Painting is the action of applying pigments to a surface for decoration or expression. Art historians divide the history of painting into a number of different time periods, each with its own style, technique, and materials. The first step in the process of creating a painting is selecting a subject. The subject should inspire you and challenge you to paint in a new way. It should also be appropriate for the medium you’re working with.
Before you begin painting it is important to familiarize yourself with the different types of paint and what they are used for. In addition to paint there are also many additives and mediums that alter the variable of a painting. These can change its texture, appearance, or drying time.
The selection of the painting medium depends on the artist’s preferences and style, as well as the desired aesthetic outcome of a painting. Typical painting mediums include oils, acrylics, and watercolors. Other mediums include gouache, encaustic wax, pastels, and ink. Encaustic painting, also called hot wax painting, involves adding pigments to heated beeswax. The mixture can be shaped with heated metal tools and brushes before it cools to form the shape of the painting.
Watercolor is an excellent painting medium for beginners as it is easily manipulated and forgiving. Beginners can paint without fear of making mistakes that will be difficult to correct and this helps foster creativity and exploration. Watercolours are also inexpensive and require little investment of both time and money.
Another type of painting medium is tempera paint, which is based on egg yolks. Today, tempera is often mixed with other binders such as glycerin to create a fast-drying, durable, and affordable paint. There are a number of different ways to use tempera, including using it as an undercoat or as a glaze over other mediums.
One of the most common pitfalls that can ruin a painting is the improper handling and storage of the work. Paintings are susceptible to aging and deterioration from the environment, such as acidity, air humidity, UV radiation, and heat. This can result in cracks or discoloration of the paint film and/or fabric support.
In the past, cultural traditions of tribes, religions, guilds, and royal courts controlled the craft, subject matter, and imagery of paintings. Until recently, artists were considered skilled artisans rather than creative artists.
The earliest paintings were primarily decorative and ceremonial in nature. Over the course of history, paintings grew to express ideas and emotions. These artistic motifs may have been based on real experiences or could be a fictitious interpretation of a theme or idea.
A powerful technique that can enhance a painting is the use of right angles. These can be horizontal or vertical, and they can help to add balance to a composition. Look at some of the Old Master paintings to see how right angles are used as a way to accentuate certain features, such as a subject’s arms and legs in Alexandre Cabanel’s painting of Lucifer as a fallen angel.