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picturemom · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 956 Location: kansas

I have always liked paintings, and would like to give it a try myself. Thought maybe i could try to turn a few of my photographs into real paintings. I just don't quite no where to start ya know? does anyone here dabble into the other creative arts? I would like to work with oil paints. I don't want to spend to much until i find out this is something i enjoy doing!! maybe purchase a artist kit of some kind? anyone of you multi-talented artist here paint or do other hobbies other than photography?
thanks
Michelle

helix7 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 1505 Location: New Jersey

I've painted a bit, but mostly just in acrylics. I'm not particularly good, so I tend to stick with cheap acrylic paints, the big tubes that go for just a couple bucks each. It's definitely fun and is a nice contrast from the digital stuff we do here. If you're just starting out, acrylics might be the way to go. They're generally cheaper and are more forgiving, and make for a better learning medium in my opinion.

One thing I've noticed is that I muh prefer to decorate my home with stuff I've made, drawn, painted, shot, etc., or at least stuff that isn't store-bought off-the-shelf items. I've even bought stock images just to print and frame because it's not the usual sort of stuff you'd see hanging on a wall.

The one downside, however is that you will be more of a critic of the stuff you hang on your own walls that you painted yourself. I've got a painting in my dining room that I hate, and I'm always saying that I'll do something nicer to replace it someday.

:)

mikeledray · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:33 pm

I am an artist
I have done oil paintings, accrylic paintings, sculptures, 3-d sculpture paintings, ceramics, video, a couple public access tv programs, jewlery, creative writing, color xerox when it first started, moving gifs on the web, taxadermy, coloring books and any untold number of other things I can not think to list right now
photography is my latest artistic endevour
some of my paintings are in my ss gallery with my dogs and alone infact
I would suggest start with accrylics, they dry fast, clean up with water, are colorful, can be used thick or thin, and are easy to use and enjoy
stop in any art supply store, talk to them
get a few cheap brushes some accrylic paints, a pre streched canvis, and there you go
you can do one of your photos a number of ways, you can sketch your image onto your canvis with a pencil first and fill in with color, scan it on to a clear transparency, use an over head projector and project your image onto your canvis, trace it out then color it in, just paint on your canvis free hand as you wish looking at your photo for ideas and designs to name a few ideas
heck I even would go buy paintings from goodwill cheap, white wash over them and paint my images on top of those.
art is fun
let us know how you do and take some pics
have fun
all the best

nirdesha · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 742

How about this?

picturemom · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 956 Location: kansas

thanks guys!!!! this is great info so far!! This is the photo i want to paint, but i think i have way to high of expectations for myself. too bad it don't have little numbers all over it then i could paint by number rofl!! It looks a whole lot easier then i bet it really is ya know. sighhhhhh We'll see what i can come up with. Don't get your hopes up though lol
Michelle

rinder99 · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:42 pm

I used to teach fine art Oil painting for about 5 years. some of my stuff in my port. The best advice I can give you is, Before you buy a bunch of stuff. Take some classes and use a pencil and paper , Learn to draw first. try and copy some masters as homework. Look into a mirror and without looking at your work Draw yourself. Don't cheat. draw your face., your hands. Make your fingers bleed from doing so much, then go to charcoal, then go to paint. It's the only way.If ya cant draw, why paint? unless ya just wanna have fun? sorry, you know me. All or nothing.If ya went to a art school, you wouldn't be allowed to use paint for one year.

mikeledray · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:43 pm

cute picture
you should submit it as stock also

perhaps make a nice large print of it and have it framed for your house
that way you will enjoy it that way too

lilcrazyfuzzy · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:43 pm

I do throw small pet animals on 90x90 canvas as a hobby, i do count this as artistic painting

glitterd · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 217 Location: Willoughby, OH

Artist and generally crafty-type person. Other than photography, I make candles, draw, painted some (acrylics), ceramics, jewelry, linoleum carving, design furniture (that my friend makes for me :D ), crochet, etc etc. Used to manage an art department in a craft store and you see all the cool things you can play with and you end up trying them all!

Another thing you can try is to take a large print of your image and tape it to the back of the pre-stretched canvas, then sketch it out from there. I also recommend acrylics as they are the easiest to get started with and you can use all types of brushes until you find what you like. Just pay attention to the bristles when you're selecting them. If they are too loose, get something else. Its a pain to try to fish loose bristles off your canvas or out of your paint.

Red paints will always be more expensive because of the chemicals needed to make it. Buy the cheapest stuff you can get to start out with.

Use an old ice cube tray instead for paying 3-10 bucks for a small pallet or a piece of parchment paper on cardboard for when you need to mix colors and such.

Good luck and have fun with it!
-Shannon

picturemom · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 956 Location: kansas

rinder99 · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:14 pm

mikeledray · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:11 pm

heck start with some water colors
they are cheap
get some nice paper its cheap also
a few cheap brushes
mix them thin, keep them thick
use an old tooth brush a a paint brush
I love painting with tooth brushes they make great designs
fill it with paint, hold it away from the paper, or canvis or what ever your painting, take your thumb and pull your thumb accross the bristles full of paint towards your body.
Makes great splashes and spots
get close, get far away
experiment
art is fun
hey get your kids involved
art makes kids smart, even if they cant spell later in life
:)
its still fun

janh · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:11 pm

Hi Michelle
I have done many handcrafts in my time, painting on Porcelain and glass as some of them, handcarving is another.
Listen to Rinder, and practice before you even think of copying this lovely photograph.
Go to the library and look for a book on learning to paint.
Nothing is achieved without first trying! :-)

Good Luck!

mikeledray · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:10 pm

evok · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:59 pm

Try spray paint.. Here's one of mine..