Canvas Painting For Beginners – A Calm Journey

A creativemind has surely sought refuge into the artistic realm, in the graphic expression of drawing, sketching, painting, an escape into an unlimited realm in which one ought to find calm, peace, refuge. Painting compared to drawing and coloring is an act that inspires more serenity, a constant linear expression of calm and inner focus that can help the individual channel its needs on a simple canvas.
Take note that the canvas painting practice does not require a fortune to embrace and the benefits are greatly outrunning the costs of the act.

One could say that painting can replace a therapist.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Pablo Picasso

⦁ Canvas Painting Starting Kit

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To get start down the painting path simple are items required:

⦁ Acrylic Paint. No expensive paint is required to start with but the cheapest option is not recommended either. Your first contact with acrylic paint might make or break your relationship, if you find the colors bland, not powerful enough your artwork might be affected. It is recommended to start with a 4-6 color pallet of medium-high quality. You can use student-quality paint for your first pieces, ask your paint store to help you in this endeavor, you`re off to a great start.

⦁ A beginner would make great use of brushes in different shapes and sizes but spending a great amount of money on the first sets of brushes is not recommended by professionals. Brushes can be easily the most expensive item in the practice and before the individual finds out what he actually likes to use, through what brushes he might obtain results and through what means he succeeds it is recommended to purchase the least expensive sets.

⦁ Canvas primers. A pre-primed canvas is also entitled the artist’s godsend. Various paint primers like Gesso can be found at your local paint-craft store.

⦁ It is highly recommended to use water to rinse brushes when you switch colors on the brush, this might help you keep the tone true to their color.  A wise advice would also be to have one recipient with the sole destination of rinsing the brushes and another to keep the paints moist.

⦁ Having a rug of some sort at your grasp is recommended, disposable paper towels can also work. To correct mistakes these can be used; they`re also used to dab the paintbrushes after a good rinse.

⦁ The painting surface should be stable at all times but do not rush into making purchases that you`re not sure off. Before you start investing in painting make sure that painting is the hobby for you.

⦁ Canvas Preparations

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Most artists incline towards cloth surfaces over most other alternatives, purchasing canvases certainly doesn`t have to cost a fortune. A big advantage for cloth canvases is that the paint is readily absorbed thus providing a smooth, clean finish to your artwork.

Line-in canvases are a great medium to paint on but keep in mind that they`re a little bit pricey and for your first painting endeavors the cost is not justified. Make painting a pleasure not an expensive act that you can only practice with money in your pocket. Take your time and canvas by canvas you`ll learn how different canvases receive paint differently.

Now that you have all the supplies readily it is time to apply the primer, this should be applied a few days before you`re actually starting to paint; to prevent warping after drying it is recommended to wet the back of the canvas whilst you apply the primer. A colored tone can work as a less expensive alternative as well. Any earthy-tone would do your future artwork justice.

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⦁ Tricks for Painting Your First Canvas
A professional would recommend the usage of synthetic brushes for beginners as with professional brushes painting becomes expensive rapidly. Natural hair brushes require more experience as well as the paint sucks moisture out of the natural fiber causing them to rapidly wear and fall apart especially when a beginner wields them. Synthetic brushes can be abused far heavier and for acrylic painting they`re actually recommended.

When you work with acrylic paint keep in mind that this type of paint darkens one it`s dry, a common amateur mistake is to apply more paint in order to obtain darker hues while the canvas is still wet. A professional would recommend to apply one less stroke than you actually need to ensure everything looks like you`ve envisioned it once the ink is dry.
Take care of your brushes, do not abuse them even if they`re supposed to be resilient. Wash them after every painting session. If for some reason you aim to make a long pause between your sessions it is recommended to was them thoroughly and let them air-dry to avoid them becoming brittle.

The water pot too should be rinsed regularly. It might look like an unnecessary act in its early stages but if you neglect this simple steps you`ll seriously regret by the end of the session as the dirty water will alter the tones. In between sessions the water pot should be cleansed properly, no paint area being left behind.

All these ideas are simple yet in the long run they`re very efficient and sustainable for the canvas and the wallet alike. Spending unnecessary amounts of money is not a funny practice regardless of hobby nor is losing time. Painting for hours only to notice in the end that everything is darker than should be might ruin the whole relaxing effect that your mind gained through the process.

Have patience and enjoy the wonderful hobby of painting with an open mind. Painting will allow you to free your inner spirit and find calm in chaotic world if done properly. Art is a beautiful remedy to a restless spirit.

 What do you think? We would love to hear your opinion on the subject in the comment section below.

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