Want to pick up painting but feel unsure where to start? Our guide offers easy painting ideas for beginners that will help you get comfortable with the basics. From abstract shapes to simple landscapes and florals, you’ll find plenty of projects that are fun and achievable.
Key Takeaways
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Acrylic paints are beginner-friendly due to their versatility, quick drying time, and easy cleanup.
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Starting with simple projects like abstract shapes, landscapes, and floral designs helps build confidence without the pressure of perfection.
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Exploring different surfaces and utilizing online tutorials can enhance your skills and creativity in acrylic painting.
Why Choose Acrylic Paints for Beginners
Acrylic paints are a popular choice among beginner artists due to their versatility. By adjusting the paint’s dilution and consistency, acrylic painters can achieve various effects, making acrylics suitable for styles ranging from abstract to realism. Acrylics adhere well to numerous surfaces such as canvas, wood, and plastic, providing endless project possibilities. Their water-based composition allows for easy cleanup with soap and water, ideal for beginners who might experience spills.
A significant advantage of acrylic paints is their quick drying time, enabling artists to layer colors without long waits, maintaining creative momentum. Additionally, acrylics retain their vibrant color after drying, keeping your paintings bright and lively.
For those interested in trying something unique, acrylic pour painting is a simple yet effective technique that can produce stunning, vibrant artworks effortlessly. So, embrace the art medium that excites you the most, as it fosters motivation and enjoyment in your painting journey.
Essential Painting Supplies
Gather the right supplies before starting your first painting project. Begin with quality acrylic paints; a basic set of six colors plus white is ideal for beginners. Although cheaper options may be tempting, investing in good quality paints can greatly enhance your color mixing and final results. Student-grade materials are a good starting point for those on a budget.
Next, acquire a set of synthetic brushes. A mix of flat and round shapes in mid-sizes (6 to 8) will cover most needs. Opt for a thick canvas, as it handles acrylic paints better than other surfaces. While palettes are ideal for mixing colors, paper plates can work just as well and simplify cleanup. Keep rags or paper towels nearby for cleaning and managing excess water. Finally, use specific soap for cleaning brushes to maintain them after your sessions.
Having the right art supplies not only makes the painting process smoother but also enhances your overall experience. With your brushes, canvases, and paints ready, you’re all set to start exploring the world of acrylic painting and bring your creative ideas to life.
Overcoming Fear of Starting
Starting a new hobby can be intimidating, and painting is no exception. Feeling stressed or overwhelmed by a blank canvas is common, but acknowledging this feeling is the first step to overcoming it. Easing into painting with simple projects, such as paint by numbers, helps you become familiar with the medium without the pressure of perfection.
As beginners, it's crucial to be gentle with yourself. Allow room for mistakes and understand that it's perfectly fine to dislike your initial creations. You can always paint over mistakes—that's part of the learning process.
Adopting a playful attitude enhances enjoyment and nurtures creativity. Begin with small, simple
Simple Painting Ideas to Try First
When ready to put brush to canvas, begin with simple painting ideas to build confidence. Over 40 easy painting ideas for beginners offer ample room for creativity and error.
From abstract shapes and patterns to easy landscapes and floral designs, these projects will allow you to explore different techniques and styles without feeling overwhelmed. Here are some of these ideas in detail.
Abstract Shapes and Patterns
Abstract painting is a fantastic starting point, requiring no advanced skills and allowing for creative freedom. Various brushstroke techniques can create eye-catching wall art. Blending colors, such as varying blues, can be particularly effective, resulting in beautiful effects. An easy and fun project is to make canvas wall art using glue and your favorite paint colors. For a more cosmic theme, a galaxy night sky painting can be achieved with basic tools and no advanced skills.
Abstract shapes and patterns encourage playing with favorite colors, lines, and forms. Use your imagination to create objects that may not exist in reality but look stunning on canvas. This process allows free expression and reveals how colors and shapes interact on the canvas.
Easy Landscapes
Easy landscapes are another excellent starting point for beginners. Beautiful scenes can be created by layering colors and using blending techniques. Painting a sunset with hot air balloons is a popular and simple idea, involving smooth color transitions and adding simple elements like balloons to bring the scene to life. These projects help practice blending and layering, crucial skills in landscape painting.
As comfort grows, try painting more complex landscapes. Begin with a light background, add elements like trees or clouds, and gradually build up the scene with details. Practicing these techniques develops confidence and improves the ability to capture nature’s beauty on canvas.
Floral Designs
Floral designs are ideal for beginners exploring acrylic painting ideas. Start by experimenting with different brush techniques to create various flower shapes. For painting lavender, basic acrylic paints and cotton swabs are simple tools that produce beautiful results. Another fun project is the Simple Flower Jar, allowing for color play and creating a vibrant canvas art piece.
Painting flowers is a relaxing and creative activity. Begin with simple flowers and gradually attempt more complex arrangements. The key is to enjoy the process and let creativity flow. With practice, you’ll create stunning floral artworks that brighten any space.
Easy Christmas Painting
For those looking to create festive artwork with minimal effort, easy Christmas painting ideas are a great option, especially when using paint by numbers kits. These kits take the guesswork out of color selection and layout, providing a simple way to create detailed holiday-themed paintings. From cozy winter scenes with snow-covered trees to cheerful Christmas gnomes and classic snowmen, there are endless possibilities to explore. Each kit includes numbered sections that guide you through the process, ensuring even beginners can achieve a stunning end result. With designs like vintage Christmas trees and nativity scenes, these kits offer an accessible way to create personalized holiday decor. Following the easy-to-paint format, you'll be able to complete your project quickly, making it a perfect holiday activity for all skill levels.
Fun Painting Projects for Kids and Adults
Painting is not just for adults; it’s also a fantastic activity for kids. Acrylic paints are less toxic than oil paints, making them safer around children and pets. A fun project for kids is using fingerprints to create unique art pieces, simple and enjoyable for all ages.
Another creative project is potato stamping, where kids cut potatoes into shapes, paint them, and use them as stamps to create patterns on paper. For older kids and adults, creating spirograph designs with straws is a fun way to experiment with colors and patterns.
Making suncatchers by painting the inside of glassware and adding strings for hanging after it dries is another idea. For a more personalized project, painting wooden letters allows kids to decorate their rooms with unique designs. These activities foster creativity and provide a fun, engaging way to spend time together as a family.
Exploring Different Surfaces
Acrylic paints are incredibly versatile and can be used on various surfaces beyond canvas. Experiment with painting on paper, stone, metal, glass, wood, fabric, and more, opening up a world of possibilities. For example, ombre color shift drip art can be created on surfaces like canvas and wood, showcasing the technique’s versatility.
Test a surface’s suitability for painting with a dab test in an inconspicuous area. This simple check helps determine if the surface will hold the paint well. Exploring different surfaces allows you to discover new ways to express creativity and add unique touches to your artwork.
Inspirational YouTube Channels
Learning from others can be incredibly inspiring, and YouTube is a treasure trove of painting tutorials. Channels like Angela Anderson offer easy acrylic painting tutorials specifically for beginners. The Art Sherpa features numerous videos and live streams tailored for all skill levels, making it a great resource for inspiration.
Painting With Jane provides an extensive collection of instructional videos, including live streaming sessions for interactive learning. Acrylic Painting Techniques offers a calming painting experience with step-by-step videos and soothing background music.
These YouTube channels offer accessible ways for beginners to learn acrylic painting, providing guidance and inspiration for your creative journey. Exploring these channels can introduce new ideas and techniques to try in your own paintings.
Step-by-Step Tutorials
Getting started with painting can be intimidating, but a paint by numbers kit makes it simple and enjoyable for beginners. Each kit contains everything you need to create a beautiful piece of art. Inside, you'll find a pre-numbered linen canvas that guides you through the process. The set of acrylic paints included ensures you have the right colors, while a set of paint brushes of different sizes allows you to have different brushes to tackle both large areas and fine details.
1. Colorful Lion - our top of the canvas painting ideas
The Colorful Lion canvas painting is an easy lion paint by numbers kit that’s very modern and it's shown in abstract colors. You wouldn’t believe how many people like this picture. The reason why it’s in our article today is because when you look at the details in abstract painting, there are not so many. The larger areas you are about to paint, the easier it gets.
2. Frog with Glasses - DIY canvas painting for beginners
Another easy animal kit that you must try is our Frog with Glasses Paint by Numbers Kit. Hundreds if not thousands have already bought this and it’s still a solid seller in our store. And what’s even better for you now is that it’s easy to paint.
3. Snow Mountains Lake
But people don’t just paint animals, that’s clear. Another big category that you can also search on our website for easy acrylic painting ideas is landscapes. Landscapes provide artists with many inspirations and variations of the topic – from mountains, forests, and rivers, to blossoming trees, flowing rivers, ocean waves, or fields of flowers playing with so many colors. The number of details on these paintings is bigger, but we do have easier ones. Here is one example – Snow Mountain Lake. A beautiful serene landscape with an interesting composition and an easy landscape to paint. The perfect reflection on the lake's surface makes the picture awesome.
4. Mini Blue Hydrangea
Make an amazing piece of art painting this easy-to-finish canvas. The size 20x20cm allows you to complete this project within a couple of hours.
5. Vincent van Gogh – Starry Night
A classic piece of art from the world’s most famous painter ever. Starry Night Paint by Numbers looks a bit weird at first sight, but you can easily recreate this masterpiece. Imagine how proud you will be showing it to your guests at home and telling them that it's not van Gogh who painted it, but you.
6. Paint a Butterfly
Butterflies are a fantastic subject for beginner artists, offering a range of easy butterfly painting ideas that can be both fun and rewarding. Butterfly paint by numbers kits are a great place to start, as they provide clear guidance and the materials to help you build confidence. These kits often feature vibrant colors and beautiful patterns that make your artwork pop.
7. Floral painting - use flowers to start your painting journey
Floral paintings are a perfect way for beginners to start their artistic adventure. Floral paint by numbers kits are a great option, providing guidance while allowing you to explore your creativity. You can begin with easy flower ideas like roses, tulips, and daisies. These classic blooms are simple yet beautiful subjects for oil paints that can brighten up any blank canvas.
8. Easy Easter Painting
Easter is a fantastic time to get creative with your canvas, and there are plenty of Easter painting ideas to inspire you. Easter paint by numbers kits are an excellent choice for beginners, providing all the guidance you need to create beautiful and festive art. Think about painting cheerful gnomes, vibrant spring flowers, or adorable Easter eggs to add a touch of seasonal charm to dining room in your home.
Summary
Starting with acrylic painting is an exciting and rewarding journey. The versatility and vibrant colors of acrylics make them an excellent choice for beginners. By gathering the right supplies and embracing the process without fear, you can create beautiful artworks. We’ve explored easy painting ideas, from abstract shapes and patterns to simple landscapes and floral designs, providing you with plenty of inspiration to get started.
Remember, the key to improving your skills lies in consistent practice and learning from your mistakes. By seeking inspiration from YouTube channels and following step-by-step tutorials, you can continue to grow as an artist. So, grab your brushes and paints, and let your creativity flow. Happy painting!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are acrylic paints suitable for beginners?
Absolutely, acrylic paints are great for beginners! They're super versatile, dry quickly, and you can clean up easily with just soap and water.
What supplies do I need to start acrylic painting?
To kickstart your acrylic painting journey, grab some quality acrylic paints, synthetic brushes, a thick canvas, a mixing palette, and brush cleaning soap. With these essentials, you'll be all set to create some awesome art!
How can I overcome the fear of starting to paint?
To overcome the fear of starting to paint, just dive into some simple projects and practice on paper. Remember, it’s all about having fun and learning from your mistakes!
What are some simple painting ideas for beginners?
You can't go wrong with painting abstract shapes or easy landscapes like sunsets with hot air balloons. Try your hand at some simple floral designs, like a jar of flowers or lavender too!
Where can I find tutorials and inspiration for acrylic painting?
Check out YouTube channels like Angela Anderson, The Art Sherpa, and Painting With Jane for great step-by-step tutorials and inspiration for your acrylic painting journey!