Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone can paint! Seems
hard to believe but absolutely true. Decorative
painting as we know it today is all about applying systematic
methods and ordinary people like
you and me with no artistic background have been able to learn
how to paint.
Decorative painting is an easily learnt
art form and if you can hold a pen, you can learn to paint and create beautiful pieces of decorative art.
What
is the best way to learn decorative painting?
The best way to start learning is to attend classes. Taking lessons
has the following advantages:
- Structured learning - teachers usually structure
lessons to build in the different skills involved in decorative painting.
You will
be sure to learn new skills every time you attend a class.
- Discipline - attending regular classes
means you make time for yourself to become a good artist!
You learn at
your
own
pace but you paint
on a consistent basis.
- Relaxing atmosphere - in a weekly painting class for example,
no one is under pressure to finish their work in a hurry!
You paint in a
relaxing atmosphere.
If you are fast, of course you accomplish more during a class.
If you are industrious, you can do homework after the class...otherwise
you just continue at the next class.
- Learning environment - you are with others
who are trying to accomplish the same thing - learning to
do something
they
were not able to do
before. Being in a group helps you to learn from each other
and keeps you motivated.
Visit Artezan Decorative Painting Studio
Do I need an art background?
No, you don't! Any decorative painter you
meet will probably tell you that she (or he) never had an
art
background
or artistic
experience and probably never picked up a brush before!
In decorative painting, you will be taught all the necessary skills
and techniques step-by-step. You'll be amazed to see, as you go along,
how you yourself are turning unfinished, plain wood, even ordinary
household items into heirloom
quality functional and decorative pieces and unique gifts. Like many
others, the stunning masterpieces you are creating will not only
surprise family and friends, but also impress them.
They'll actually find it hard to believe that you actually painted
those pieces yourself when you did not have any artistic experience
or background!
What do I need to have to start painting?
Basic supplies for beginning decorative painters
usually include the following:
- A wet palette to keep your paints from drying (saves
a lot of paint!)
- A stylus, transfer paper and tracing paper for
tracing patterns
- A 1" flat brush for basecoating and varnishing
- A 2" sponge roller for basecoating and varnishing large
surfaces
- A round brush for strokework
- A flat brush or shader
- A liner brush for linework
- A palette knife for mixing colours
- A small bottle of brush-cleaner to clean your brushes
- Water-based varnish to protect your finish pieces
- Sampler kit of acrylic paints and mediums or a starter
kit of basic initial colours if you intend to do any painting on your own outside classes
It IS possible to begin painting without
buying all the above items but you'll probably have them
all by your second or third class.
Other things you will eventually need to buy will include various
types
of mediums which decorative painters use for various purposes
- glazing, blending, crackling and marbling, to name a few,
and of course various other brushes to perform specific
types of brushwork.
Are supplies easily available?
Supplies
for the decorative painter are generally quite readily
available in art supply shops wherever you are. Brands
may
differ but
they
ARE available. Brushes and paints are available in a number
of
brands and tools like the wet palette and other supplies
are also obtainable.
If you 're not able to find them in
your regular
art supply shop, you should ask your teacher as she will probably
stock most of these items.
Books on decorative painting may usually
be
found in the arts and crafts section of some book shops.
If you know of folk artists and decorative artists in your
area, get in
touch
with them as they usually stock some books. Even if they
don't, they should be able to order them for you or help
you order them
yourself.
There are, of course, a wide selection of suppIies and books available
on the internet - its quite safe to purchase through secure sites
so you always have this alternative if you don't find what you need
locally.
Artezan's
recommendations on books, accessories and supplies
Is Decorative Painting expensive?
Decorative painting is a hobby - something you choose to do for
pleasure. At least that's the reason why most of us start painting!
Of course, you may find it costs a bit initially but that's because
you need to invest in basic equipment and supplies to get started.
You could start with the minimum, get the hang of it and invest
in additional brushes, paints and mediums as you go along.
To start on the right footing, you should begin by purchasing
good brushes, but who says they have to be the best? When you start
seeing
results, when you know you're really serious about painting and
you're absolutely
hooked, trust me, you will want to get the best.
Classes...you'll need to attend at least a few of them. Fees for
decorative painting may vary from place to place but they're not
expensive when you consider that you're learning to do something
you couldn't do before.
The truth is, how much you spend on decorative painting (or any
other hobby for that matter) really depends on how deep your pocket
is.
Buy what you need and spend what you can afford is the best advise
I can give.
What am I paying for when I take classes?
When you go to a studio to paint with a teacher,
the teacher is sharing her knowledge and experience with you and
you get personal attention and guidance. You'll get advise too,
for sure.
You'll know if you're doing it right or you're doing it wrong.
Its not quite the same as learning completely on your own or
from videos, CDs and books.
Whatever you are painting in class, you basically get a pattern
packet from your teacher - something that she or he has painted
before, designed, or researched and created.
Your teacher has also probably invested in a lot of books and taken
lessons from other artists. Believe me - she's done this so she
can learn from them and teach you..so that's back to sharing knowledge
and experience. Later you'll want to buy those books yourself because
by then you will have learnt how to interpret the instructions.
Whatever it is, you're gaining a lot...until you're ready to
go it alone. In a nutshell - you're paying not only for expertise,
but
more importantly, guidance, coaching and feedback.
How do I keep learning?
Its really up to you. I know people who attend five or six initial
classes to learn the basics and then carry on painting and learning
on their own. Some find they really enjoy painting in a group
and continue to attend classes whenever they can.
Different people learn in different ways. There are many ways to
continue after your initial classes:
- you may start buying books and try painting on your own
using designs available in various American and Australian
magazines (among
others),
books by various artists or pattern packets which you can purchase
in your area or on the internet.
- you can tell your teacher what else you would like to
learn to paint - she would gladly find a suitable project
- you can learn by attending classes with other teachers
in your area after you have learned the basics - expand your
horizons: different
teachers have different specialties!
- you can register for decorative painting workshops which
may be organised from time to time by different teachers
or studios in your
area
- you can register for seminars with international artists
which are organised in your area
- you can even register for seminars, workshops and conventions
which are usually organised in the US, UK, Canada or Australia!
The most important thing is - don't stop learning! |
