Do you feel you lack the creative bone? Have no inspiration for drawing other than stick figures? If so, it may be time for you to reconsider your so-called artistic limitations. Beauty in art is completely in the eye of the beholder, and everyone is capable of creating art worth viewing. Even if you do not feel your finished pieces match your expectations, the simple act of creating art is good for your emotional and mental well-being. Included here are a few painting styles that should get those creative juices flowing.
Acrylics
One of the darlings of the art world, acrylic painting has long been favored for its varied texture and vibrant color. Park West Gallery artist Simon Bull uses acrylics as a means to convey his religious relationship with God as well as deeper themes about the universe. Inspired by the South American rainforest as a child, it is easy to see why the brilliant colors of acrylics spoke to Bull as his prefered medium.
If you are new to painting, acrylics can be a fun way to express yourself through color and shape. Like Bull, you can attempt to let the paintbrush flow and communicate more vague, open-ended ideas up for interpretation. You can also explore acrylic pouring, which could be a fun and easy way to create unique abstract works of art. Keep in mind, things do not have to appear on canvas exactly as they do to the human eye.
Watercolor
A more forgiving medium, watercolor can be perfect for the relaxed painter. Watercolors do not create such strong, bold lines and can easily be blended and altered. Brush strokes are not as definitive in watercolor, so your images can appear aged and old-timey. Keep in mind that colors may not appear as vibrant but your capacity to use light and shading may be more available.
Ink Brush
An ancient method of painting, ink pictures are created using a thick black ink with a long bamboo brush. Similar to watercolor, ink paintings utilize the bleeding nature of water to create a smoother look. Ink paintings are usually studies in grey, black and white and can be incredibly striking when mastered. This is a nice painting style if you want to blend the seamless texture of watercolor with some of the bold strokes available in acrylic.
Tempura Painting
A beautiful blend of water soluble paints and bright colors, tempura paints are a favorite for beginning painters. Created as small cakes of pigment that are easily mixed with water, tempura allows some blending as in watercolor but also offers vibrant color as found in acrylics. Because tempura is a fast drier it allows for great precision when creating bold lines in painting. When dry, this paint appears with a smooth, matte finish.