Hot Painting Tips How-Tos

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: Understand color theory and the color wheel

Check out this video from Sessions on using the color wheel. Better understand color relationships, color schemes and color theory. This is a great lesson for designers, artists, stylists and decorators. Create color harmony using the color wheel. 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: Prepare to paint a portrait

Sessions Online School of Fine Arts brings you this tutorial video on painting. Search WonderHowTo for Sessions Online School of Fine Arts for more art tutorials. This video art lesson demonstrates what is needed in preparation for portrait painting.

How To: Gesso a canvas

You can’t expect to paint a masterpiece on untreated cloth. Here’s how to gesso, or prime, a homemade canvas in a hurry. You will need gesso, water, a plastic mixing bowl, a drop cloth, fine grit sandpaper and a house paintbrush. Tip: some painters prefer to use a squeegee to apply gesso, instead of a brush. The edges of your canvas will drip a little, so use a smaller brush to work the excess gesso back into the sides.

How To: Make a watercolor painting of an existing sketch

Learn how to stretch your paper and prepare it for painting in the watercolor style from this how-to video series. Pick up some techniques for watercolor, like wet on wet paint, using salt for texture, creating shadows, detailing, color choice, and finishing. Watch these video painting tutorials and learn how to watercolor a pre-drawn painting.

How To: Paint a mountain landscape with Aleven Jones

Starting with a glossy 11" by 14" piece of posterboard, artist Aleven Jones goes through the steps of painting a mountain landscape in this how-to video. This technique involves using spray paints, stencils, and knives as opposed to a traditional paintbrush method. Whether you're looking to learn to paint, or trying to pick up some new skills, this tutorial can broaden your artistic talents. Watch this instructional video and learn ow to paint a realistic mountain landscape. Paint a mountain ...

How To: Paint with a palette knife

Sometimes painting with a brush can be a pain in the neck. Try painting with your palette knife instead. You will need a palette knife and oil paints. Watch this video art-making tutorial and learn how to paint with a palette knife.

How To: Paint "Eternity" in Chinese calligraphy

Datong Xu currently teaches Chinese calligraphy and painting in Tucson, AZ. Watch this instructional painting video to paint the symbol of eternity in Chinese calligraphy. The eternity character also means, "flowing water". In Chinese art aesthetics, calligraphy and painting are of common origin.

How To: Paint bamboo in Chinese ink painting

Watch this instructional painting video to paint bamboo using sumi-e ink and Chinese rice paper. This fluid method of painting does not allow much room for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. You should go look at some real bamboo to absorb a real sense of the plant. Spirit and technique are required to paint bamboo in the traditional style.

How To: Paint a Chinese dragon

Watch this instructional painting video to paint a dragon with India ink and watercolor on Chinese rice paper. Use negative space to create a ghostlike effect. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some newsprint to practice painting these majestic dragons.