Hot Painting Tips How-Tos


How To: Paint Carnation flowers in the Chinese brush style
In a special Mother's Day installment of their weekly instructional series on Chinese painting, Blue Heron Art's Henry teaches us to paint Chinese Carnations in watercolor, with calligraphy highlights done in ink with a brush. His grace and accuracy with both the watercolor and the ink would be challenging for many of the less-artistically-inclined to emulate, but the finished product is beautiful and should impress all but the choosiest of moms if their child were to make / buy it for them.

How To: Paint a Chrysanthemum in Sumi-e
Check out this video to learn how to paint a Chrysanthemum in the traditional method of Sumi-e ink painting.

How To: Make rice paper yourself for watercolor painting
In this two part video artist, Henry Li, shows you how to make rice paper shikishi board yourself for watercolor painting. You'll learn and quick and easy way to create your own material to eventually paint with watercolor. This is a great tutorial for all artist maybe looking to experiment with watercolors.

How To: Make Chinese watercolor paintings with the four treasures of chinese paintin
If you're a beginner to Chinese watercolor painter then you do have to do a little research and practice before you actually let your paintbrush hit the canvas. From using the right paint to the right brush, every single thing you employ for your art matters in the ultimate creation.

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: 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: Draw eight lucky sparrows - Chinese brush painting
Dive into the world of Chinese brush painting, a traditional art where each brush stroke of the painting is neither improved upon nor corrected. The artist must get it right from first to last stroke!

How To: Spray paint with a layering technique
Try out a layering technique using spray paint. Always wear a mask when painting with spray paint indoors. Create interesting compositions on old shopping bags. Add depth and tone to stencils by building up layers of material texture, drawing and spray paint. Dry your work with a heat gun if you have one.

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 believable rocks
Wilson Bickford teaches us how to paint believable rocks in this tutorial. To begin, you will first start with an easel and several paints. Wet your small paint brush with a mixture of brown and black and paint a rock shape on the paper. You will do this by drawing many lumps and bumps to make it look like a natural rock. Use white paint on the side of the rock to give it a light glare where the sun would naturally hit it. To finish the rock, paint on browns to it, to add a dirt color and mak...

How To: Do Acrylic Painting on Feathers
In this video series, watch as artist Carolyn Travisano teaches how to d acrylic painting on feathers. Learn how to choose the feathers, choose brushes, choose paint, how to get inspiration, how to prepare the paint pallet, how to design a layout, how to fill in colors, how to do stage comparisons, how to work the feathers, how to add detail, how to do shadowing, how to do the finishing spray, and how to mount the feathers.

How To: Paint a blue sky with clouds using watercolors
A quick demo from my studio on how to paint a summery sky. Blue skies with clouds can be a problem for some, so watch this real-time demo to help learn how to do it.

How To: Pick the right brushes for fabric painting
Fabric painting is a fun hobby, but like most styles of painting there are a dizzying array of tools available to choose from. This video will teach you about different kinds of fabric paint brushes and how to choose the right one for your project.

How To: Use acetate sheet to develop watercolor painting
This video teaches the secrets of using acetate sheet to develop watercolor painting. Some tips of using acetate sheet to develop watercolor painting are: Acetate sheets will come to use mainly when painting flowers, nature, birds, animals, etc. (e.g., flower in this video). In this case first finish painting the flower and some easy parts. Now painting the weeds is difficult as you may find it tough to get it in the right area. Now you can place an acetate on top of your painting and draw th...

How To: Use Bitumen and glue to add texture to paint
This instructional painting video demonstrates how to create texture and layers to a mixed media painting using Bitumen and glue. You will also need acrylic paint, contact glue, a spray paint, rust protector, and some type of thinner. Experiment with these materials to generate unique texture to a collage or painting.

How To: Paint a Fender Telecaster electric guitar
This video will show you the steps to wire in a humbucker and coil into a Fender Telecaster electric guitar. And you'll get to learn how to paint it as well! What's humbucker? Well, it's a type of electric guitar pickup, that'll help you improve your rocking out. What are you waiting for? Get some sandpaper, paint, wires, and get started!

How To: Mount your Chinese painting or sumi-e ink drawing
Since sumi-e ink paintings or any sort of painting on rice paper warp the surface and create waves, they can be quite complicated to frame. The fragility of the paper is also something to take into consideration, and requires a special technique that won't tear the painting. Learn how to mount a Chinese painting or sumi-e ink drawing by watching this video framing tutorial.

How To: Do body art
This video series teaches you how to get started with doing body art at home. Christine Mendicino shows you which products to buy and which ones to stay away from and demonstrates how to paint on different body parts and come up with designs.

How To: Draw three Chinese oxen - Chinese brush painting
Dive into the world of Chinese brush painting, a traditional art where each brush stroke of the painting is neither improved upon nor corrected. The artist must get it right from first to last stroke!

How To: Paint the texture of water
Watch this instructional painting video to create a water like effect on the surface of canvas, wood or paper. Use acrylic paint and a spray bottle with some paint thinner. Spray the turpentine onto wet paint and watch the paint separate into shapes that look like the surface of water, splashes and wave patterns.

How To: Paint an orchid in watercolors
Watercolor painting is a great way to bring any artistic design to life. Learn how to paint an orchid using watercolors from a professional artist in this free painting video series.

How To: Paint cows and bulls in sumi-e ink
This video painting tutorial shows how to paint cows and bulls 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. Learn how to paint cows and bulls by watching this instructional video.

How To: Begin Sumi-e ink painting
Check out this video for a primer on Sumi-e painting. This video show you how to prepare your ink, table and brush to begin painting.

How To: Paint a Realistic Eye with Watercolors
This watercolor tutorial shows beginners how to paint a realistic eye. This video has been sped up 8 times.

How To: Paint goldfish in freestyle Chinese painting
The interesting thing about painting in the Chinese watercolor style is that objects, animals, and plants that look pretty simple, such as goldfish and snakes, are actually made up of a complex array of different layers and colors.

How To: Emboss with acrylic paint
This video discusses how to emboss using acrylic paints, like faux plastic.

How To: Paint your pet's portrait without an art background
Dog trainer Emily Larlham from Dogmantics teaches how to paint your pet's portrait without having a background in art. Colors used in this tutorial include Titanium White, French Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna (a brown), Burnt Umber (a dark brown), Alizeran Crimson (a red), Cadmium Yellow, and Cadmium Orange. Other colors that are a good beginners palate include Cadmium Red and Yellow Ochre.

How To: Use color theory to analyze color
Check out this video on color theory: analyzing color. It is important to understand color relationships and harmonies when designing everything from brand advertising, websites, video games, fine art, clothing and interior decoration. Tutorial video from Sessions Online Schools of Art & Design's "Color Theory" course. Part of Sessions' Graphic, Web, Digital Arts, Marketing, and Multimedia Arts Design certificate programs.

How To: Paint a wall landscape mural
A blank wall makes an excellent canvas for a large-scale mural to add a special and personal touch to any room. Follow along with the demonstrating artists as she transform the white wall into a landscape mural. When using latex house paints, be sure to create a design that doesn't not involve mixing paint colors, as they dont' mix well. Watch this video painting tutorial and learn how to paint a wall landscape mural.

How To: Make gum tragacanth for printmaking and painting
Watch this video to learn how to make gum tragacanth. This is the binder that is used to thicken natural dyes for painting, printing, stamping and much, much more.

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: 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: 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: Make an easy $20 DIY art easel
In this video, we learn how to make an easy $20 DIY art easel with Patrick Lawrence. Each side should be about 6' tall, and make sure you screw it into the wall when you are finished. First, you will hold these together with a carriage bolt that slides up and down the two pieces of wood. At the top, screw the screws into the wall and at the bottom, bolt it up the same way as in the middle using a wing nut and a big washer. That's all there is to making an easel yourself, saving you tons of mo...

How To: Design and carve a Chinese name chop seal stamp
Any artist who excels enough in his profession will create some sort of signature on his painting to notify other it's his work. Some painters, like Jan van Eyck, are cryptic with their inscriptions, putting it in almost impossible to see areas in the painting, while others, like Chinese painters, put their literal stamp on paintings with a carved seal stamp.

How To: Use opaque watercolors in Chinese watercolor painting
The esteemed tradition of Chinese watercolor goes back thousands of years and hasn't changed much in terms of composition, subject matter, and materials used. So back then as much as today sky dieties and kings would sip green tea outside pagodas perched high above the clouds, surrounded by monumental mountains and far removed from mortal space.

How To: Paint a Daylily in the traditional Chinese style
This video demonstration will teach you how to draw a Daylily in the Han Chinese painting style. It is very detailed, and should be easy to follow even for novice painters looking to improve their painting skills. The painter in the video talk you through not only what colors to use and the techniques he uses, but also the significance of the Daylily and the legends surrounding it.

How To: Paint an avacado
This is a silent video by artist Dan P. Carr. It is filmed in fast action, the video is approximately 3 minutes long but in real time the painting took 50 minutes to complete. It is done on a small canvas with oil paints. It shows the development of the avocado from a simple outline drawing to the final product that is 3 dimensional and uses light and shadow to give a sense of depth to the painting. According to the artist he paints a simple object like the avocado daily as a practice exercis...

How To: Paint pine, plum and bamboo in the Chinese tradition
With this two-part painting lesson, you'll learn how to paint "Three Friends of Winter," a traditional Chinese motif depicting pine, plum and bamboo — three plants admired for their beauty and, in Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, said to be representative of good virtue.