brush strokes in your paint, which is a plus.

For oil: I use stiff hair brushes, generally. There isn't really a giant difference between the cheaper ones and the more expensive. The expensive ones just tend to last longer.

For watercolour: Sable brushes, for sure. Cheap ones at first, I'd say. You don't want to spend $42.00 on a brush you'll be unsure of how to use properly.

I wouldn't really reccommend a particular brand, especially when you're just beginning. Try out a few different ones and see what you like. In art school, I really favoured hair brushes (generally, those do run more expensive), and my friend really preferred synthetic (not as hard to clean). It just all comes down to what you feel comfortable making marks with.

 

[GuesSAngel]

I mostly like to sketch. I don't know how to paint and refuse to ruin my sketches. I'm really not good at combining colors. So it's all black and white for me.

 

[elluko]

I detest painting... Im only good at sketching.