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This article is intended for beginners, that is, for those who are about to start learning something new, since any road begins with the first step. Just get started and take your time and try to enjoy the process of learning how to draw! Watercolor painting is both enjoyable and a little challenging. It all depends on your approach. Watercolor is one of the most versatile genres of painting, in which you can paint almost anything: from realistic concrete images to abstraction and impressionism. Beginners are advised not to start with the idea of creating a masterpiece, but with small steps, gradually and slowly.
Before you feel completely comfortable with watercolors, you will have to paint a lot. Don't give up if your first attempts are less successful than you would like. Mastering the watercolor technique requires a lot of effort and time, but it's worth it!
So, let's begin!
Steps
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Read books and articles on watercolors and try to get new ideas from them. Watch videos on YouTube and other portals to learn more about watercolor painting techniques. After that, try to draw something you really like. An interesting type of painting is Sumi-E or Japanese painting ink, which perfectly transforms into watercolor drawings.
- Many instructors begin their courses by teaching the wet-on-wet-paper technique, but it is preferable to begin by introducing the most common technique, wet-on-dry-paper.
- If you use quality embossed watercolor paper (such as Arches), don't throw away any sketches or failed paintings you made on it. You can always paint over them again with acrylic or gouache or use it as a background for pastel painting. This paper will also look better no matter what you paint on it, and if you paint something beautiful, your painting will last longer without yellowing.
- Watercolor paints are produced in various forms: in tubes, in pencil form or in cuvettes. There are also watercolor crayons. This article used tube watercolors.
- Try to find a type of paper that suits your painting style. Different types of paper have different characteristics. Arches paper does not have most of the disadvantages and is the most versatile, even allowing you to wash off a watercolor image, dry it and reuse it.
- If you use paint in pans, do not throw them away after the paint runs out. You can always reuse the ditches by filling them with paint from tubes, after rinsing them thoroughly, and you will have the opportunity to fill the ditches with your favorite colors without relying on the standard sets in which the ditches are supplied.
- Don't buy the most expensive paper or natural sable brushes. You can spend a large amount of money on the purchase, but this is not necessary! Quality synthetic brushes, a small palette of good paint (artist paint is better than student paint) and 300gsm cold pressed paper is most suitable for beginning artists. Buy a few supplies to start with and gradually add more as needed.
- Watercolor pan sets are convenient for painting outdoors or while traveling. The colors in them are not so easy to mix large volumes, but they are very useful for working with the wet brush on dry paper method. For travel, it is better to choose a brush with a medium or sharp tip. big size, included in sets of paints in cuvettes. However, to draw fine details you will need a smaller brush. A pocket-sized block of watercolor paper is ideal for sketching during travel, class, or lunch breaks. Some sets (like Winsor & Newton) include a water bottle, collapsible palette lids, and so on.
- One of the best manufacturers of watercolor paints is Winsor & Newton. The Cotman brand is designed specifically for use by beginners. It is cheaper and therefore you can experiment without worrying about high costs. Winsor & Newton Cotman accessories are of excellent quality and are suitable for students.
- The wet-brush-on-wet-paper method also works well over the wet-on-dry-paper method within the same painting.
Place a sheet of thick paper on the table. Draw something very primitive with a simple pencil. For example, square or circle
Apply no a large number of watercolors of any color on a white surface of the palette.
Wet the brush a little. If the brush absorbs too much water, remove it with a cloth or shake it lightly.
Drip a little water from the brush onto the paint previously applied to the palette. One or two drops is enough, no more.
Dip the brush into the paint and water that has formed on the palette and pick up a small amount of paint. Next, paint over what you drew on a piece of paper. geometric figure. If the paint is too thick and won't spread, dip your brush in water and try again. Continue experimenting with different amounts of water and paint in the mixture until you get the consistency you want. If you want to get light dry shades with a dry brush effect, then you will need less water. If you want juiciness and brightness, then, accordingly, more, etc. Completely paint over the geometric shape drawn on paper.
Let the drawing dry.
Take a piece of watercolor paper and secure it to the drawing board using special adhesive tape. Use a large brush or sponge to dampen the entire surface of the paper. After this, try applying several strokes of watercolor paint in different colors. See what results are obtained with different degrees of paper moisture when applying different colors of paint.
If you use paper that is too wet, you can end up with a very smooth and light color. Paint of different colors is mixed on paper, allowing you to obtain new shades. Try putting a blue stripe on wet paper next to a yellow or gold stripe, and then a red stripe. You will see how the colors mix, creating uniform color transitions.
Try letting the test design dry until the shine is gone and the paper is still damp. Now the applied stripes will still have soft edges, but will become a little more defined. Once the paint has completely dried, add details with a wet brush on dry paper.
To begin with, try to depict a very simple object that can be multi-colored. Mix up some sky blue paint. Draw a sketch of the hills and tree. First paint them with a wet brush on wet paper. After that, start adding some larger details with a wet brush. Finally, when the paper is completely dry, add fine details with a wet brush on dry paper. That is, the larger the parts, the moister the paper should be.
You can determine that the paper is completely dry by its temperature, which can be checked by holding it back side palms over the paper, but without touching it. There should be no cold coming from the leaf. In order to acquire the skill of determining temperature in this way, you will need to practice a little. But this is necessary, since any touch can lead to damage to the design and the appearance of greasy stains from the skin of the palms on its surface. Do not remove the adhesive tape until the paper is completely dry. The tape helps the paper not curl, keeps it straight and flat, eliminating the formation of unevenness caused by changes in humidity and exposure to paint.
You can use ready-made watercolor blocks in which all four sides of the paper are glued, like the top edge of a notebook. It's a little more expensive, but very convenient for a beginner.
Try applying light paint to the surface of the paper, and while the paint is still wet, sprinkle salt on it. You'll get interesting effects that can be used to paint landscapes with snowflakes in the sky or lichen on the rocks.
Try drawing on paper with white or wax pencil, or the tip of a candle to see how the lines appear when watercolor paint is applied to them.
Try cutting out shapes from adhesive masking film and painting over the resulting stencil to get specific outlines. Anything covered with stencil film will remain unpainted.
Always start your watercolor paintings by painting in the darker areas and outlining the lighter areas. Isolate or mask out anything that needs to remain white. Get used to the "negative image" as this will also help you get more accurate outlines of objects than if you draw them first and then outline the background. Try starting your image of the cup with its surroundings and the background behind the handle, leaving the details of the cup itself for last. You will feel a big difference in image accuracy!
Try the "glazing" technique. Once the watercolor is completely dry, mix a small amount of paint in a contrasting shade and quickly paint over the area. This will change the color and if done correctly will not blur the image. Light golden paint applied by glazing to illuminated areas of the landscape can make sunlight much more expressive.
With watercolors you can paint anything - from a realistic portrait to imaginary alien worlds. Many people think watercolor is a complex artistic tool. But all you really need to learn how to paint with watercolors is to just start. We have selected 11 tips for you, thanks to which you will become 11 steps closer to understanding the art of watercolor drawing.
1. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty!
If you've never drawn before, it's time to get started. Open the album, create interesting textures and stains with watercolors so as not to freeze in front of a white sheet of paper. Start from them in search of a plot. Color pages can be bright and exciting or create a calm, melancholic mood. Color or texture may suggest the next step - or maybe you're itching to paint without it.
Illustration from the book “The World of Watercolors”.
2. Find your watercolor paper
The result of the work largely depends on the quality of the watercolor paper. Go to a bookstore and select 5-10 different sheets of watercolor paper to try out. Be sure to make notes on each sheet (type, weight of paper and results of working with it). A suitable paper weight for beginners is 300 g/m2, some professionals prefer 600 g/m2. There are other types of watercolor paper, such as NOT paper and rough texture paper, or cold pressed paper.
3. Use professional paints
Even novice artists should purchase professional watercolor paints. Unlike cheap analogues art paints lay down beautifully and spread on paper.
“I prefer tubes rather than pans: firstly, you don’t have to wait for the paint to soften and become workable, and secondly, it’s easier to create rich, dark mixtures with tube paint.”Billy Showell
It is true that artist paints are more expensive, but they will also last longer. They dilute better and therefore are not used up so quickly.
Advice. Try new colors and others art materials as often as possible. Experiment. Don't become a hostage to one habit
4. Observe and consider before you take up the brush
Before drawing, study the structure of the object. Look at it as if you were seeing it for the first time, look carefully, take notes, sketches, get familiar with textures and details that you have never paid attention to. For example, observe the spiral arrangement of the leaves or the whorls along the veins of the stem.
You get double benefits from drawing plants - first you meditate while looking at it, and then you get real pleasure from drawing. Isn't it wonderful? @miftvorchestvo
Try to mentally break down what you see into its components. Select the main shapes. See how they overlap each other. Imagine the landscape as a stage set. Pay attention to what is closest and what is further away.
5. Learn to mix paints
Try mixing colors to get an idea of what shades you can achieve with your paint set. Mix two colors first, then add a third to them. Experiment!
You will love creating such beautiful colors and variations of shades and tones, the number of them is almost inexhaustible.
Focus on yourself. You can do or very realistic drawings or very non-trivial. Your task is to collect paints whose properties you will know, which will allow you to create the desired shades with a guaranteed good result.
By mixing pure pigments, you can create cool, warm or grayish variations of the same color. Illustration from the book “Song of Colors”
6. Start with sparing expression
If you do pencil sketches or sketches, you can diversify your watercolor drawings by adding accents. You don't have to color the entire page; sometimes a few well-placed brush strokes create the most powerful effect.
Careless dotted watercolor strokes in sketches are the signature style of Felix Scheinberger. Illustration from the book “Watercolor Sketching”
7. Use liquid primer for watercolors
Liquid primer for watercolors is applied to the paper before starting work and allows you to easily remove dried paint if necessary. This is especially important when working with intense or persistent pigments: you don’t have to worry about “staining” the paper in the area of highlights. Before using it, practice in a sketchbook, as the surface for drawing will be quite slippery.
To remove paint from those areas where it was not needed (you accidentally went beyond the edges or you need to create highlights), simply wash off the paint with a clean, dampened brush or sponge.
8. Learn the art of glazing
Artists call glazing a technique for obtaining deep iridescent colors by applying translucent paints on top of the main one. The glazing technique is an excellent way to convey the finest color gamut. The paints are applied very delicately, layer by layer, and after drying the details of the last layer are worked out.
Illustration from the book “Song of Colors”
9. Dry brush technique
This technique can be used to draw animal fur or small hairs on fruits such as kiwi.
Apply paint to the brush and remove excess with a napkin. Straighten the brush hairs. Apply paint to a dry surface previously painted in the background color. Work in small strokes in one direction, imitating hairs on the surface.
Kiwi using dry brush technique. Illustration from the book
What can you draw when you're bored? A question to which the site actually has a hundred answers, but let's talk about everything in order.
The simplest ideas for beginners
Not all of us can draw well, and we don’t really want to bother with complex drawings in those moments when we’re just bored. I offer a whole range of cool and interesting drawings, which you can draw in those moments when you or your child really want to take up drawing to kill boredom:
More ideas
What else can you draw when you're bored? Let's get creative.
- Comic
. Surely funny stories happened to you not so long ago, which you told your parents or friends more than once. What if you draw them in the form of a comic book? It is likely that your story will touch many people, and you will even become famous! You can find examples of comics on the Internet - today you can find almost anything online: how to call a Life operator, how to make a craft and how to fly an airplane.
- Your character from the game
. If you are a fan of any computer toy, be it Minecraft or League of Legends, you definitely have a favorite character that you wouldn’t mind drawing. Try to portray him in battle or, on the contrary, in some unusual situation - for example, as if your character had ended up in our world;
- You yourself
. Although drawing yourself is difficult, it is very interesting! Try drawing your own portrait in your favorite style - perhaps you will not only find something to draw when you're bored, but also have a unique and unusual avatar!
- Idol
. If you have a favorite actor, singer or just a cartoon character, why not draw him when you're bored? Drawing a loved one from the world of show business or just a fictional one cartoon character It will take your time perfectly and leave an excellent result in the form of upgraded drawing skills and a cool drawing!
- Your girlfriend or boyfriend
. This is a great opportunity for you to practice your drawing skills and keep yourself busy when you're bored, and just imagine how pleased the person you drew will be!
- Relatives
. Mom, dad, grandparents, sisters and brothers - all these people who are very close to us always support us, no matter what situation we find ourselves in, and, of course, it will be very nice to draw a beloved relative with a pencil on paper or digitally.
- Pet
. If you have a favorite animal, then this is a great chance to learn how to draw an animal from life. Of course, it takes a long time to persuade your pet to sit quietly, but if suddenly you are lucky enough to have your kitty curled up to take a nap, don’t waste time, grab pencils, paper, an eraser, and start drawing!
- Something beautiful.
Think about what causes you the most emotions? Maybe a bright rainbow after rainy day, rays of sunshine in mom’s hair, some landmark, an elegant butterfly, or just something ordinary at first glance, but incredibly dear to your heart.
I’ll leave you with some cool drawings for inspiration - if you still haven’t figured out what to draw when you’re bored, just look at the gallery and choose what you like!
All children love to draw. But sometimes things don’t turn out the way a child wants. Or maybe he doesn’t have enough familiar ways to express himself? Then you can inspire him to experiment with different techniques, among which there is sure to be a favorite one. After this, your child will probably want to invent something new.
Bright Side I have collected the most interesting techniques for you.
Dot patterns
First we draw the simplest squiggle. Then, using a cotton swab and paints (gouache or acrylic), we make intricate patterns as desired. It is better to pre-mix the paints and dilute them slightly with water on the palette.
Frottage
A technique familiar and loved by many since childhood. We place an object with a slightly protruding relief under a sheet of paper and paint over it with pastel, chalk or an unsharpened pencil.
Foam prints
Having dipped a sponge in thick gouache, the child can draw landscapes, bouquets of flowers, lilac branches or animals.
Blotography
One option: drop paint on a sheet and tilt it in different directions to create an image. Second: the child dips the brush into the paint, then places the blot on a sheet of paper and folds the sheet in half so that the blot is imprinted on the second half of the sheet. Then he unfolds the sheet and tries to understand who or what the drawing resembles.
Hand and foot prints
It's simple: you need to dip your foot or palm in the paint and make an imprint on paper. And then use your imagination and add a couple of details.
Paint patterns
For such an application you need to apply a thick layer of paint onto the paper. Then, using the opposite end of the brush, scratch patterns on the still wet paint - various lines and curls. When dry, cut out the desired shapes and paste them onto a thick sheet of paper.
Fingerprints
The name speaks for itself. You need to paint your finger with a thin layer and make an imprint. A couple of strokes with a felt-tip pen - and you're done!
Monotype
A design is applied to a flat, smooth surface (for example, glass) with paint. Then a sheet of paper is applied, and the print is ready. To make it more blurry, the sheet of paper must first be wetted. Once everything is dry, you can add details and outlines if desired.
Scratch
The highlight of the work is that the drawing needs to be scratched. A sheet of cardboard is densely shaded with spots of multi-colored oil pastel. Then you need to mix black gouache with soap on a palette and paint over the entire sketch. When the paint is completely dry, use a toothpick to scratch the design.
Air colors
Marbled paper
Paint a sheet of paper with yellow acrylic paint. When it is completely dry, paint over it again with diluted pink paint and cover immediately cling film. The film needs to be crumpled and gathered into folds, since they are the ones that will create the desired pattern. We wait until it dries completely and remove the film.
How to use acrylic paints correctly? This is a simple science, but it has many significant nuances. There is practically no need to learn how to apply them correctly on the chosen base - acrylic painting does not require any special techniques. Quite the contrary - with these paints you can work in any style and on any surface. Acrylic is perfect for working with both a palette knife and regular art brushes. The structure of the paints allows you to draw thin graceful lines and broad strokes in the picture with equal success.
Today we will look at what is better to draw on acrylic paints.
How to paint with acrylic paints on canvas?
Canvas - this is an ideal base for acrylic, because on it opens up best qualities this paint. Among them are:
- water resistance - acrylic is essentially a liquid plastic, which is why after drying it is completely waterproof, and it is at least very difficult to damage it in conditions of high humidity;
- The transparency of the paint can vary depending on your wishes. This is very simple to do - just dilute it with water (however, no more than 20%);
- mixing. In order to get the desired shade, darken or slightly lighten the tone of acrylic, simply mix several of the desired colors.
Thus, to the question: “Is it possible to do acrylic painting?”, the answer will be unequivocal - of course, yes. Moreover, you can work in absolutely any technique, since acrylic is ready for any challenge.
If you paint with acrylic paints on canvas, then you need to adhere to the following rules:
- Before you start painting, make sure your paints are in good condition. Keep in mind that acrylic dries quickly, and the drier it is, the more difficult it is to work with. Therefore, do not forget to periodically wet the palette with water.
- Start with drawing large details, change large brushes to thinner ones. Think about it: perhaps it will be more convenient for you to paint large areas with a more transparent tone, and make the details bright.
- Periodically dry your brushes with a clean cloth.
- Don't be afraid to mix it up different colors and mix the paint with water in the correct proportion (no more than 20 percent water).
How to paint with acrylic paints on nails?
The water resistance and vapor permeability of acrylic attracted the attention of manicurists. They didn’t even doubt whether it was possible to paint with this paint on their nails, because it significantly expanded their capabilities. One tube of this wonderful decorative material could simultaneously serve as a base layer, translucent toner and modeling paste. It also has another very attractive property - it can be mixed with different solid particles, such as glitter and modulators. There are a lot of master classes on the Internet that will help you learn step by step how to make elegant drawings with acrylic paints on gel polish.
Of course, discussions about whether it is possible to paint with acrylic on nails coated with gel polish do not subside, because many still consider this material too toxic for such close contact. However, we hasten to reassure you - high-quality artistic paint does not pose any threat to health.
How to paint with acrylic paints on paper?
Is it possible to use this paint to paint paper sheets, and what paper is best to do this on? This is a fairly common question among those who use acrylic for the first time. And this is not surprising, because for this coloring material the correct base is very important. The fairly dense structure of the paints and some features of their use do not allow working with thin and smooth leaves. Therefore, if you want them to fit correctly on the base, opt for thick embossed paper or cardboard. This rule will answer one more very important question: is it possible to paint with acrylic on wallpaper? This technique of artistic painting on walls is often used in designer renovations. And all because a small drawing made by a master’s hand can completely transform a room.
What wallpaper can you draw on? The answer to this is not so simple. On the one hand, the chemical characteristics of acrylic make it absolutely compatible with any material, on the other hand, painting embossed textured wallpaper is quite difficult (but at the same time realistic). Thus, when deciding on painting finishing materials, first of all focus on the complexity of the design and your level of skill.
How to paint with acrylic paints on fabric?
As mentioned earlier, acrylic is absolutely compatible with any base material, so the answer to the question of whether it can be used to paint on silk or any other fabric is clear. Of course you can. However, before you start working on clothing, pay attention to the material it is made from. Natural fabric dyed with synthetic dye is more resistant to frequent washing and constant mechanical stress than synthetic fabric. Therefore, it is the composition of the material that will primarily determine whether something can be drawn on clothes, and on what particular item it is better to do this.
To apply an acrylic design to fabric, use step-by-step painting or ready-made stencils (this will not particularly affect the overall result). If you are working with such dyes for the first time, then it makes sense to first practice on an old T-shirt. This way you will accurately determine the brush number you need, as well as the desired paint thickness.
What can you paint on with acrylic paints?
As you already understand, the number of materials that acrylic is compatible with is truly amazing. You can use it to draw on almost any surface without any fear of possible consequences. The only question that is in doubt is: is it possible to make drawings on the face? There is no doubt about the excellent quality of the drawing, but whether you can wash it off later is questionable. However, the Internet is replete with ideas for painting with acrylic on leather (or rather, products made from it).
A lot can be said about the versatility of acrylic paints - they can be used to paint on felt boots, on ceramics and on a concrete wall with equal success. They are used even on an industrial scale, making drawings on factory dishes or painting jewelry.
How to paint with acrylic paints on wood?
When painting on wood, it is worth remembering that this material should not be painted without a primer - the material will absorb too much paint, and the drawing will turn out uneven. This rule applies exclusively to natural unpainted wood. When applying a pattern to an already painted surface, no primer is needed. However, when painting on plywood, it is still worth applying an adhesive layer - it will ensure reliable adhesion of the decorating material and the smooth base.
We paint flowers with acrylic paints
The technique of drawing a rose or tulip step by step with acrylic is no different from that used when working with oil paints, watercolors or gouache. This is often used when restoring furniture, accessories and jewelry. New material will be able to replace other types of dyes, and besides, it is also much stronger than them.
Acrylic coloring pigments are widely used in restoring toys. With their help, you can correct or re-draw the doll's eyes and lips, or even completely redraw her face.
You can also paint with acrylic abstract paintings, use abstraction to decorate a vintage box or transfer it to an old T-shirt. To be honest, there is not much difference in what to draw with this material (winter, clouds, and a Christmas tree turn out equally well).
There are no special secrets to learning how to paint with acrylic from scratch. However, it is worth knowing some tricks of working with acrylic.
Firstly, you need to make sure that the paint is always wet - acrylic dries very quickly.
Secondly, always work in overalls - then it will be almost impossible to wash off the coloring pigment.
Thirdly, monitor the quality of the paint. The thing is that unscrupulous manufacturers often use harmful and toxic ingredients. This is why it is so difficult to answer the question of whether pregnant women and young children can paint with such paints. This can be done if you completely trust the manufacturer and use well-ventilated areas for work.
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7 basic techniques for painting with watercolors, acrylics, gouache
A box of paints can give you an exciting journey into the world of fantasy. Amazing images, enchanting landscapes, fairy-tale heroes. You can learn how to create drawings with pencil and paints according to the instructions, step-by-step recommendations. Prepare a set of brushes and paper, sponges and napkins, simple pencils and sponges. Be patient and get started! Drawings with paints for beginners - that's what we'll talk about today.
Let's look at drawing methods for beginners with three types of paint:
Study this review and choose what you will be more comfortable working with when doing drawings for beginners. So, let's learn to paint!
How to paint with watercolors correctly
Beloved by many artists, young children and fairly experienced adults, watercolor can be used for painting in the most different techniques. How to learn to draw this magic paint, even a novice artist can easily understand. Beginners will be able to quickly master drawing techniques, and professionals will have inspiration and a whole galaxy of new ideas.
There are 7 basic watercolor painting techniques for beginning artists.
Paint with a flat brush
First, you need to draw an image of a square or triangle so that the beginning and end of the layer are marked. Then choose darker shades. Immediately use the upper left corner. Gently touch the brush to the paper, draw a line straight to the top right corner and draw a masterpiece!
Left-handers should draw in the reverse position - starting from the right corner.
Gradient
Start drawing with a square or rectangle. Choose a darker shade by mixing on the palette. Next comes a layer of light shade, it will merge with the previously drawn one to achieve an interesting combination of color transitions.
Glaze
Improvise, fantasize: a combination of light transparent tones will allow you to get great combinations.
You need to wait for each layer to dry.
"Wet" technique
For spectacular designs, you need to evenly distribute the moisture over the surface of the paper - this will provide a satin look. Start with the background. This drawing technique allows you to achieve a hypnotizing effect.
Dry brush painting lessons
First you need to sketch the image with a pencil. You need to apply the paint after you have removed the excess with a napkin.
No excess moisture
You will need to stock up on sponges. Excess moisture must be removed from the sheet. Do not rub the paper vigorously. This job can be done well with makeup sponges.
Technique for bleaching paint that has dried
You will need clean matter and water. It is necessary to wet the area of the drawing, gently wipe and remove any remaining moisture using a dry brush.
Techniques for using different paints
How to paint with acrylic
Acrylic paint perfectly combines the best properties of watercolor and oil, and after drying the paintings are not afraid of moisture and sunlight. Even a child can make simple drawings with such paints.
The universal properties of acrylic lie in the ability to apply each subsequent layer to the previous image. Unlike watercolor, you don't have to wait for a layer to dry before applying a new one. Explore easy instructions and get started!
To begin with, you can learn to use six colors. Later, the palette will gradually expand to 18 shades. Also prepare:
- The surface for the painting is wood, glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, canvas.
- A set of brushes made of synthetic and natural materials.
To obtain high-quality paint, it must be diluted with a solvent or water. Undiluted paint is used on synthetic surfaces and dries faster.
There are several techniques for painting with acrylic:
- Wet - on a canvas that has been moistened with warm water.
- Dry - using several brushes.
- The method of glazing in layers is to apply a thick layer and then paint a picture.
- “Impasto” – similar to oil paints, with wide, clearly visible strokes.
For a drawing, a novice artist needs to choose a base surface and paint in a jar or tube. Choose a drawing technique that interests you. Prepare a palette of colors.
Synthetic brushes are more suitable for working with undiluted paints. If you choose a watercolor technique, it is better to use natural bristles.
At the end, you can additionally apply strokes with a felt-tip pen, ink, marker, gel pen, or pencil. The simplest technique Even a child can master drawing from scratch.
Once you master the basics of the technique, you will be able to draw on fabric and glass, create aerial landscapes or portraits. Even painting your favorite T-shirt will be easy if you learn how to work with acrylic.
On video: step by step lessons acrylic painting.
How to draw with gouache
Drawings gouache paints for beginners, children learn in early age. This paint is loved by kids for its ease of application and because the image does not blur, unlike watercolors. Gouache allows you to get more vibrant drawings.
For older people, instructions from the Internet will help them create a unique landscape. The basis of the pattern can be the following surfaces:
There are the following types of gouache:
Immediately draw a sketch with a simple pencil. When learning to draw, start with dark shades, gradually moving to light tones. Mix paints on color wheel. Step-by-step drawing with children will allow you to get beautiful images on paper.
If you mix adjacent colors in a sector, you will get a dirty shade. Shadow can be rendered with green, blue or purple, but not black.
Whatever technique you choose, the main thing is that inspiration comes to you. We wish that all your works are successful, that you like them, and that they give you ideas for further creativity. With the help of such an activity you can throw out your emotions and impressions. Draw with confidence and pleasure!
Master classes on painting with watercolors and gouache (2 videos)
What to draw when you're bored?
What can you draw when you're bored? A question to which lessdraw.com actually has a hundred answers, but let's talk about everything in order.
The simplest ideas for beginners
Not all of us can draw well, and we don’t really want to bother with complex drawings in those moments when we’re just bored. I offer a whole set of cool and interesting drawings that you can draw in those moments when you or your child really want to take up drawing to kill boredom:
More ideas
What else can you draw when you're bored? Let's get creative.
I’ll leave you with some cool drawings for inspiration - if you still haven’t figured out what to draw when you’re bored, just look at the gallery and choose what you like!
Drawing lessons
How to draw a landscape step by step
Drawing with paints is not only very interesting, but also educational. The landscape, executed in different techniques, calms and gives positive emotions and fosters in the artist a sense of beauty.
From our lesson you will learn how to draw a landscape step by step and what you will need for this.
Landscape
Painting with watercolor or gouache provides a wide choice of landscapes. 
For example, one of the most impressive subjects for drawing is mountains. They can be either smooth, like a mountain range, or sharp. By depicting mountains, you have the opportunity to show the contrast between sky and earth, high plains and slopes.
Another significant point is the weather. It’s very exciting to draw winter mountains: you can “play” with shadow and light, with various shades and reflexes on the white snow. Ultramarine, yellowish, turquoise, ocher or burgundy color– all this is quite appropriate on snow cover. The main thing is to choose the right color scheme.
A summer landscape depicting mountains will be no less interesting for novice artists. Picturesque and beautiful: warm shades of grass or cool colors on pine branches, a riot of greenery and colors. At the same time, you do not need to carefully draw them - the bolder and freer the brush lies in your hand, the easier and more relaxed the picture will be.
Important: landscape is not only nature, but also a certain atmosphere, into the creation of which we invest our mood and emotions.
Where does the landscape begin?
Any drawing must begin with a layout on a sheet of paper. Make the sky smaller than the earth or vice versa. Please note that these parts do not have to be the same.
If you are drawing mountains, be sure to think about which peak will be higher and which will be lower. You should not depict identical mountains, although this happens in reality. It is best to make them different compositionally, which will add a certain dynamics to your drawing.
Please pay attention Special attention objects located in the foreground - what is closest to the artist, that is, to you. The foreground is always drawn more diligently and in more detail than the background.
Now let's try to draw Mountain landscape gouache.
Landscape in gouache step by step: drawing mountains
Stage 1
Take special A3 drawing paper and make a preliminary sketch, mixing white and blue gouache, paint over the sky. While it is still wet, paint clouds with white gouache, using a circular motion with the brush to create a mixture of colors. Using this technique will make the sky cloudy and a little fantastical. 
Stage 2
Let's move on to the image of the mountains. Mix white gouache with blue, add a little purple and completely paint over the mountains. Mix the same color with white and immediately paint over the areas of the mountains that are located in the light. In order not to disturb the aerial perspective at the base of the mountains, make the color light. 
Now comes the fun part! Do you want to learn how to draw a landscape step by step for beginners? various options? Then let's draw snow-capped mountains.
Stage 3
Using a palette knife, scoop up some whitewash and, pressing lightly until the paint is dry, use the tip of the palette knife to make slits on the mountain. Paint the shadow areas in the same way, only with a bluish tint of gouache.
Important: do not use a large amount of gouache and do not mix it with water - the paint should be thick. Practice first on a separate sheet of paper and only then start drawing. 
Stage 4
Mix white with blue gouache, and then use smooth strokes to walk at the foot of the mountains. 
Stage 5
Now mix blue paint with green and paint a forest. Add ocher or other shades of yellow and green to depict a forest. Use the same colors to paint the ground.
Stage 6
Paint the lake by mixing white and blue gouache and adding a little green. 
Stage 7
Final step. Again, mix the blue and green paint, and then, making large strokes, paint over future bushes. 
Stage 8
Using light ochres and greens, complete the bushes. 
OK it's all over Now. You have successfully completed the task and painted a beautiful mountain landscape.
More articles on gouache painting can be found in the special section
Landscape in watercolors step by step: painting a sunset
Next we will look at how to paint a sunset using watercolors. Everything you need in in this case– watercolor and watercolor paper. Shall we get started?
Stage 1
Without making a preliminary sketch and after moistening the sheet a little with water, start painting the sky. To do this, take blue, purple, pink and Orange color watercolors. You can draw the clouds the way you like, mixing colors and creating unusual transitions. 
Stage 2
While the paint is still wet, mark more dark color long shot - it should be different from the sky. And a little closer to you, using a dark purple tint, make the plan even darker. Also draw a small fluffy tree and leave the work until completely dry. 
Stage 3
Using a dark purple hue, paint the tree trunk, adding burgundy splashes in some places. Paint the ground with the same color to make it look as much like the roots of a tree as possible.
Then, using a thin brush, slowly draw tree branches of different widths and lengths: thick and thin, long and short. Make the branches a little lighter in the background and darker in the foreground. 
Ready! You yourself painted a colorful and very beautiful sunset.
So, we learned how to draw mountains and a sunset, but no less interesting will be a detailed analysis of landscape painting techniques and the nuances of choosing paint: gouache or watercolor.
More articles on watercolor painting can be found in the special section
There are many techniques to paint a landscape with paints. But if you are a beginner artist, then step by step drawing It will be easier using gouache. It is easy to use: it has no specific odor, easily mixes with water and washes off. Any brushes are suitable for working with gouache, but it is best to give preference to pony or synthetic brushes.
This technique is also suitable for beginners because if you make a mistake, it can be easily corrected by painting it with another layer of paint. In addition, the next layer applied to the dried pigment will not mix with the previous one. The main difference between gouache and acrylic oil paints– she can draw more freely, without fear of making a mistake. 
It doesn’t matter how you draw parts of the picture - all at once or separately. For example, you can first paint over the ground and sky with gouache, and then paint the foreground, trees and clouds.
Note: to speed up your work, apply paint to objects immediately, without leaving it “for later.” Agree, it is much easier to do everything in one stage, rather than wait for the painting to “dry”.
This option for painting a landscape is no less interesting and is also quite suitable for beginning artists. You can easily master the watercolor technique if you know some tricks and important rules.
Painting with watercolors is primarily about working with layers. The paint is translucent, which means mixing each new layer with the previous one cannot be avoided.
- Errors are excluded - this is what anyone who picks up watercolors needs to know.
- The key to success is thick paper. Rough special surface absorbs perfectly watercolor paint and guarantees a good effect.
- Nearby objects must be painted with bright colors, everything else must be mixed with water and pale. Unlike oil, acrylic or gouache, watercolors are written “liquidly”.
- When working with watercolors, it is best to use brushes with natural squirrel or pony bristle.
And, of course, do not forget that painting a landscape with paints in several stages is a rather difficult task for a beginning artist. Many questions arise here: how to arrange everything on a sheet, how to get a certain color, how to highlight this or that object, etc. Answers come only with experience.
The best advice that can be given to all beginners in painting is to practice more - draw the most ordinary objects. Remember that the sooner you understand that realism directly depends on highlighting some details and creating contrast, the sooner everything will work out.
So what is landscape? This good workout for any artist that doesn't allow you to get away from main topic images and at the same time gives freedom of imagination.
If you're tired of regular watercolor and oil - try painting with acrylic paints, which combine the properties of both materials. The peculiarity is that dried paintings are not afraid of water and sun, so they remain forever the way you created them. To master this kind of creativity, use the instructions below.
Drawing with acrylic paints for beginners step by step
Acrylic is often used for arts and crafts. It is universal, and unlike watercolors, it allows you to apply one layer to another without the danger of damaging the already applied drawing. The scope for creativity is expanding - you can create any picture. The main thing is to know how to paint with acrylic paints correctly and take into account all the recommendations for this process.
How to use acrylic paints for painting
For a beginning artist, 6 colors will be enough. Having learned to use acrylic, you can expand your palette to 12 or 18 shades. In addition, you will also need something on which you can paint with acrylic paints. What to use:
- The most suitable as a basis for paintings different materials– wood, glass, plastic, thick paper or cardboard, canvas and even metals.
- Brushes can be natural or synthetic.
- It is allowed to use a palette knife. If properly diluted with water, even an airbrush can be used.
You need to dilute acrylic paints for painting on a palette with a special solvent or water, adding them little by little to the acrylic so that the consistency becomes similar to watercolor. When such translucent layers are applied to a painting one after another, a very interesting effect is obtained. For undiluted acrylic, only synthetic flat and wide brushes are suitable, but you need to paint quickly, because the drying speed of the paint increases.
Drawing techniques
Before painting with acrylic paints, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the techniques in which paintings are made. Among the main methods of creating canvases are:
- Wet technique. It involves applying diluted paints onto a canvas moistened with warm water.
- The “dry” method. To paint a picture using this technique, it is recommended to use several brushes at once, which can be used to edit the composition on a dry canvas.
- "Glassing in layers." A thick acrylic layer is applied with a brush, on which a picture is then drawn.
- "Impasto." The paintings resemble oil paintings, the strokes are voluminous and clearly visible.
How to paint with acrylic paints
You can paint with acrylic paints on different surfaces, but it’s suitable for every occasion. general instructions, following which it is easy to create a real masterpiece:
- Choose a surface that will serve as the basis for the future painting. Depending on its structure, select certain paints - the manufacturer gives recommendations on this matter on the jars or tubes.
- Decide on your drawing technique. For a watercolor effect, arm yourself with water or thinner and prepare your palette.
- Stock up on brushes - synthetics are suitable for undiluted acrylic, and it is easier to handle watercolor techniques with natural bristles made from ox hair or sable.
- Complete the picture with additional touches using a felt-tip pen, ink, markers, gel pens or pencil.
On fabric
Painting with acrylic paints on fabric can be a little more difficult for beginners, so it's worth practicing. Silk or cotton surfaces are more suitable materials - the pattern will fit better on them and will stick well. Before you start creative process, the fabric needs to be prepared - washed, ironed, stretched on a special frame or laid out on a flat and hard surface. Don’t forget to separate the front and back sides of the item, otherwise the paint can only ruin its appearance - put cardboard or oilcloth. Then use the following instructions:
- Buy a special felt-tip pen that is used for drawing on fabric, and apply the selected design to the fabric. When using a simple pencil for this, keep in mind that you will need to draw slightly beyond the contours so that they are not visible.
- Use artistic brushes to paint the fabric, using thinner if necessary.
- After completing the work, leave it to dry for a day and then iron it.
- Wash the item only 2 days after ironing in a gentle cycle at a temperature of about 30 degrees.
On canvas
For the first time, it is better to choose a smaller canvas. In addition, you will need a sketch made in a simple pencil. For the basis of your future painting, use ready-made photo drawings or rely on your imagination. On a separate sheet of paper, sketch out the options and transfer it to the canvas. Then prepare your brushes, a spray bottle with water, a palette and a cloth. Start drawing from the background and large details, thinking through the combination of shades. To prevent the paint from drying out, use a spray bottle - this will make the transitions between colors smoother.
On paper
It is better to take thicker paper, for example, intended for watercolors. Of all the materials, it is more economical and suitable for beginners, as it has shallow embossing, which is easy to apply strokes to. You can buy either an album or a folder with individual sheets of any format. You need to prepare a palette, a set of several brushes and water if you need to dilute the paint.
The simplest acrylic paints are suitable for painting. If you have already decided on a drawing, then start with a sketch too. Then start working on the background part, using a wide rectangular brush - movements should be fast so that the paint does not have time to dry. For watercolor technique dilute it with water or draw on damp paper, and for oil paper - apply in pure form using a brush with uneven bristles.
On glass
The most original is acrylic painting on glass. To do this you will need:
- toothpicks or cotton buds to correct the drawing;
- acrylic paints and varnish;
- brushes;
- diluent;
- contours to complete the basis of the drawing;
- palette.
The technique of drawing on glass is as follows:
- Clean the surface of the glass by placing it for 20 minutes. in hot water and then degreased with alcohol.
- Use a thin marker to draw a design, placing the sketch under the glass.
- Draw a special outline around the lines.
- Apply paint to the glass in layers, waiting for the previous layer to dry. Apply more paint to the brush and lightly touch the surface to distribute the acrylic evenly.
- When finished, rinse the brushes with water and coat the painting with acrylic varnish.
What can you paint with acrylic?
Having mastered the technique of painting with acrylic paints, you can create any painting, be it a light landscape with airy clouds or a portrait loved one. An individual T-shirt design and even wall painting will be beautiful. Standard waterproof acrylic paints can also be used for drawing beautiful patterns on nails - for example, for a French-style manicure. They are applied directly over shellac. If you are creating children's toys, then acrylic is perfect for drawing eyes on a textile doll.
Painting video tutorials
Acrylic is used to paint materials and even the body - drawings on the skin look very original and bright, so such works are even performed in various competitions. Such creativity has a more complex technique and requires a certain amount of experience and diligence. To learn how to use acrylic correctly, watch interesting videos about the stages of drawing a particular picture.
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