Learning to paint can seem like a daunting or very exciting task. Watercolor, acrylic, oil paintings? What are the differences, and why do they all need different things? There are so many questions and terms that are uncommon to the untrained painter.
This article will help you go through the 10 easiest types of painting styles for beginners. If you haven’t decided which style you would like to learn first, find a style that speaks to you!
Acrylic Painting and Its Benefits for New Painters
One of these most common types of painting is Acrylic Paint. It has gained popularity over the years because of its durability, vibrant colors, and is easy to learn.
A fun fact about acrylic paints is that they are water-soluble, meaning you need to mix in a little water to thin out the paint.
This type of painting is commonly compared to oil painting. You can think of Acrylic painting as Oil painting’s older sibling.
This type of paint is slightly less expensive than other paints, and it dries much faster than other paints. You must be careful when you use this paint and be uninterrupted while using it.
What Makes Oil Painting So Famous?
Oil painting was used by some of the most famous artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh in his painting “The Starry Night,” Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” and Claude Monet’s “A Girl with a Pearl Earring.”. The oil painting has vibrant and intense colors that made it a staple in the Renaissance Era.
One of the benefits of oil painting is that it takes a long time to dry. Beginners can take more time on their work and learn new techniques because of the slower drying time.
It gives more time to experiment with techniques and color combinations. Another great reason to use oil paints is if you are interested in creating different textures with your artwork. With layering and the use of different brushes, you can create unique artwork.
The Elegant Use of Watercolor Paint
Watercolors are a beautiful painting medium. While some may argue watercolors can be harder to learn for beginners, it would not be surprising to be one of the first types of painting people learn.
Watercolors take more of a learning curve to do well because of their watery consistency and thin paint.
Unlike oils and acrylics, painters need to think about other details when painting, such as the amount of water the paper or brushes can absorb.
Too much or too little water can make an impact on the final product. With watercolors, it is also harder to correct mistakes. It is recommended that those who wish to learn this style of painting started with oils or acrylics.
This can help new painters learn the basics and get used to the painting world before venturing onto watercolors.
If your mind is set on watercolors, don’t be discouraged. With practice and dedication, you can learn to master this elegant style.
The Different Kinds of Pastel Paints
Pastel colors are universally known for their soft, bright look. Although pastels have a similar look to crayons, artwork done with pastels is also known as paintings. No brushes are needed! There are four main kinds of pastels:
- Soft Pastels: This is the most pigmented of all the pastels. If you like intense colors in your paintings, these might be the type of pastel for you. They are easy to use, with no prep-work or additional maintenance required. Another great thing about these is that beginners could easily correct themselves with soft pastels!
- Hard Pastels: These pastels have less pigment than their soft pastel counterparts. However, they have their own advantages. These pastels are stronger and are less likely to snap in half or get damaged. Each pastel has its use, and hard pastels offer crisp lines and details.
- Pastel Pencils: Pastel pencils are the happy mediums between hard and soft pastels. Pencils are easy to use. Everyone knows how to hold and use a pencil. Pastel pencils can blend well and require no clean-up time like other pastels.
- Oil Pastels: These pastels leave a glossy finish to your artwork. They are very similar to the texture of crayons. Oil pastels are bigger than other pastels, so they make coloring in larger areas much easier. These are not the best for new beginners since their oily texture makes it impossible to erase!
Take your pick of what pastel seems best for your style and goals!
The Modern Use of Gouache Paint
Gouache paint may sound unfamiliar to you, but it has been used for centuries. It is useful due to its strong pigment and its similarity to oil and acrylic paints.
Even if the paint dries quickly, it can be reactivated with water. It takes many good qualities of watercolor, oils, and acrylics.
Gouache is excellent when it comes to creating matte colors and looks to your paintings. It has a higher pigmentation, which makes the paint thicker.
Like anything, it is a learning curve. If you layer this paint too quickly, it could begin to crack. Things like these are learned over time and with practice, after all.
Conclusion
Five common paint mediums are
- Acrylic
- Oil
- Watercolor
- Pastel
- Gouache
Each of these mediums has pros and cons, and some are better for beginners than others. Acrylics are commonly agreed to be the best painting medium for beginners. This type of paint has bright and vibrant colors, but it dries quickly.
Oil paints were used by some of the most famous painters in the Renaissance Era for a reason. Painters can create limitless textures and possibilities.
Watercolors are beautiful and elegant but might be harder for beginners to master. Pastels are soft and bright colors. You have a few options to use pastels, such as hard, soft, pencil, or oil pastels.
Gouache has also been used for centuries to create beautiful art. You can create wonderful art with any of these paints. Just get ready to get your hands dirty, and your mind opens to learning.
