Starting Painting With ZERO Experience
Are you interested in making art, but have no painting experience? Want to start painting, but not sure what supplies to get? Today I’ve invited acrylic painter Jennifer Arzt to join me in a crash course on getting started in painting! We cover materials, classes, mindsets, and daily practices in this hour long class to get you making art (and doing it right!)
Join the Arts & Crafts Table, a Discord for creatives: https://discord.gg/Dz752tYpsZ
See Jennifer’s work: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferarzt_art/
Mentioned in this episode:
Liquitex https://www.liquitex.com/blogs/acrylic-knowledge/choosing-the-right-paint
Blick https://www.dickblick.com/
Flax Art Supplies (San Francisco) https://flaxart.com/san-francisco-store/
Artist & Craftsman (Seattle): https://artistcraftsman.com/
Get started in Oil Painting for under $130: https://www.stephaniescott.art/brushwork/2022/11/2/how-to-start-in-oil-painting-for-under-130
Gage Academy (Seattle and online): https://gageacademy.org/ Starting at $390 for 5 sessions
Jenna Rainey (Online) : https://jennarainey.com/ classes start at $117
Terracotta Art Classes: https://terracotta.art/classes Classes and year long programs from $99-$7500
Skillshare: https://www.skillshare.com/en/browse/art-illustration Monthly Subscription
Art2Life, Creative Visionary Program: https://www.art2life.com/about-cvp/ Join their waitlist to see prices
This is Artify: https://www.thisisartify.com/homepage Starting at $47
Nova Color: For Acrylic paints https://novacolorpaint.com/
Gamblin 1980 colors: https://www.dickblick.com/products/gamblin-1980-oil-colors/
Jennifer’s starting from scratch, $1000 budget (About $84 a month) to become an Acrylic Painter:
Watercolor Paper, in various sizes https://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-400-series-watercolor-paper-pads/ From $5 for 12 sheets and up
8-12 colors, mid tier paints- Liquitex basics https://www.dickblick.com/items/liquitex-basics-acrylic-set-set-of-12-75-oz-tubes/ $21
CHEAP brushes, long handles. As many size variants as you can get. Try the hardware stores for very large brushes.
Find Free courses (youtube, in person gatherings, etc)
After a few months find a paid class. Community College, local academy’s, or an online course.
From there decide on more supplies, or more education
Stephanie’s starting from scratch, $1000 budget (about $84 a month) to become an oil painter:
10 oil colors, I like Gamblin’s 1980’s student grade colors. Get 37oz tubes to start with. I like the Introductory set (About $40) plus Hansa Yellow Light, Cerulean Blue, and Quinacridone Magenta. (About $15 for those three) https://www.dickblick.com/products/gamblin-1980-oil-colors/
Synthetic brushes, in a big variety of sizes and shapes. Long handled!! https://www.dickblick.com/items/priceton-aspen-series-6500-synthetic-brushes-blick-exclusive-set-of-4/ is a good start, but get more! $33
For big brushes on the cheap, look for Bristle brushes
Masters Paintings soap https://www.dickblick.com/products/the-masters-brush-cleaner-preserver/?fromSearch=%2Fsearch%2F%3Fsearchword%3Dmasters 1-2 oz should be perfect $7.15
Rags (cut up old sheets or towels, make sure to throw them away OUTSIDE when done with your painting day.)
Small bottle of Gamsol (for helping thin paint and remove color from brushes) https://www.dickblick.com/products/gamblin-gamsol-odorless-mineral-spirits $7.50 for the smallest size
Oil primed paper, and flat canvas sheets. https://www.dickblick.com/products/arches-oil-paper-pads/ or https://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-400-series-oil-painting-paper-pads/? is a little cheaper. Get lots and in several sizes!
Pallet Knife set: 3 is great https://www.dickblick.com/items/blick-painting-knives-starter-set-of-3-knives/ $25
Painting pallet in white or grey https://www.dickblick.com/products/new-wave-posh-glass-tabletop-palettes/ $25
Now find a drawing class! Live models are great, would also recommend still life classes. Prices will vary, look above for suggestions.
Drawing supplies 6B-6H $1.50 each pencil Tombow is my favorite https://www.dickblick.com/products/tombow-mono-professional-drawing-pencils/
A sketchbook 8x10 in or BIGGER I’m a fan of Strathmore 400 series. The spiral ringed books are great! https://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-400-series-sketch-pads/
An eraser, tape, viewcatcher https://www.dickblick.com/items/viewcatcher-3-12-x-3-12-plastic/ $10
https://www.dickblick.com/products/generals-kneaded-eraser/ $1
For the 2nd have of your painting year, look for a color theory/ color mixing class.
After this most of your material costs will go to painting surfaces and other upgrades to your education. That will use up most of the $1000 and get you very far in your art journey!
Host and artist Stephanie Scott breaks down the practicality of the art career with topics including: sustainable creative practices, social media skills, and mindsets to keep us in the studio. New episodes every Tuesday!
Submit to Brush Work: https://www.stephaniescott.art/brush-work-submission
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniescott.art/
Website: http://www.stephaniescott.art/brushwork
Music by @winepot https://www.instagram.com/thewinepot/
Podcast Cover photo by Maryna Blumqvist https://instagram.com/picturemaryna