Where to start? It’s difficult to know. When you start on your painting journey, the first steps tend to be finding things to paint. Then equipment, from paintbrushes to easels, the variety, and scope for painting is far and wide. There are oil paints, watercolor, and acrylic paints. You can paint on canvas, wood, paper, or even walls! But what we often forget is what to paint and take inspiration from. Let’s break it down and see where to start and what you’ll need.

Painting Inspiration

It’s the first hurdle on your way to a work of art. Often, asking ‘what should I paint’ is the most difficult part. You tend to have an idea of what you want to do, but is it too complicated? Will it take too long? When you find yourself unsure, go with your gut. Overthinking the process can lead you to put it off and inevitably take longer. Just go for it! Here are 4 ideas for easy things to paint:

Painting Nature

A long-standing source of inspiration. Artists like Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Monet were all inspired by nature. The vivid colors and serene landscapes inspired the great, classic artists. Nature is still an inspiration today and perhaps more so due to the ever-changing climate challenges we battle with.

When it comes to painting nature, you may want to start small, with a single flower or plant. As your confidence grows, you may evolve to entire scenes and landscapes. What is beautiful is that your painting will reflect the seasons through color and setting. Nature is a fantastic source of painting inspiration as you can take temporary aspects of your surroundings and incorporate them into a piece of work that will stand the test of time. Nature is one of the best things to paint.

Animal Art

Painting wildlife can be exciting, adventurous, and great stuff to paint! There are so many different animals and species that we may have heard of but never seen. From dolphins in the ocean to elephants in the wild, animals are fascinating to both observe and paint. 

When it comes to painting animals, it doesn’t always have to be exotic creatures, often painting pets is a fantastic way to capture the character of your wonderful animals. Go with what inspires you and use that to guide you.

Painting Places

While these can seem daunting, the reality is that they can be simplified. Easy paintings are created by finding your technique and applying both the color and lines in the correct places. 

When painting places, it’s often good to start with an outline and work your way in. With places and landscapes, there are so many details that placement is vital. To get a sense of depth, working from a picture and in small sections, is the best way to go. You can visit anywhere when you paint.

Abstract Art

Abstract art is a way to unleash your creative designs. With abstract art, you are not trying to accurately represent something, but use your imagination to create something unique. This could be achieved by using different colors than expected or changing the placement of objects. This way of painting is modern and causes reality and fantasy to mix together, producing something that is often magical.

Don’t know what stuff to paint? Abstract art can be easy paintings to start with. It is important to think about composition, colors, and creative designs, as these are the ways to make your abstract art successful. 

Why Should You Paint?

Painting is a process. The act of painting and motions you create are both soothing and therapeutic. Often, painting is attributed to calmness, serenity, and increased wellbeing. This all stems from the calming brushstrokes and gentle movements. As much as we often focus on the outcome of the painting, the process itself is beneficial and should not be overlooked.

This is why painting is a fantastic hobby to start. You can begin with easy things to paint and find yourself with a therapeutic hobby. Not only does it give you the ability to produce creative designs, but you can also benefit from the process itself. Art is subjective, much like most creative outlets and mediums. You can choose to paint intricate details or in larger, bolder strokes. Either way, you may find some painting inspiration and surprise yourself with the outcome.

Tools Needed To Paint

The tools and supplies you need will vary on the type of painting you do. Accessories and the quality of them will help to determine your paintings and how they turn out. There are several things that are used across the board, let’s explore those.

Paintbrushes

Your choice of brush is essential. From fine hairs to large blocks, the size and shape of your brush will help create depth. When choosing your paintbrush, it is important to keep quality in mind. Higher-quality paintbrushes are more expensive but more likely to last and showcase your brushstrokes. 

If you plan on painting with various types of paint, from oil to acrylic and even watercolor, we recommend you choose a diverse brush. This includes a paintbrush set that can facilitate all paint types. This way, you will not need to purchase multiple brush sets. 

With paintbrushes, it is also important to consider the way in which you hold the brush. Holding a brush is similar to holding a pencil or pen, however, your grip and spacing determine a few things. Holding your paintbrush tightly will give you more control and precise, bolder lines. Loosening your group will give a lighter effect and more fluid movement. Consider the feel of the painting and the type of brush strokes you want to place on your canvas. 

Easel

An easel is one of the most important accessories for your painting. When painting on a canvas without an easel, you often find yourself hunched over a table or trying to find books to prop it up. An easel is a great way to see your painting in its entirety and be able to work in an upright position. 

There are so many different easels on the market, from portable and adjustable ones to classic fixed ones. Consider your needs and what would be most appropriate for you. If you prefer painting from nature, a portable easel may be more suitable whereas if you prefer having a fixed space, a tabletop easel may be better.

Why Choose Us?

We have a range of prints that you can choose from to start you on your journey to painting. If you don’t take to the ones we have, you also have the option to customize your own! When asking ‘what should I paint”, the world is your canvas and there are millions of things you could paint!