How to Paint

An Intro

I wrote this post as a prelude to a series of posts from my website www.vincesear.com in the near future set out to help beginner painters, wannabe artists, and anybody else interested learn how to paint. I will include every "how to" paint resource I can get my hands on, so even if don't take away any of my advice at the very least you should find somewhere else that can help. I know I'm not the best painter but I will share with you everything I know about painting from A to Z, and if that's not enough you can use the links I'll provide. The purpose is to help you, I'm not trying to sell anything. My advice is absolutely free. So take it or leave it!

First let's look at why people paint. Why should you get started? People paint for a variety of different reasons.

• They might do it as a hobby, "Sunday painters" if you will.
• Some do it to let off steam. It is very therapeutic, the process of painting itself and the satisfaction you get from it.
• That leads to people doing it for something they can be proud of. When they feel they've accomplished something they can actually put it up on their walls for everybody to see.
• People paint for a couple extra bucks. There are plenty of people that can make a few dollars at fairs or flea markets, or on busy city streets with their artwork. There is a market for this, because not everybody who wants artwork can afford the stuff found at galleries.
• People paint for a living. Painting as a profession will never die. Even with all these technological breakthroughs, people still want good oil paintings hanging in their living room. People still want their portraits painted in genuine paint. Granted it takes a lot of skill to be able to reach this level.
• Some do it hoping to achieve greatness, with aspirations to be like the masters and to emulate them. A true artist rarely comes along in history. Could it be you?

Whatever the reason for painting, I highly recommend it. Most people come up to me and say they can't paint, nor ever will be able to, and I think this is just hogwash. Some people just don't feel like ever trying, and I understand this is not everyone's cup of tea. To each his own.