How to paint: tips for the total beginner

I am writing this post for all of you who have never painted before and you have always wanted to give it a shot.

I recommend using acrylic paints before you start with oils because
a) they're cheaper
b) they clean up easier
c) they're cheaper and clean up easier

I painted with acrylic paints for nearly two years before moving on to oils. They allowed me to become comfortable with how paint moves and, like I said before they are way cheaper and easier to clean up. Instead of dealing with linseed oil and turps you only need water. Some people like to use a medium with acrylics, but I never found it necessary. Acrylic paints dry much quicker than oils and this has its advantages because you can easily correct or paint over problematic areas.


Lay out your palette with:
Cadmium Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Prussian or Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber, and White.
This is really all you need to achieve a wide array of colors.
You may also want to use Yellow Ochre, Vandyke brown, Cadmium red, Burnt sienna and Sap Green. Any other color you wish to add is up to you. ie: bright green and hot pinks are fun to play around with. As are golds and silvers.
*Helpful hint: Use a disposable palette. It's just easier. Or you can use a sheet of aluminum foil.
Avoid those palettes with the sunken holes altogether because those holes can really limit you.
I notice students try to keep their paint in the holes and it can be a drag. They might be good for watercolors, but not for oil painting.

Brushes are a whole world in and of themselves. Here's some more information on choosing the right kind of brush. I personally like to use the really soft kind. I never used those traditional bristle brushes but I might be doing it all wrong. Experiment as much as you are able to without spending too much money.
*Remember to get the kind specifically for acrylic/oil painting. Don't use watercolor brushes.

Start by painting a simple color wheel.
Red, yellow and blue are your primary colors.
red+yellow=orange
yellow+blue=green
red+blue=purple
Combine colors, add whites - you will be amazed by the infinite colors and values you are capable of achieving.

To make black mix up your darkest blue, red and brown..it's much richer than using black out of a tube. Here's some more info about mixing black for your painting

Try doing a scale from darkest to white with the black you've mixed up.

Look at this little genius. (yeah right, I bet her dad painted that.)

Don't be afraid to give yourself a lot of materials to work with. For example, load up your paintbrush with paint, allow yourself to use large canvas boards to paint on. It's more fun that way. I notice people can be really sparse with their materials. I mean, would you try to sew a bridal gown with a yard of fabric?

Most importantly DON'T WORRY ABOUT DOING IT WRONG. The most common problem I see in beginner painters is the desire to make the painting look perfect and exactly like the thing they are painting. Unless you've been drawing for a really long time most likely you will not be able to achieve a likeness right off the bat.

This is a painting by Richard Diebenkorn

My recommendation for beginners is to start by just painting color fields. Experiment with your brushes and materials. The more you paint, the more confidence you will have in your materials and ultimately you will have greater control of what you're making.

Okay, so have at it. Paint your heart away. Get familiar with the materials, and the unlimited possibilities of colors you can create. Practice with really loading brushes with paint and paint with confident strokes. Avoid the dabbing thing; commit to your mark.

When it's time to clean...


Scumble the brushes with dish soap in the palm of your hand like so. Use this special soap for the final cleaning. It has a magic ingredient which conditions the bristles of your brush and makes them last longer and stay silky soft.

Store the brushes upside down - the water runs down and won't swell and crack the wood around the bristles that way.

Tear off your palette page and dispose of it, or wipe the paint off it. Or let the paint dry and have fun peeling it off later.

The iconic black beret

Step back, pour yourself a glass of grape juice and enjoy your masterpiece!
Ponder the hidden meaning of the colors you've chosen, your brushstrokes, and that blob of paint in the corner - was it an accident or did you mean for it to be there? Does it represent your father or your broken heart?
What could you have done to make your marks more intentional?
How is the composition of the painting? Are all the elements working in harmony with each other?
If not, does it represent your desire for dissonance and disorder?
Did you make something structured and rigid? Are you tapping into your inner authoritarian?

The best part about being a beginner is that you can only get better from here.