Tutorials
Painting Tutorials
WHICH GREEN IS RIGHT IN OILS
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 by Joan du Plessis
PAINTING SKIES IN PASTEL
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 by Joan du Plessis
PAINTING SKIES IN PASTEL.All landscape paintings have sky above and land beneath giving the horizon
THE ART OF DRAWING FOR BEGINNERS
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 by Joan du Plessis
THE ART OF DRAWING FOR BEGINNERS
To draw well requires not only constant practice on a daily basis but also using ones brain intelligently.
FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN
Tuesday, 01 September 2009 by Joan du Plessis
FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN IN WATERCOLOURS
For many inexperienced artists still on the threshold of learning to apply that inner desire to put paint onto paper, it can be daunting to make that first stroke onto that sheet of very white paper in front of them! Such thoughts as 'What if I make a mistake?' or 'What if the colour isn't right?' A feeling of doubt in ones abilities and a lowering of self confidence can set in..
Watercolour Primaries
Monday, 02 March 2009 by Joan
Many people who have a strong desire to paint start off buying many different colours which is not only confusing but also expensive and completely unnecessary! Only the paint manufacturers end up smiling!
Tip: Adding to an old oil painting
Monday, 02 February 2009 by Joan
If you fish out an incomplete oil painting and you have the desire to complete it, you may find the newly applied paint shrinks away like watercolour on oil. This can happen because paint absorbs oxygen from the air and gets hard and this causes the paint to change on the painting.Tip: Reinforce those watercolour paint Tubes!
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
The necks of paint tubes tend to weaken with use as most of you will have experienced. It can be very frustrating to get down to a painting session and battle to get started because you can’t get the lid off!Tip: Funky Pencil Holder
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
An old distributor cap makes an excellent pencil holder especially if using coloured pencils as the different shades are easily seen for selection and leaves your hands free to use for the pad and the pencil in use. They have 5 or 7 recessed holes which is probably an adequate selection at one time.
Tip: Attachable Brush Holder
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
If using a pochade type paint box, take a soup can and make a clip from steel plumber’s tape! Fasten this to the can with a small nut and bolt. Make a notch in the rim of the paint box on the right side (if right-handed) to hold the plumber’s tape so it holds the can firmly and does not slip. You can make a pouring lip on the can on the opposite side if you wish using needle point pliers. If using thinners for oil paint just pour this into a small bottle at the end of your painting session so it can settle and is ready to re-use next time!
Tip: Travel lightly with your paints
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
In some areas one can buy an all in one weekly pill organizer which has 7 small containers each with its own snaptight lids. This is ideal for taking small quantities of paint on a short trip.
Tip: Don't smudge pastel drawings
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
Protect your pastel work whilst you work!
Cut a dowel rod fitted at each end with a ball or even just a small block.
Rest your wrist on the rod to prevent smudging your pastel work.
Understanding Tone in Painting
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
Using a soft pencil draw two strips made up of ten squares approximately ½” in size. In the first, starting one end, colour in the first square very lightly in pencil.
Tip: Keep Your Brushes Clean At All Times
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
Excess colour should be wiped off on a cloth or kitchen paper. Rinse water colour brushes in tepid water with a little household soap then rinse thoroughly again under the tap.
Oil paint brushes must be cleaned with a solvent first before washing with warm water and soap thoroughly. Rinse well and stand in a container to dry after smoothing the bristles into place whilst wet.
Tip: Hang Up Those Paint Brushes!
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
Here is a neat and tidy way to store your brushes on the wall instead of standing them in a container on a table which uses up space you may be short of!
Tip: Hanging Your Pastels
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
This is a simple procedure and ideal if you have limited space and wish to display your pictures without risk of damage.Take a metal skirt/slacks hanger and a peg board. Hang your picture with small clips or tight clothes pegs to the metal bar. Attach any info, if necessary, written on a ticket and hang that from the part below the hook, for example sale price or customer’s name, the date etc. You can have a row of these if wanted and it makes your art room tidier and the pictures are easily viewed!
Useful tip for Enlarging Your Brush Handles
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan du Plessis
When using small brushes, the tiny handles are sometimes rather difficult to grip. Try this trick to solve the problem and give you a firmer hold.
Painting Dynamic Skies in Watercolour
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
Clouds are often a vital part of a landscape either as a complementary part of a beautiful landscape or even as the focal point. In the latter case the horizon should be painted two thirds down the page and the landscape painted in simple fashion. Never paint the horizon through the middle of the paper!
Learn to Loosen Up Your Painting
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
Painting in a loose way can bring inspiring works to the fore as they are usually unfussy but also depict the subject matter in a simple way which can be so appealing to the eye. For example a tree does not have to have every branch and leaf painted to make a good painting!
Good Drawings lead to Good Paintings
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
Light and shade in the correct variance can make a very good painting from a well drawn sketch that has had thought and planning behind it. As anyone who paints from Nature knows, the light changes usually more quickly than the time needed to finish the painting. It is a good idea to make quick sketches of the viewpoint and mark in the shadow areas.
Further notes on using a Sketchbook!
Saturday, 10 January 2009 by Joan
As a follow on from the previous article on ‘Keeping a Sketchbook’ here are some ideas on working from your sketches!
To capture the moment with a few lines done rapidly takes practice but can be invaluable to producing a good painting even if you do not use much from the sketches in the final work.
If you are using the handy spiral bound pads which fold back on themselves, remember they can also be used opened out flat using both sides of the spiral wire for one sketch. 4B-8B pencils are ideal as they give bold lines and can denote dark areas well.
Tips for Artists
Friday, 09 January 2009 by Joan
1. A good painting can be spoilt by overworking it. Try to teach yourself when to stop working on it! With watercolour, practice by using a large brush from the start and keep it loose and free. Just use the smaller brush for the details and then stand back and admire your work!
2. Never paint acrylic over oil paint however, the other way round is fine! Then it is best to put the acrylic paint away as they can get mixed up!
3. When painting outside, the wind can cause havoc with your paper making it flap around. Try putting a rubber band around the bottom of your pad. This can work well and is less damaging than a paper clip.
4. Painting Outdoors? Take the minimum of equipment with you. For your comfort, a donkey stool or fisherman’s chair with pockets is one of the best seats, light and fairly easy to carry. Take two bulldog clips and attach either side of your board and support with thin rope attached and looped around your neck to give you the right angle from which to work.
Learning your colours in watercolour
Friday, 09 January 2009 by Joan
In the early days of painting it is often difficult to tell the difference between some of the colours that are similar especially the darker ones like the blues such as ultramarine and Winsor Blue. Take a permanent marker and write the name of each on the side of the well where you have put the paint. This way you can see at a glance which one to dip your brush into!
2 IN 1 BRUSH CONTAINER!
Friday, 09 January 2009 by Joan
When going to paint outdoors here is a simple brush container idea for you to consider. This is multipurpose as it also means you have your tissue roll handy and it all fits upright in your bag.
Take a partly used kitchen paper roll and close off the one end with an old lid that fits or a piece of cardboard glued on. Place your brushes inside and put this into your bag upright. Your brushes are kept protected, easy for selection and paper towels handy for cleaning up!
Basic Preparation for Painting
Saturday, 22 November 2008 by Joan
A Sketchbook is a handy tool!
Sketching regularly will improve your drawing skills and exercises the art of observation. Skill in drawing is essential in expressing what you see and helping to plan your paintings.
It is useful to record reference material to use later when you are ready to start your painting maybe later in your studio.