Essentials for Beginners: Starting Your Art Journey in Sketching, Painting, or Drawing

Starting your art journey can feel like a daunting task, but with the right tools and mindset, you can embark on a fulfilling path of creativity and self-expression. Whether you are considering sketching, painting, or drawing, this guide will help you understand the basics, the necessary materials, and offer some insightful tips.

Understanding the Art Mediums

When you are just starting out, it’s important to understand that each art medium—sketching, painting, or drawing—has its unique challenges and unique ways to express yourself.

Suited for Each Type of Medium

To determine which is best for you, consider what you enjoy. If you have a tendency to work with higher detail and precision, drawing or sketching might be a better starting point. If you enjoy a more relaxed, free-form style, painting could be the way to go. No matter which you choose, the key is to start and keep going.

Leveraging Reference Materials and Inspiration

As a beginner, it’s important to gather visual references to inspire your work. Collect anything that catches your eye and keep it for reference or when you feel inspired to paint or draw. Keeping a physical or digital file of color references, photos, magazine clippings, or anything appealing to you can be incredibly helpful.

Choosing the Right Art Supplies

Sketching

For sketching, having a good variety of drawing pencils is essential. Start with a range of hardness such as 2H, 4H, 6H, 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B. You will also need a good eraser and a pencil sharpener. A standard 8" x 10" sketchbook will allow you to practice and experiment.

Painting

When painting, you will need to decide whether to start with watercolors or acrylics. Both are beginner-friendly and affordable, so you can get a good set without a large investment. For watercolors, invest in the best quality set you can afford, as it significantly impacts the results. Acrylics provide more versatility and are easier to blend and correct.

No matter your choice of medium, high-quality brushes are a must. You will need a range of both round and flat brushes, depending on the techniques you wish to use. Watercolor brushes can often be used for acrylics, but not the other way around. Be sure to buy the proper brushes for the specific medium you are using and keep building your collection as you progress.

Additional Supplies

To properly practice painting, you will need a few additional supplies:

Water wells: one for rinsing and one for mixing new colors Paper towel and scrap piece of paper for testing custom colors A “test” strip for trying out new color combinations before applying them to your final piece

Patience and Persistence are Key

Become an artist by patience and persistence. Start with one medium at a time and don’t be discouraged if it looks complicated at first. We all have to start slowly and gradually build our skills. Keep practicing and have fun with it!

Final Thoughts

Remember, becoming an artist takes time. Whether you are a beginner or have an established art practice, there is always room for growth and improvement. With the right materials and a patient, positive attitude, you can achieve your artistic goals. Happy drawing, sketching, and painting!