You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy painting. In fact, there are countless people who enjoy painting recreationally. It is a great hobby to have, and it can be beneficial for relaxation and anxiety relief, staying busy, and expressing yourself. A lot of times, people think painting is either for professionals or for kids in an arts and crafts class, but this simply isn’t true. Painting is for everyone, including those who have never picked up a brush before.
One of the best things about painting as a hobby is there are no rules to follow. There is nothing that says you have to use this paint, this brush, and you have to paint this design or that image. The whole point of painting as an art form is to explore and paint with emotion. If one day you are feeling sad, then maybe you will use blue tones. Another day, if you are feeling happy, you can use cheery colors. Paint from your heart and paint with emotion!
You don’t need to go out and buy tons of expensive or high-quality art supplies. You can always start out with paints from the kids’ section or inexpensive student-quality paints. If you go to an art store, you will see there are different qualities of paints, such as artist-quality. Unless you are in art school or an actual artist, there is no need to invest in expensive supplies.
If you are just beginning your journey with painting as a hobby, you might be wondering where to start. The easiest and most common way people get into painting is by using a canvas to get started. A canvas is a typical medium that is used for painting of all kinds. You can buy them in a variety of sizes, and they are available for very cheap (sometimes you can buy them at the dollar store) and can range in price to being very costly.
Feeling inspired and ready to get painting? We have a few ideas for you to help you get started. Read on to learn about some easy DIY paintings you can create on canvas that requires little to no painting experience.
Design a Custom Portrait
Do you want to start painting, but you’re not quite ready to dive into buying all your own supplies and attempting to paint images by freehand? No worries—we get it! Sometimes you want to dip your toe in the water before you jump in.
Paint Your Numbers is a great way to do just that while simultaneously allowing you to create a high-quality, professional-looking custom canvas. It is simple enough to do, but it also provides mentally-challenging stimulation for your brain.
Plus, it is super easy to get started. First, pick out a favorite image. Maybe it’s of you and your family, friends, or pet, or maybe it is a picture of the beach or a favorite vacation you’ve taken. Either way, once you decide on an image, upload it to our website.
Then, we will send you a canvas with your chosen image outlined on it. There will be numbers sectioned off all over the canvas. These numbers will match up with the numbers on the paint we provide. Simply use the paint with the same numbers of each section of the canvas and start painting—you will have a beautiful canvas painting in no time!
Create a Sunset or Sky
This is one of the easiest DIY paintings to start with when painting on canvas. Part of the reason for this is because sunsets (or sunrises) sometimes just look like blurs of color, and they don’t necessarily have sharp, specific details. Besides the general outline of the sun, the rest of your painting can have a blend of colors to enhance the sun setting or rising.
Pick out a palette of vibrant yellows, deep oranges, and accent colors like white, pink, and even purple and blue. Start by outlining the shape of the sun, and then you can add in swirls or lines of the colors. Work on a shading technique to help blend the colors together. If it doesn’t come out perfect, that’s ok; it will still look pretty with all the colors blended together.
Paint a Tropical Beach
This is a similar DIY painting to the sunset one, but with a few more details. You will need a few different colors for this project, including a few shades of blue, brown, green, white, yellow, beige, and tan. Start on the bottom half of the canvas and paint the sand, using a combination of the tans, yellows, and beiges you picked.
Then work on the middle of the canvas, which will be the water section. You can move your brush to create wave-like strokes using a variety of blues. You can finish it off by adding accents such as clouds or the sun. You can use the brown and green paints to add a tropical palm tree to the sand. By the time you’re done, you’ll be ready for your next tropical vacation!
Freestyle With Lots of Colors
This is one of the best and most unique DIY paintings you can do. Plus, it’s really fun. First, pick out a variety of all your favorite colors. They can be different shades of one color, or a mix of colors in the same color family, or just a totally random mix of colors. Once you’ve decided on your colors, go to town!
You can swirl the colors, create splatters all over the canvas, make patterns, or just paint all over, switching colors every so often. The end result will be a one-of-a-kind painting that will be great for your room or as a gift for a friend or family member.
What Type of Paint Should I Use on Canvas?
If you have never painted before, don’t stress about the types of paints, brushes, and tools you will need in order to make a masterpiece. That being said, if you are curious about the proper techniques and paints that should be used on canvas, we’ve got that info for you. While there are a few different paints you can use successfully, acrylic paint and oil paint are the two most commonly used paints for a few reasons.
Acrylic paint is often preferred because it dries quickly, and most artists find it easy to work with (meaning you can add layers and dimensions to the paint easily). For canvas painting specifically, a thicker acrylic paint will work best. With thinner paints, there is a possibility it will drip down the canvas (if it is on an easel or set on an angle). It pairs well with stiff bristle and synthetic brushes.
Oil paint has a much thicker consistency, which some artists prefer for creating certain techniques on the canvas. Their texture makes them ideal for use on a canvas as long as it’s primed first. Natural bristle brushes work best for oil paints.
These are merely suggestions based on the preferences of actual artists. That being said, you can always experiment with different paints and try things out for yourself. There isn’t one set formula that must be used for painting on canvas!
Conclusion
So, what are you waiting for? Head to your local art store and pick up some paints, brushes, and a canvas or two. Or, order your custom Paint Your Numbers! It’s a great way to get started with painting as a hobby. And, who knows, you might just fall in love with painting and unleash your inner artist! You can always use our custom canvas when you want a detailed and specific image or when you want to focus on filling in the numbers to help you relax.
If you want to try one of the canvas ideas we listed in this article, or if you are feeling like you want to freestyle and paint to express yourself, then buying paints and a blank canvas is a great way to do that. It is always nice to have options, especially when you never know what kind of mood you might be in. It’s always best to have both painting options on hand so you can express yourself creatively whenever (and however) you feel like it.
Sources:
https://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/wall-art/14-canvas-wall-art-projects/
https://homesthetics.net/best-paint-for-canvas/
https://www.creativebloq.com/advice/canvas-painting-for-beginners