Category: Painting tips

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How to create better art with less effort

Watercolor sketch

Everything requires effort

Is it even possible to create great art with little effort? Yes, and no. The most important part is probably wasting less time and materials. We need a plan to achieve that. A good plan for creation of a painting means a sketching, drawing or a value sketch. In my personal experience, it is pencil, pen and watercolor sketch which is the best preparation stage for a painting.

Not only result matters

When somebody wants to apply for classes I am usually told this: “I’d really like to paint”. Something like that. Points to some landscape or floral, or still life. Basically, everybody is interested in the result and not that much in the path which led me to it. I spend a lot of time practicing and exploring the subject from different perspectives.

Exploring art supplies

If you are one of those artists-to-be who jumped straight to brushes and did not take your time to explore the elements of an artwork, I can understand you. People usually think watercolor and sketching is for watercolor artists, who mask out white spots or those who get ideal washes just by swinging around the brush with some paint on it. However, there is a missing link between the idea of our art and it’s draft.

Seeing subject artistically

The real life shows that any potential artist and anybody, who does art as hobby, would have gotten much better paintings sooner if they considered sketching as an important step. That refers to painting with any medium: watercolor, pastel, acrylic or oil. The truth is, they all originate in one place: in our brain, through our eyes and senses. Therefore, we should exercise our visual abilities and our visual perception. I’m talking more about importance to learn seeing in my previous posts:

Attraction of drawing and Overcoming painting issues

Lack of values, proportions and contrast

The problem with not well developing painting is not only the technique of applying paint. That usually works fairly well after a few attempts. The problem most often is in our eyes: we do not perceive values, shapes, proportions and potential composition; therefore, we cannot come up with a neat plan to make painting elements work.

Watercolor sketch
This sketch became a large watercolor painting afterwards

Advantage of sketching

Sketch is done much faster than a painting. Sketching out objects or just values, putting them in a draft composition allows making a decision momentarily if that will or won’t work. Sketch isn’t the entire painting, but by doing it one learns much more about their subject. We find out that we need to look at it more carefully, more intensely, more accurately.

Watercolor sketch
Thin and thick black pen and watercolor for creation of perspective sketch, 1-point perspective
Watercolor sketch
Rough black pen and watercolor wash sketch to use as reference for larger acrylic painting

Skills are based on knowledge

I can compare creating art with writing. When people say “I don’t want to sketch and I don’t want to know anything about drawing”, it is like somebody who intends to write a novel would say “I don’t want to know anything about spelling and grammar. I just want to write a novel, so give me the idea and off we go”. The entertaining painting events also do a bad service: not only the entire idea does not allow anybody to really learn anything about creation of art, but the approach is just so wrong and materials are so bad that many people get a wrong idea.

Sketch results in painting
White birches, recent class demo, 20 x 24 inches, painting is sold

Art is more than moving paint around canvas

When somebody is just moving paint around the canvas in hopes that it miraculously will take the right shape and become the right color, I must say, it won’t. Painting is a summary of things we put in it. It is also the energy we put in it. Therefore, the sooner one learns about values, relationship between light and dark areas, values, softness or roughness of edges, proportion and compositional layout, the faster their paintings take shape and have volume. The missing link between our idea and its incorporation into artwork is the value sketch. Creating value sketch and color sketch is not a waste of time and paint.

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Want to create something beautiful? Start painting

Acrylic painting, Spring tulips, tulip painting

You always wanted to draw or paint, it’s time to start painting

Sometimes, this idea might seem too complex to pursue, but, in fact, all it takes is starting to draw or paint.  Simply get your art and – start painting. Learn as you go. You will need patience, courage, willingness to experiment and accept your mistakes. You should be ready also to put efforts, work and time into your learning process.  Nothing happens on its own and without actually doing it. Any drawing and painting starts with being able to see and use our senses. It does not start with knowledge of techniques and all kinds of tools and mediums. We acquire this knowledge gradually as we gain experience.

Experience and first issues

I have given countless classes and workshops over many years. It actually feels like I have been teaching arts all my life. It is obvious that all people, who would love to start painting or drawing, do not get past the first problems.  They give up this fantastic activity before they familiarize themselves with easy fixes. We can fix anything in painting or drawing along the way when it comes to creation. It sometimes only takes a few brushstrokes with dark or light color.

First we learn seeing

The important aspect of engaging in visual arts is the ability to see and to understand what one is looking for. Most people are sure that they have good enough eyesight and that they can see everything. That is not true at all. While we are seeing things around us, we are not seeing them in an artistic way because for drawing or painting we need to sometimes abstract the view or define the detail. I suppose the inability to perceive values, shapes, colors, lines and their relationship, as well as correct scale, depends on whether one is aware that these things exist.

Don’t trace, don’t copy

It’s not rare that artists simply copy an image or photo and then transfer this copy onto paper or canvas. Many artists do a lot of image editing with special software so that the image is ready to copy and to apply paint on it. That supposedly saves time and efforts and makes painting process easier. If you want to ever draw and paint without fear and with confidence and know why you are using a particular technique or step, go with freehand drawing and observation straight from the beginning. It will pay off in longer time, usually not in the first hour.

Drawing takes time

A complex drawing might take me between 30 minutes and 2-3 hours. When the drawing, value or tonal sketch is done, I have everything what I need to proceed to painting: values, contrast, highlights, composition and correct correct scale. I’m usually doing drawings in size of actual paintings as opposed to thumbnail sketches. I can do whatever I want with my sketch afterwards: use it for watercolor, pastel or acrylic and more. I can even flip it or use just some part for my next painting. I don’t need editing, adjusting, copying or enlarging. Therefore, if you want to be ever free from computers, screens, measuring devices, grids, start learning to see.

Pay attention to reference

I have noticed this many times: students do not see the reference photo or picture in an artistic way. They see a flower, a tree or fence, but that’s not the most important aspect. I am using frequently real objects: fruit, vegetables, flowers, flower pots, leaves, cups, bowls, glasses and similar things  for still life, and that can be a problem also. Until you start paying attention to shadows, values, correct size and scale, potential composition, contrast and layout, drawing doesn’t happen. Everybody can draw and paint anything as soon as they understand what they have to see in the subject.

Start painting, calla lilies

Draw any subject

There are countless tutorials. They usually show how to paint one single subject.  If you first learn to draw, meaning draw anything, you can choose any subject without limitations. You just need to know what is important about the subject and look for it. That means paying attention to things which other people don’t even know about.  Start with placing your subject in front of you and look at it. Look carefully at dark and light spots, visible lines and shadows, direction and size and notice how light makes a difference. Starting with very light and general outlines try to get the exact form. We go from very general shapes and lines and move towards details. Repeat until the drawing becomes three dimensional, not flat.

Start painting, spring tulips

My approach to creating acrylic flower paintings

I have elaborated a new approach to acrylic flower painting since many students want to learn painting with acrylic, but their results are quite often disappointing and don’t make them happy. We use the large-scale drawing, transfer it onto canvas and then follow with paint. This new approach uses the specific features of acrylic paints: short drying time, ability to work over dry layers; and turns them into the biggest advantage. Results are quite stunning. However:  results are great as long as one follows all steps and uses multiple layers of paint.

Start painting, value sketch
Value sketch of lilies, it might seem slightly blurry because the drawing is done in the actual size of lily painting on tracing paper. We carefully transfer this drawing onto canvas and use as our reference while painting.
Start painting, White Easter lilies
Easter lilies, acrylic painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in or 51 x 41 cm. I do not have images of process steps because I painted this lily during art classes. We transferred drawing onto canvas and after painting around the blossoms applied multiple layers of paint.

Everything matters

So far, I have given only live art classes because they make a lot of sense. Explanation and even watching somebody else painting do not always lead to good results. It matters how much water or how much paint, or what medium on what surface one uses. It matters how fast the previous steps are done and it matters how you move the brush and mix the paint. Everything matters, and we can correct mistakes right there  as they happen. It is great that somebody can explain why some things work and why some others don’t by doing it in the classroom.

Start painting, Red poppies
Acrylic is a fantastic medium for large and bold flowers. I recently demonstrated how to paint these poppies. This painting is 20 x 16 in or 51 x 41 cm, acrylic on canvas. I didn’t use any mediums, just canvas covered with medium dark color.

Group art classes

Private art classes

Original acrylic paintings

View my floral art collections here:

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Giving up is not a solution, acrylic painting tips

Tips for acrylic painting

I’d love to share some acrylic painting tips. I hope these painting tips allow to achieve more and paint better.

Giving up before seeing potential

I feel sad when some students discontinue classes just after one month. I can see the potential in attempts, but people with little experience in drawing and art usually don’t.  All it takes is usually adding a few dark and light spots, adjustment of edges and straightening out a few shapes. In fact, any acrylic painting can be whatever the artist expects it to be if we keep working on it and don’t stop prematurely.

If you know how to, you can improve anything

I’ve said that before: nobody becomes master within a few hours. Nobody. I also do not want students comparing their first attempts in art: this makes absolutely no sense. There was a reason artists used to cover up their art with a cloth and show it to nobody until the artwork was considered ready and finished. There are easy adjustments which can change the painted image to a great extent. We add tiny bit of sparkling light, sharp edge of very deep dark area, and everything improves.

Patience and ability to take risks

Patience and ability to take risks are two very necessary features for anybody who’d like to enjoy creating visual art. I have told this before: time-lapse demos make people believe that this is exactly the way one paints: one, two, three and here we go. In reality, we sometimes need to go over and over one spot for many times. With acrylic paint, there are no limitations of adding layers. We need to apply many layers to achieve volume and visually attractive effect.

Painting tips for acrylic painting
Once you know what principles are applied to creating a painting, just follow the steps and use layers and painting comes to life.

Applying color versus building it up

Smearing on paint in one color is not the same as building it up. I have quite often seen transparent trees and flat buildings, not to mention flowers without any volume. That means, there was no dark color blocked in underneath and the light color was used only in 2 tones. That cannot make a structure or subject look like it is having dimensions.

Think layers

Many people have difficulties thinking in layers: the most distant, underneath it all layer, the middle value layer, the defining layer and the highlighting and detailing layer. It is in the human nature to try getting it right away. I’ve observed how students sometimes start with details which should be implemented at the end. This approach is fairly essential in acrylic painting because we have to work from dark to light and from distant to close: that’s how the image evolves.

Painting tips, Garden, demo painting
Demo painting for garden landscape, basic layers

Keep the color on 

The other problematic issue is holding color on the spot we need it to be. We are practicing painting on a spot techniques. Quite often artist gets carried away and keeps blending and moving paint around until it results in everything being the same color. It is very important to learn using brush for painting on a spot which is like running on a spot: brush it on, but don’t move all around the canvas.

Brush must be clean

Finally, as I’m washing brushes after classes, I can immediately tell which brushes were used by me and which by students. My brushes are almost clean or have the last color in it. Students’ brushes are usually full of many colors, quite often dark colors which we applied at the beginning of the class. That means, the brush wasn’t cleaned during painting. That results in muddy and dirty colors which don’t shine and lack brilliance. We must clean our brushes frequently!

Tips for acrylic painting
We go layer by layer until the painting takes shape

Painting is easy and extremely rewarding

We must have patience and allow for some time to get where we want to be. It depends also on what our goal is. Any painting is nice and great if we do not expect it to become a top art just after a few classes or painting attempts. We can notice fear and indecisiveness in brush strokes which lack confidence. Therefore, taking risks and experimenting is very important, especially,  in visual art. We have to be persistent and even stubborn. I hope my painting tips help you!

Inspiration:

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Weekend painting tips to enjoy summer creativity

Early spring, acrylic painting by Inese Poga

Summer painting tips

Some painting tips, especially for beginners in acrylic painting can be always useful! Many people have time and opportunity to do something about their creative intentions during the summer vacation. I will also answer some frequently asked questions. I have attached the demo art from a few recent art classes and workshops.

The favorite brush

Always use the brush which feels comfortable for the part of painting you are working on. It is difficult to draw fine lines with a huge brush and vice versa: it takes too long to cover large are with a tiny brush. Over time, every artist develops some kind of attraction to a certain brush whether flat, fan brush or round. It is very possible to paint the entire medium size acrylic painting with one medium size flat brush from start to finish.

No pressure

We should never try to put pressure on ourselves or canvas if some painting step doesn’t happen. As with all water-based mediums, timing is an important part of acrylic painting. We should always use large loose brushstrokes for the first layers and keep the textured impasto approach for the most important areas and for the end. exception is when you are using the texture medium or modelling paste at first, then the sequence will be slightly different.

Cleaning brush

Whenever we move from one color to another, we have to rinse the brush and swipe it on a paper towel. It is important not to have too much water on a brush before you get the paint. You need just a small bit of water. Acrylic paint darkens as it dries, therefore, the values might appear not as they are while the paint is wet.

Keeping acrylic paint workable

Extenders and flow medium can extend the working time, however, working with sticky paint may be not suitable for all areas. It is better to work on segments and use mix of medium and tiny bit of water for re-wetting large areas. Too much water can damage acrylic paint. Brushes must always stay submerged in water while we paint. We can rinse them under running warm water and wash with soap afterwards.

Create monochromatic base image

If the object or scene is very complex, it is great to paint the main parts just in one color: create a monochromatic base image. Changing and adding color is very easy, the most difficult part is achieving the right values, color intensity, proportion between light and dark colors.

Early spring, acrylic painting by Inese Poga
Early spring was done entirely during art classes and served as a demo painting

Expectations and real painting

It can happen that participants have very high expectations when they come to the 3-hour painting workshop. In general, one has to be a realist to some extent. If the participant has never painted before or has done a little bit of painting 20 or more years ago, the first painting will be an interesting exercise. That helps understanding what it means to paint with a brush and to try mixing colors. I would not advise to expect it to be a perfection and best art ever created. Who gets better when just starting to paint? People, who are able to take risks, to experiment and who dare stepping out of their comfort zone.

Acrylic paintings tips
Acrylic landscape with purple and yellow flowers, sold

You will have to learn and paint it

Signing up for a painting class does not mean that painting will paint itself. The art instructor is not a magician, but somebody who can explain, show, demonstrate and correct if something goes completely wrong. Live classes are much better than any online classes because I can see right away what is causing a problem: too much paint, too less paint, too dry or wet brush and so on. We are painting not only with brushstroke, palette knives and sponges, but also with hand pressure, heavy or light movement of the hand, arm or wrist. Application of paint is a big deal and that is something which is best done in the presence of an instructor. I usually explain why the particular image or composition is good or isn’t, why the particular choice of color works or doesn’t.

Spring, acrylic painting
Road to spring was created during art class as a demo for group.

Some tips for beginning artists:

Whenever you have time and chance, pre-paint your canvas in light cardboard color using burnt sienna, yellow ocher and white. Instead of white, we can use gesso, as well. Acrylic gesso is acrylic primer, it seals the pores on canvas or any other material, that includes wood panels, plastic and similar materials. It allows using less paint and it is easier to apply it on previously primed surface.

Spring road, acrylic painting
Behind the ben: acrylic painting of spring road is 20 x 16 in or 51 x 41 cm art on canvas

Think layers

Think in layers, separate in your imagination the part which is behind and underneath, in order to avoid working on small details right away. I’m often seeing how everybody tends to move to fine details way too fast and well before the entire scene is blocked in. We always start from the back and with the background. Unless there is a large very light part, we have to start with dark and medium dark colors. That seems to be the most difficult part for beginners. We do not use the final color at the beginning, but we build it up layer upon layer.

Acrylic paintings tips
We were painting Birches and bluebells during the last adult acrylic painting classes, my painting is sold

Applying color or building it up

There is a big difference between applying color and building it up. The further we are in the painting the closer we move to the front part. That is a bit different with separate objects like in still life or floral painting. However, we always start with more general things and just afterwards move to particular parts and details. In oil or acrylic, we always go from dark to light and finish up with small areas of highlights. If we have lost the dark parts, we have to paint them back in.

Start over

If you think that some painting is not good enough and it is not worth trying to make it right, you can cover the entire canvas (previous painting) with a mix of gesso and some colors and start a new painting. The small imprints from old painting lines will add more texture, they most often look interesting, and you can build up a thicker layer above the basic layers.

Correct everything

It takes a lot of effort to damage an acrylic painting completely since you can paint it over for as many times as you wish and have time for (or patience). Being afraid to do something wrong in acrylic painting has no reason – you can correct practically anything. It will take more work, time and paint, that’s all.

Happy summer painting! I hope you enjoy the summer painting tips!

For prints:

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The warm side of the grey scale: conquering procrastination

Moonlight, acrylic painting

The reason I decided not to do any demos on a separate canvas for every class is simple: there have accumulated large numbers of somewhat finished; half-finished, not at all finished medium size paintings. For that purpose, I invented my changeable demo board which can tolerate everything: all kinds of colors and themes. It takes a lot of work to bring these unfinished paintings to some completed condition. On the other hand, I do not always feel like I would be interested any more in either that subject, scene, or the work itself. You know this state: some time later, next week, next month, in the fall, etc. Procrastination is a tough thing to conquer.

We all evolve, it is not surprising that our priorities or preferred methods do not remain attractive forever. I suppose anybody who has done painting or writing over long period of time, has experienced the state when one has to really wonder what was that I liked so much in this picture, scene, poem, article, story or sketch. We have learned along the way, and the former passions pale out when compared to the most recent discoveries or achievements. To some point, that is also true when I think about some people who I was so passionate about 30-40 years ago. Were they worth the tears cried out? Oh my, I have to laugh now remembering the stuff which seemed like a tragedy back then.

Autumn boats, acrylic painting

The same laws of affection and love regulate my overall attitude to themes and objects which I would like exploring closer and drawing or painting. The colors I loved 30 years ago are not matching the color scheme I feel comfortable with at the moment. I would not say my drawing style or general approach has dramatically changed, but there certainly has been movement and development. I am one of those people who just took the pencil and started to draw, it was very simple and easy, and everything just fall in place as I moved the pencil around. I don’t actually use eraser when drawing, unless I would like to place something significantly higher, lower, more left or right. My mom had preserved portraits and illustrations I did when I was 10 (that’s 46 years ago), and I don’t find anything wrong with them. I suppose, I dared a lot because I had not studied anything art related. It was all fresh, all from scratch, and thus, totally unaffected by any other opinions.

These were my reminiscences from far away.

Today, I am facing a lot of work. Some of previous paintings are so highly textured that it is impossible to paint over the initial image or replace it with something else. I have been thinking also about adding some mixed media parts to such works, well, assuming I’d ever have time for that. I am not sorry to through out something which is completely out of line, but there is sort of appeal in previously used canvas. Some kind of challenge, too: is it possible at all to make something nice out of this mess?

That way, I have been adding some brush strokes here and there, and some paintings are actually getting done. Interesting enough, they seem to be unusually grey scale for me. Grays have abnormally huge scale of possible shades. It is interesting to observe what some particular stuff might result in.

The attached images might inspire somebody to also finish up their started works.

It is always fairly difficult to get on the photo the exact colors or look. I’m trying, however, no online image can ever replace the actual painting.