Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 77
October 8, 2022
Art Unboxed To New Acrylic Artists
I thought on this Art Unboxed I would write to those who want to start painting in acrylics. When I started I had no experience with them, and while I’m no Rembrandt, I have learned a few important things. First, choose the right paints, they don’t have to be expensive, but there are certain qualities you need.
Being frugal, I tried to use the very thin craft paints, which are wonderful for something besides painting on canvas. I thought because they said acrylic, they were what I needed when they weren’t. You need paints which will not run, that will allow you to do layering.
It’s not necessary to spend a large amount on paints. The store brand acrylics that are designed for painting on canvas are a good starting point. Its also not necessary to buy a large set. A beginning set is a great way of beginning.
More experienced artists will tell you buy red, blue, and yellow and mix everything from them, but I disagree. It’s a wonderful method of learning color, tone, and value, but I believe that is more for the intermediate artists. I would have been discouraged almost to the point of giving up if I had been told this. For a new artist, part of the excitement of painting is experimenting with all the colors.
The most important suggestion I could make for new painters, is an underpainting. I did not know most artists cover the canvas before they cover the canvas. This isn’t just to get rid of the white, it’s to influence the entire painting. A red underpainting will affect a sky differently than a yellow underpainting.
Some underpaintings are better for certain landscapes and portraits than others. The tones of the subject, whether a scene or a face, will dictate what color will work best as an underpainting. The proper color underneath your final painting will improve your painting considerably.
Regarding brushes, I would recommend that wash out your brushes thoroughly in water when you’re finished painting. I say this with the suspicion you may not. I am still guilty of not washing them out as well as I wish I had.
Also regarding brushes, I would suggest the long stemmed brushes for acrylics. The farther back you are from the painting, the more you can see the overall painting without fixating on one detail. It will also encourage you to take breaks and step back, which will help you to catch things you may otherwise miss.
Another important tool is to get a good palette knife. While I don’t paint in his style, I have found that the Bob Ross palette knife is the best out there. I would also like to say I love Bob Ross, I have learned so much watching him. He encouraged so many of us to paint, and while methods differ, the enjoyment he had for painting was definitely contagious to me.
I mention Bob Ross because whether it’s him or another artist, you’ve seen someone paint. Please don’t be disappointed when your first few paintings look different than theirs. You may have seen them paint one painting, but before the one you saw, they’ve painted hundreds at least.
I would suggest painting at least one hundred paintings before you are overly concerned about your progress. This develops your experience with the materials, composition, draftsmanship, tone, and color. Think of them as breaking in a new pair of shoes. You have to walk a few miles for them to be enjoyable to walk in, the same is true of painting.
If you’re considering painting I hope these tips have helped. If you hadn’t considered it, I hope it may cause you too. Finally if you’ve been painting awhile, I would suggest maintaining the mindset of a student.
The freedom of knowing there is more to know takes the pressure off when we hit an obstacle. It will spark creativity, a hunger to learn more, new paintings, and a better artist. I’m so glad I overcame my intimidation to try painting, and I unboxed my first set of acrylic paints.
October 7, 2022
October 6, 2022
October 5, 2022
Beyond Kittyhawk
We think of them as the first aviators in a powered aircraft, but on this date in 1905, the Wright Brothers set a new world record flight of 24 miles in 39 minutes. Two years after making history, they set a new world record. It’s a reminder not to stop dreaming beyond where you’ve been.
Most of us would have been content to be in the history books, but they continued to strive for more. They would go on to silence critics across the globe, and inspire future flyers. May we not settle for one Kittyhawk moment, but continue to fly beyond our greatest success.
