Introduction to Painting Techniques: For Beginner Artists

Knowledge of various types of painting techniques and styles will greatly improve your art. It will call for mastery of color, tone, texture, composition, and brushwork. 

This article shares the fundamental painting techniques that will propel your art to the next level. 

Top Painting Techniques.

Here are the main techniques we are going to explore: 

• Underpainting
• Blocking in
• Build up texture
• Sgraffito
• Glazing
• Painting with mediums

Underpainting

Burnt umber is the best for establishing values and shadows when creating an underpainting. A mix of phthalo blues and burnt sienna will also suffice. Use an acrylic medium because it is permanent and dries quickly.

If you are using slow drying paints, work the paint up from thin to dark. For the highlights, add the heavier bright paint at the end. Use a kitchen towel to clean brushes and wipe out any excess paint. 

Blocking In

Brushes are of various types and with different fibers, thus different results. It is good to try them all until you find the one that suits you. When drawing for art contests, have a selection of both the flat and round type brushes. 

Build Up Texture

A dry and flat brush is good for blending the paint and making transitions. You can use anything to add texture to the paint. Eggshells and sand add beautiful texture to a pain. The ready-made texture is also available.

Use an old toothbrush to splatter paint to your image. Do this when you want to suggest noise and grain in your paint.  

Sgraffito

Sgraffito defines scratching off paint when it is well to expose the underpainting. It is especially useful for grass, scratches, and hair depiction. Any pointed object, such as a rubber shaping tool or the end of a brush, can be used to scratch-off paint.

Glazing

To modulate color and intensify shadows, lay a transparent paint coat on the painting's already dry part. This process is called glazing. For green color, lay a transparent blue over dry yellow. 

Painting with Mediums

Medium refers to fluids that an artist adds to paint for texture, drying time, and consistency modulation. Different mediums make the paint gloss or gloss in acrylics. However, a matte medium is suitable for sealing the paper or board to prevent paint from soaking in it. 

Final Thoughts

You are assured of gaining recognition in art competitions if you use any of these painting techniques in your art. Regularly apply them in your painting projects, and pro art status will knock on your door.