Painting as a hobby is a fun and rewarding way to express yourself and explore your creativity. Painting can also reduce stress, boost your self-esteem, and enhance your cognitive skills. To get started, you only need some basic supplies, such as paints, brushes, canvas, and a palette. You can also find online tutorials, courses, books, and communities to help you learn and improve.
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Painting
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Painting is self-discovery. Every good artist paints what he is.
Jackson Pollock
Helpful content to get started
We curated content to familiarize you with painting as a hobby and to inspire and help you get started.
We strive for accuracy, but errors may occur. Always use your judgment.
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Results indicate that art making resulted in statistically significant lowering of cortisol levels [a stress hormone].
Girija Kaimal, Kendra Ray & Juan Muniz (2016) Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making, Art Therapy, 33:2, 74-80, DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2016.1166832
Basic lingo for orientation.
- Medium: A substance that alters the properties of paint, such as its consistency, drying time, or glossiness. Mediums can be oil-based, water-based, or acrylic-based.
- Acrylic paint: A type of paint made from pigments suspended in a synthetic resin. It dries quickly and can be used on various surfaces.
- Oil paint: A type of paint made from pigments mixed with oil, usually linseed oil. It dries slowly and can be blended and layered easily.
- Watercolor paint: A type of paint made from pigments dissolved in water. It dries quickly and creates transparent washes of color.
- Canvas: A fabric stretched over a wooden frame that serves as a support for painting. Canvas can be primed or unprimed, depending on the type of paint used.
- Color wheel: A circular diagram that shows the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, as well as complementary, analogous, and triadic color schemes.
- Easel: A stand that holds a canvas or a board at an angle for painting. Easels can be adjustable, portable, or fixed.
- Gesso: A white primer that prepares a surface for painting. Gesso can be applied to canvas, wood, paper, or metal to create a smooth and even base.
- Glaze: A thin layer of transparent or semi-transparent paint that modifies the color or value of the underlying layer. Glazing can create depth and luminosity in a painting.
- Palette: A surface used to mix paints. Palettes can be made of wood, plastic, metal, or paper. They can also have wells or compartments for holding paints.
- Palette knife: A tool used to mix paints or apply them directly to a surface. Palette knives have a flat blade with a handle and come in various shapes and sizes.
- Pigment: A substance that gives color to paint. Pigments can be natural or synthetic, organic or inorganic, opaque or transparent.
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How to break the ice and make a start.
- While not traditional, the most accessible first step might be a digital painting app for your computer or mobile device. You might want to pair it with a stylus, a graphic tablet, or a drawing monitor.
- If you choose to start with traditional painting, consider starting with acrylic paint, as it is easy to use and requires no special supplies.
- Buy a painting kit.
- Watch YouTube tutorials.
- If you feel like you need more structured and in-depth guidance, great books and courses are available.
- Also, consider finding a painting class near you.
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Painting can reduce stress and anxiety by allowing you to focus on something positive and relaxing.
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What are the major types of paints?
The major types of paints are oil, acrylic, and watercolor. They differ in their binder, drying time, consistency, color, and supplies.
What type of paint should I use as a beginner?
There is no definitive answer, but acrylics are widely favored by beginners as they are easy to use and do not require any special supplies. The downside is they dry very fast, which can make blending and correcting difficult. You can also try watercolors, which are clean and simple to use, but require more control and precision. Oil paints are more challenging to use and require more supplies and resources, but they offer more flexibility and richness.
What kind of surface do I paint on?
The surface you paint on is called a support or a substrate. The most common supports are canvas and paper. Canvas is durable, textured, and suitable for acrylics and oils. Paper is cheaper, smoother, and suitable for watercolors and other paints. You can also paint on other supports, such as wood, metal, glass, or fabric. However, you may need to prepare them with a primer or a gesso before painting. There are great painting kits with paints and canvases.
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Painting can enhance your cognitive abilities and memory by stimulating your brain and improving your problem-solving skills.
Additional advice for beginners.
- If art supplies feel intimidating and expensive, consider starting with digital painting on your computer or mobile device.
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| Activities | |
|---|---|
| Fields | |
| Locations | |
| Participants | |
| Skills | Analytical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Concentration, Creativity, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Fine Motor Skills, Imagination, Mindfulness, Patience, Perseverance, Physical Endurance, Problem Solving, Research, Self-esteem |