scared to start painting

United States
December 12, 2008 10:32pm CST
A few years ago my mom bought me an art set. It has pastels, crayons, colored pencils, and watercolor paints. I have visions in my head about the things I'd like to paint, but just can't bring myself to open it all up. I know it's not going to turn out like I want and I'll be disappointed. If you are a painter, what were some of your first paintings of? How did you learn? What would you suggest as a beginners first project? Thanks.
1 person likes this
4 responses
• United States
18 Dec 08
I don't paint too much, but my suggestion to you is to just start. It might be difficult to get your ideas onto paper, but if you don't start you will not be able to improve. I think you should start with some basic still life painting and try to work on getting shading and demensions right. You could also try to copy a work that someone else has painted. This way, you are trying to mirror what they have done and you can get some practice with all the new paints and deciding which paint brush is best for your paintings. Best of luck with your artwork. Maybe you could post some pics of your work on here when you are finished.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Dec 08
You're completely right. The best way to do something is to just dive into it. I just hate to waste my supplies.. haha. but, how else will i get good? Thanks for taking the time to respond.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
12 Feb 09
Actually I had some of the same thoughts before I started painting. Some years ago my ex-boyfriend bought me some canvasses, some paintbrushes and some acrylics, but I didn't start painting till half year later. I couldn't get started, and I was afraid that it wouldn't turn out the way I wanted. Then one day I just started, and my paintings weren't very good, but I kept on trying and I kept on experimenting in order to find my own style. I haven't kept the first painting that I made, I threw it away, because I thought that it was horrible. I kind of wish that I had kept it, because it could have been interesting to see the difference between my first paintings and the my current paintings (5 years later). My first paintings were abstract paintings and today some of my paintings are also abstract, but now I combine the abstracts paintings with other kinds of paintings. I think that one of the best thing to do as a beginner is to experiment. Experiment with the colours, with the shapes etc. Simply try and see what happens. I have learned a lot about colours simply by trying and experimenting.
@busyB4 (874)
• United States
6 Apr 09
Take a picture of something you like or just set up two objects you have in your home and start drawing what you see. The main thing is to remember practice makes perfect. Since you have the things right there to do it , it is worth a try. If nothing else just blend some colors on a page and maybe that will give you some ideas to start with. No one has to judge you on your first attempt. Try it on a piece of paper and if you dont like it , throw it away, and try again. If you really have an interest for it, you will be willing to try to do a little better and not be too harsh on your first trys! Lett it be a challenge and go for it!! Good luck!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
1 Feb 09
beach - The second painting I done.
Hi tuckerbabies! I think the best thing to do is just do it. Here's my second painting and I done right after a trip to the beach..keep in mind it's my second and I was still learning. It's definately a trial and error thing.
@rajeshank (253)
• India
18 Dec 08
Hi no need to scare and all for this...first just start draw your vision in your mind and try many times which you feel came better select that and start your imagination painting on it your requirement of color and product you feel better because starting you will make mistakes latter you will learn from your faults yar...keep ging..:)
• United States
19 Dec 08
Thank you for taking the time and effort to reply to my post. I have found a picture I want to do and will start drawing it out tomorrow. Have a great night.