Hot Painting Tips How-Tos

How To: Paint an ocean in your composition

In this Fine Art video tutorial you will learn how to paint an ocean in your composition from Angeline-Marie Martinez, a professional artist. She shows one of the ways of painting an ocean in this clip. Her canvas is already painted with a back ground of the sky on top and water at the bottom. Her palette has a lot of colors like light and dark shades of blue, green and white. Take some white paint on the brush and pick up some of the other colors as well and paint on the canvas. The waves of...

How To: Paint on plexiglass

Watch this instructional painting video to begin painting on plexiglass. Create some cool effects using spray paint, paint thinner, acrylic paint. Make marks and unique textures using your finger, scratching tools and stencils.

How To: Paint a pomegranate

In this tutorial, we learn how to paint a pomegranate. First, paint the circle for the pomegranate. After this, shade the right side with a dark red and the rest with a lighter shade of red. From here, add in a medium red all over the pomegranate and then add another shade over that. From here, start to layer on more additional colors of red to the pomegranate to make it appear more realistic. When finished, paint on the background with whites and grays that are mixed together. Add white to t...

How To: Understanding the difference between ink & watercolor

Learn how to understand the Difference between Chinese ink and watercolor with Chinese paintings. There are several differences between ink and watercolor art. Learn how to spot these variations with this video tutorial from Blue Heron Arts. This tutorial shows the differences between Chinese and Western culture paintings, which is largely rooted in the use of rice paper in Chinese artwork as well as the stretching of the paper prior to painting. Additionally, different types of paints are us...

How To: Stencil with gravel and spray paint

Watch this demonstration of a spray paint layering technique. All you need is some gravel and spray paint to add a unique stenciling effect to the surface of your artwork. Use any object to create negative space with spray paint. Use this technique on collages, paintings, assemblage pieces, and clothing.

How To: Paint Bodhidharma with Sumi-e ink

This video painting tutorial shows how to paint Bodhidharma in Sumi-e ink. The Sumi-e ink painting process is a traditional Japanese painting technique from the Niigata prefecture, demonstrated here with a stone ink well. This particular style of painting complements this Buddhist drawing. Learn how to paint Bodhidharma by watching this instructional video.

How To: Create a Drybrush Painting of Bob Marley

I usually do step-by-step drawing tutorials, but I found drybrush technique to be fascinating and possibly superior to pencil drawing. Pencils are limited tools because they can only be applied with a point of some sort (with the exception of a graphite stick), while paintbrushes allow artists to think in terms of shapes instead of lines. If you look around the room that you are currently in, I guarantee you that you will not see anything that resembles an edge that a pencil gives you; the wo...

How To: Make Abstract Faces Using Ink Pads

This video shows how to paint abstract-looking faces using ink pads. The ink pads I use are Tsukineko Brillance Ink Pads but there are other brands that do pointy-ended ink pads that will work just as well. They are great for quick and easy faces to use in your art journaling.

How To: Stretch your own painter's canvas

This video begins with an unfolded painter's canvas unfolded on a table and a frame which will be used to stretch and mend the canvas. The canvas needs to be laid beneath the wooden frame. The canvas must then be stretched over the sides of the wooden frame and then stapled into place. After the canvas has been stretched and stapled over the wooden frame you can pull the corners to tighten the canvas fabric. After the canvas is being stretched within the frame you must let it sit until it bec...

How To: Stretch a painting canvas

This video begins by showing what a folding painting canvas looks like and what the final stretched canvas should look like. The first step shown is to make sure the bars are measured and marked with a simple A and B for easy measurement recall. After a wood frame is added over the canvas you must fold the material over the back of the wood and nail in place. Once the canvas is nailed to the frame you must add A, B, C and D markings to continue proper alignment procedure. The last step shown ...

How To: Use the cold pressed watercolor paper technique

In this tutorial, we learn how to use the cold pressed watercolor paper technique. Start out with one leaf, then use your brush to apply more color above it. Continue to apply the paint and try to blend it. It will be difficult to blend and get a smooth effect, but it will look great. You can also add your paint to the dry paper by brushing on more paint and creating different layers with your brush. Once you apply enough, you will get the smooth look with the paint and it will look great. Ei...

How To: Paint a cabbage rose using the one stroke technique

In this tutorial, we learn how to paint a cabbage rose using the one stroke technique. Start out by mixing together white and red with your paint brush. After this, add yellow to the tip of the brush and paint it onto the paper using your hand to move the brush gently up and down. Do this in a circle to make several petals into one single flower. Then, paint on petals around the inside petals to create a larger flower. Add in additional color to the center of the flower to make it pop out mor...

How To: Oil paint desserts with Hall Groat

In this tutorial, we learn how to oil paint desserts with Hall Groat. You can take a brush to create different textures on the painting. When painting bread, this can show the fluffy texture of it, which looks amazing! In this video, Hal is painting a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Use your brush to press down and drag the paint around, looking at the subject to see how it looks. When working on a doughnut, you will move the paintbrush around the top to create small sprinkles. Also add in ...

How To: Paint a red rose

In this tutorial, we learn how to paint a red rose. First, you will add some red paint to your brush and paint along lines of a rose outline. Use an angled brush so you can get a better accuracy while you are painting. After this, continue to paint around the petals until you reach the entire area of the rose. Then, paint the inside of the rose. You will then mix the red together with darker colors and whites to add depth to the flower on the paper. Once finished, you will have a gorgeous red...

How To: Use watercolor pencil techniques

In this video, we learn how to use watercolor pencil techniques. The rendering process is similar to those with graphite. You will use strokes, giving them different lengths and colors to create texture. You can do crosshatching on the paper so everything is darker and you are hiding the white. Burnishing is when you lay down dark colors to the surface of the paper and work more colors in, the white will work as a blender. The end result will be a very smooth finish with a slightly waxy feel....

How To: Use the watercolor salt technique

Vivian shows us how to use the watercolor salt technique in this video. This is great if you want to make underwater paintings and have a coral effect on them. The salt will cause the painting to look more rough and you can see the salt on the paper and how it absorbed the color. To start, you will wet your cold pressed paper on both sides. Then, add your paint to your brush and continue to paint. Don't apply the paint too dark if you are going to work on it later. When finished, let this dry...

How To: Use a round brush for multi-colored scroll work

In this tutorial, we learn how to use a round brush for multi-colored scroll work. First, dampen your brush and grab some bright colors. Take and lay the brush into one color at first. Then, turn the brush over and pick up another color. Now, you will push down and lift the brush up as you are twisting around. Next, reload the brush and do the same process over again. Use more of certain colors, then you will have gorgeous mixes of different colors. You can also add in another color at the ti...

How To: Paint pansies flowers

In this video, we learn how to paint pansies flowers with Marjorie Harris. Start out by using a purple color to paint the petals with a small angled brush. Then, move your brush in an up and down motion to create the petals. You can also use different colors with your brush to make the middle of the flower more appealing. Then, use black on a pointed brush to create lines in the middle of the flower petal. From here, you will be able to paint on the stem of the flower green to create a beauti...

How To: Watercolor paint a California barn

In this video, we learn how to watercolor paint a California barn. To start, you will take a small painted brush and start to paint the outline of the barn. next, you will dip the brush into different colors to create the inside of the barn and the details on the outside of it. Once you're finished painting the barn, start to paint the scenery that is around the barn. Use greens to paint in hills and then paint a fence with animals inside. Continue to add in additional details until you're fi...

How To: Paint in a Norwegian folk style called "rosemaling"

In this video, Linnea Rose teaches us how to paint in a Norwegian folk style called "rosemaling". With this, you will double load your brush and do the strokes in the correct way. To double load your brush, first dip one corner into a color, then dip another color into the other color. After this, stroke again in between the two colors. Next, go to your canvas and simply stroke a looped shake on the paper. Firmly press down with your brush and as your curve around you lift it up to the chisel...

How To: Make and arrange a painting palette

In this tutorial, we learn how to make and arrange a painting palette. First, you will need to buy a large palette that can handle a lot of different colors on it. Now, use the sides to add in the different colors that you are going to use. Use the middle of the palette to mix up colors while you are painting or doing different crafts. You can also use a large paper plate to make a paint palette if you don't have a palette nearby. Anything that is flat with a lot of room on it will work, so g...

How To: Draw the back view of a horse

In this tutorial, we learn how to draw the back view of a horse. Start by drawing the tail. Use a horse main brush made out of real horse main hair. Change to another brush to use a darker color for the rest of the body of the horse. Paint around the tail that you made to create the rear end and the legs that are on the horse. Also create the feet and make sure to just use one stroke as you are creating these. Next, creating a neck and then the head along with the main on the top of the horse...

How To: Paint orchid flowers with watercolor paints

In this video, we learn how to pain orchid flowers with watercolor paints. Start out by using a light lilac color on the petals. Use a thin brush to push the colors around on the picture so you have slight shading around the different petals. Use a darker purple color in the middle of the flower. Then, use a yellow color in the very middle. Add in a green leaf and stem on the bottom of the flower. Use a paper towel to smudge any excess moisture or water off of the flower to make it more prist...

How To: Build a pochade box for outdoor painting

In this video, we learn how to build a pochade box for outdoor painting. This box will hold two wet panels in the back and help you hold other things you need to carry. You will need a medium sized box first, then you will need to cut the back and sides of the top to make slits where you can place in the panels. After this, you will create a barrier for the middle that has two slits in the bottom of it where you can slide it. On the bottom of the box you will have a hold where you can thread ...

How To: Draw dragonflies in Chinese painting

In this video, we learn how to draw dragonflies in Chinese painting. Start out with rice paper, then soak your medium sized combination hair brush in water. Next, squeeze the moisture and then push the ink out. Now, position the brush so it's comfortable and touches the paper lightly. Draw the wings on the insect first, then draw the tail on the bottom. After this, paint a small circle shape for the head and continue to draw the other dragonflies. You can vary how these look by making the win...

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