I want to paint, but How do I get started?
Here are 3 Simple steps:
Pick up a brush. Load it with paint. Begin.
That may sound over simplified. But trust me. It isn’t. There are no rules. There are no art police who will come to arrest you for making a mistake or doing something wrong. In fact, you don’t have to show ANYONE your art. Let me share 3 Super simple, actionable steps.
First, why not pick up a simple watercolor set at your local hobby store. Most stores will have an entry level set to get you started. For example, the Artist’s Loft brand at Micheals for $5. Are they professional grade? Of course not. But they really will do the job if you think that budget stands in your way of getting started.
Number 2: Grab a pad of watercolor paper while you are there. A smaller size is less intimidating. (a really large piece of blank paper can be overwhelming) The art pads will say in big letters on the front cover what they are made for such as “watercolor” or “mixed media” etc. It’s best to use watercolor paper because it is thick and won’t buckle when wet.
Third: Sit down with a small glass of water, a few paper towels and begin.
Really. If you don’t know where to start, begin in one corner and continue adding paint until you’ve filled the page. There is a terrific book by Barbara Diane Barry called, you guessed it: “Painting Your Way Out of a Corner”. She walks you through “spontaneous painting”. Just making it up as you go. But let me tell you. This is a wonderful way to get started. Just enjoy putting the colors on the paper. Painting like this, at least for a little while, allows you to experiment with colors, shapes, techniques of loading the brush, just getting acquainted with the tools and medium. (And creating a new habit) No rules. No expectations. Just relaxing and being free to create. Try it. You might get hooked.
Artful-Essence 