Artsand Crafts Articles
When Painting Pictures In Oils, What Is Essential? Painting is a very attractive pastime -- even employment. It is quitesatisfying and gives enormous pleasure. Even the initial attraction can be very great, so great that we give in to the temptation to “jump straight in” and get started right away. Why not? Well, we can,but that would be a mistake. There are two really important precursors that we should see to first. And, in fact, both can be very enjoyable themselves: sketching and understanding colour. Sketching Painting a picture means painting shapesof one kind or another. So we need to considerwhere these shapes are going to come from. Unless we are happy buying a colouring book, they can only come from one’s self. Hence, before we can paint we need to be able to draw. Some people throw the possibility of the whole process into the rubbish bin by saying “I can’t even draw a straight line”. Freehand, it is extremely difficult even for a professionalartist to draw a straight line -- but there is always a rule that can be used! On the other hand, most pictures do not require one to draw straight lines, so this is a lame excuse for not progressing. Most people can draw to some degree, but certainly some learningwill always be necessary to progress to a better level. This probably means either attending art classes or buying a book. If thefirst is an option and we have both the timeand money, no more need be said. If we don’t have one or both,buying an instruction book is potentially veryattractive. Selecting Books The market is full of “how to draw” books, although some are better than others.Buying from somewhere like Amazon is often useful because there are frequently assessments from previous readers. But wherever you buy from, don’t be tempted to start with specialised books like “How To Draw Water”or “…Trees”, or”…People”, etc. Buy a general one, for two reasons. First, you will get a reasonably comprehensive introduction across a wide range of topics and images. Secondly, you will find out you are better at drawing some things than others. The “other” must not be ignored, but the information about your self is important. So which general introductory book? You can pay from next to nothing to a considerable price. But what you want is something appropriate.You would not begin studying, say, economics by enrolling on a degree course. So you need something atan introductory level. Even so, you tend to “get what you pay for”, so it pays to shoparound a little first. Buying off the Internetcan bring some real bargains, but do look at readers ratings first. Alternatively, buying from an actual shop may cost more, but it does give you the chance to look inside the book to make your own assessment. One bookI would be prepared to recommend can be purchased in either way. This is “Drawing With The Right Side On The Brain” by Betty Edwards. You could go a long way before getting a better starter. Other Equipment Apart from the book or tuition, it costs little to get goingin drawing. You will need a drawing pad, or a couple of different sizes, one being small enough to take out with you for drawing on the spot whenever you see something of interest. Then you will need some pencils. These are usually graded according to hardness or softness. An “HB” is a middle value, a “B” softer, a “2B” softer still. etc, while an “H” is harder than “HB” and “2H” even harder, etc. The stuff that makes marks on the paper can be lead, or graphite or charcoal. They all have their own advantages and disadvantages depending what and how you are drawing. Try one of each. In many cases you will need to sketch out thesubject matter first, though in some case this may not be necessary.