I’ve been painting for over 40 years. I have a degree in fine art and a Masters. I’ve taught and produced paintings and murals, one over 65 feet long. But I’ve also co-painted several pieces with novices, including my wife. It’s a lot easier than you think to make something special. So, whether you have never lifted a brush or like to mess around with paint, now read this. You have the makings of a terrific artist. It’s fun and easy. Let me walk you through the basics.
STEP 1: Go to a local hobby store like Michaels, Joann or an art supply store and buy a pre-stretched and pre-primed white 18 by 24 inch canvas, which makes an ideal starting size. It should cost less than ten bucks. I know you can get a six-pack for $50. While you’re there, buy four or five, 4 ounce tubes of Basic Liquitex or a similar, inexpensive acrylic latex artist’s paint. They should cost around $5 each. Pick colors you like or ones that will match the room where the art will be hung. Don’t pick white, black, or gray but shades of brown or gold are all equally okay to use. Remember, we want this to be as colorful as possible. You won’t even need brushes of anything else. You can always buy a cheap frame later, if needed.
STEP 2: Bring everything home and place some newspaper on the table you’ll be using. Lay the canvas flat on the paper and get a paper bowl for each color. To begin with, squeeze a quarter-sized dollop of each color into a bowl. Add a few drops of water as needed to make the paint flow well. Chose which color will be the dominant or primary background color. Add another extra squirt to that bowl and get ready to have some fun.
STEP 3: You will now spread the main color across the canvas. You have 3 options, depending on how messy you want to be. You can use your fingers and hand, dipped directly into the bowl, or cover your hand in clear, Saran-type wrap first and use that method, or use a brush. I like the hand idea because it’s more fun and you get more involved. Either way, dip into the color and spread the color over the canvas quickly without any attempt to cover it completely. Just swirl around the color here and there until at least three-quarters is covered. Now, without waiting for it to dry, pick a secondary color and go over the empty spaces, while overlapping the first one. Use quick strokes, smearing the paint.
STEP 4: Now, go to the third bowl and use either one finger or a thin (half-inch) brush. Dip into the paint and make side to side movements in all directions, covering any areas you choose without trying to make an object or picture. Try diagonal lines and curved shapes as well. Don’t let the paint dry and move on to the final color. Do the same with you finger, overlapping the last color and smearing and swirling as you go.
STEP 5: Now, go back to the first color and add a bit more water until it’s drippy. Then, pick up the bowl and fold the edge to form a small pouring spout. Pour or drip the paint from a height of a few inches above the canvas onto the picture, letting the randomness form squiggles and droplets everywhere. You’ll know when you’re finished. Let it all dry before placing it upright. You now have a beautiful abstract creation you’ll probably want to sign and frame. The great thing about this way of painting is that it doesn’t require any artistic talent. And if you don’t like the way it turned out, let it dry and paint over it with common household white paint. Then start all over.
Some words of advice from someone who has done this before. The more you allow the paint to ebb and flow, the better. Be quick, random, and don’t over-think what you intend to do. It looks best when done with a free and easy hand. And that’s the last thought. Use your hands; they’ll wash up just fine and you can truly say you have a hand-made piece of artwork.
Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years. He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master’s Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, “Pursuit of the Phoenix.” His latest book is, “Inside the Yellow Pages” which can be seen at his website, http://www.poweradbook.com and he is currently the Marketing Director for http://www.thenurseschoice.com a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.
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