Painting Ideas For Beginners on Paper

A cactus painting is the perfect beginner’s project as it doesn’t have many small details. It is also an excellent way to practice using your palette knife.

Learn to paint with unconventional tools like a fork! You can also use cotton balls and q-tips for more fun effects. You may even want to rope in your friends for this one!

Abstract Art

If you love the idea of abstract painting, but aren’t sure where to begin, try one of these easy abstract art ideas for beginners. They are perfect for growing your artistic wings before diving into a more complicated painting, like this galaxy painting or sunflower painting tutorial.

This simple abstract painting technique uses complementary colors (shades that sit on opposite sides of the color wheel, such as tangerine orange and cerulean blue) to create a fun, eye-catching piece of wall art. It also explores the use of symmetry by creating inconsistent shapes and lines.

For this geometric abstract painting, you’ll need some basic acrylic paint and a few brushes of different sizes. The painting tutorial also shows you how to use masking tape to help create clean crisp lines, which can be difficult when working with acrylics.

Another fun abstract painting technique is using the dry brush technique, which involves applying very little paint on your brush and then working it on to your canvas. This is great for adding shadows and other effects.

Flowers

Flowers are a great subject for beginner painters because they come in a variety of colors and don’t need to be perfectly realistic. This flower painting idea uses acrylics, but you can also use watercolor or oil paints.

Start by binding a few Q-tips together with an elastic band, then dip the bundle into acrylic paint and press them onto your canvas or paper. Continue to repeat the process until you have a full flower. This works well for hydrangeas, roses, and lavender.

For a more whimsical approach, try twirling your brush through the paint to create a flower-like shape. For a more realistic touch, add shadows and highlights to the petals for depth.

Another fun technique is to print flowers using vegetables like okra, green beans, or even celery. Simply dip the vegetable into a color and stamp it on the paper or canvas.

Landscapes

Landscape painting has always held a particular appeal for art buyers, critics and creators. From Hokusai’s famous Great Wave Off Kanagawa to Monet’s French Water Lilies, landscape paintings have captivated humankind with their grand majesty.

The beauty of a good landscape painting is that it can be interpreted in any number of ways. It can be a simple and clean line drawing, a loose abstract interpretation or something more realistic.

One way to make a landscape painting feel more realistic is to use perspective. This is achieved by making certain elements appear smaller the further they are from the viewer. This is usually done by using a vanishing point on the horizon.

Another way to make a landscape painting feel more real is by creating subtle variances in color. This can be achieved by painting a light background, a dark foreground and then adding details to the middle ground.

Still Life

Still life painting is a perfect way to practice your watercolors on a regular basis. It doesn’t require the same level of skill that a figure or landscape painting does, and you can work on it from the comfort of your home.

Use a palette of verdant hues to create a rolling meadow and add some puffy clouds. This acrylic landscape painting idea for beginners is sure to impress.

A leg of ham can make for an interesting still life subject, as the shapes and flesh tones are varied. Or, you could try a classic flower vase or a bowl of fruit.

For something more abstract, try color blocking a canvas. Use painters tape to outline a few coordinating shapes and paint inside them for a one-of-a-kind modern art piece. This idea would also work well as a triptych. You can even add gold leaf on top for a shimmering effect.

Animals

For another fun painting idea for beginners on canvas, consider an animal portrait. This can be as simple or as detailed as you like, and is a great way to practice your animal painting skills and learn how to paint realistically.

Painting still life is also a fun and easy canvas painting idea for beginners. From fruits to household items you see every day, you can use color and creative flair to bring these simple objects to life.

If you’re interested in trying something more challenging, you could try painting a galaxy. This is a little more advanced than some of the other painting ideas for beginners, but it’s not impossible. You just need to be willing to take your time and use the correct techniques to achieve the right look. This tutorial by Ashely from Lil Blue Boo is a great place to start.

Window Painting

Painting windows is a fun way to add some color and interest to any room. It’s also a great idea for kids, since it’s a washable activity. You’ll want to use window paints that are made for glass or acrylics, as regular paints won’t work well on this surface. You’ll also need some tape, paper towels and various paint brushes.

For the best results, you should practice on some scrap paper first. Also, make sure your paints are water-mixable so you can easily clean your brush between strokes. You can use a sponge to create large washes, blend colors and even create drips. Foam brushes are great for creating a variety of textures too.

Be sure to mask off any areas on the window that you don’t want painted, such as the wood frames and tracks. Also, protect these areas with painter’s tape if necessary.