Isabella Taylor
There’s something about winter that craves color. With all the snow, barren trees and foggy air, it’s hard not to imagine fall or spring taking over instead. In the meantime, painting could help you throw some color back into your life. It’s easy to get started with painting; the only initial cost is a set of watercolors or acrylics, a canvas or a watercolor paper pad, and a brush.
No. One Don’t Turn On The Perfectionist
I know it’s hard not to listen to that little voice in your head screaming, “That was out of the lines!” But you’re going to have to try. Obviously, it’s ridiculous to assume a beginner artist would have the ability to recreate the Mona Lisa, but the critic inside of you would get angry if you couldn’t do it first try! There’s a time to turn on the perfectionist, but there’s also a larger amount of time–in the beginning–to keep them sedated.Â
A tip for keeping the perfectionist at bay is allowing yourself to have a messy first draft. You can have a rough draft in painting too; it might look like organic blobs of color that you redefine later, or a light sketch that you paint over. Just don’t listen to that nagging voice in your head, it’s only sucking the joy out of something that should be fun!
No. Two Go Outside
Painting is already rather Transcendentalist, and what better way to channel your inner Thoreau than to go outside as well? If you paint outside, not only do you avoid a large mess, but your inspiration is all around you. You could paint a sunset as it falls, or a barren tree as it shakes in the wind. Also, the Sun is good for you, believe it or not, and painting while soaking up some vitamin D couldn’t hurt.
Here’s some science behind the Sun; according to Dr. Robert Ashley, MD, the Sun is a wonderful source of vitamin D3, which compels our skin to produce vitamin D with the help of the liver and kidneys. In the winter, Dr. Robert recommends about two hours of sun exposure, as only about 10% of the body is exposed to the Sun. Therefore, you might as well spend those two hours bundled up in a blanket with your paintbrush and canvas!
No. Three Don’t Worry About Expensive Materials
Paint can range from $5 to $ 100 or more easily. Brand names change prices, and so does saturation content. However, when you’re just starting out, don’t worry about getting anything over $10 for your first set, and even then, the set could come with a paintbrush as well.Â
Amazon produces an excellent example of what I’m recommending for first-time painters!
If you splurge on a paint set early on, then determine that painting isn’t your thing, you might develop some guilt from leaving an expensive set lying around your house. If you decide to paint again, it would likely be due to guilt, and the fun would be drained from the activity. That’s why I recommend getting a cheap paint set first, then possibly buying a better set if you enjoy the activity!
Hopefully, these quick tips will help you get started. Happy painting from Her Campus at Clemson University!