Painting Resource Service

Human Figure Proportions & Portrait Painting -- Don Jusko gives guidelines for the face and figure. He also references Elizabeth Vigee-LeBrun's thoughtful advice for painting portraits.

Tutorial on Composition -- We love this tutorial by Peter Saw. It teaches the fundamental aspects of composition in a fun, interactive way.

Arty Articles by Nita Leland -- A multitude of great articles on color, paint, technique, marketing, setting up an artist's studio, and more.

16 Lessons in Color Theory -- Learn all about primary and secondary colors, triads, and the fundamentals of color mixing. Learn how to use color to show perspective and how to create the color effects caused by both artificial and natural light.

Painting Shadows -- Tony van Hasselt discusses how local colors and reflected sunlight affect the colors in shadows.

John Hagan's Art Lessons -- Includes excellent tips for painting aerial perspective, light and shade, and portraits. Though he works mostly in oils, his tips are applicable to all painting mediums.

Color & Landscape Painting -- Carol Santora provides a good overview, but no pictures.

Making Waves -- Don Jusko gives guidelines for sketching and painting ocean waves.

Art Tips & Ideas -- A great bunch of articles provided by Curry's Art Supplies Store Ltd.

Painting Tips -- William Scott Jennings helps beginning and intermediate artists by sharing his insights on: the stages of painting, how to decide how much foreground detail is needed, and painting on location.

Essential Painting How To's -- About.com provides step-by-step information and essential techniques for beginner painters.

Art Studio Chalkboard -- Color theory, materials, and techniques as well as How to Stretch a Canvas, Ground Preparations, Painting Tools, Impasto & Glaze, Oil Painting Modifiers and Varnishes, Characteristics of Common Pigments, Oil Painting, Acrylic Painting, and Egg Tempera.

Painting -- A collection of brief painting tutorials covering everything from tools used to create texture to color theory.

Painting Q & A -- Testing colors, lighting considerations, materials, techniques, and more.

Color Theory -- Questions and answers about color and color mixing.

Before You Buy Painting Supplies -- About.com gives an overview of things you should know and consider before you buy painting supplies.

Brush Glossary -- Daniel Smith explains the various brush shapes and hairs/bristles available.

Brush Care -- Daniel Smith explains how to care for your brushes - a must read!

Stretching Unprimed Linen -- In addition to explaining how to stretch linen, this article by Daniel Smith covers the differences between cotton and linen, addressing the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Stretching Cotton Canvas -- Another Daniel Smith article.

Wood Art Panels -- Paul Solomon discusses the different types of wood used to make art panels, such as hardboard, MDF, plywood, etc, and the relative pluses and minuses of each type. He also explains how wood deteriorates, and how artists can take steps to prevent it. Moreover he provides important information about the adhesion of paint layers and explains why some types of primers are better than others.

My Canvas-Masonite Panel Support -- Susan Savad describes how to cut and prepare masonite panels for acrylic paintings.

Make Your Own Two-Sided Masonite Panels -- Durable, warp-free supports for artists who prefer painting on a rigid surface.

Recipes from Sinopia -- Make your own paints, mediums, grounds, gessoes, and more.

Basic Guide to Artists' Pigments -- Daniel Smith explains how pigments are classified, their various characteristics, and why you need to know about them.

Maintaining A Healthy, Safe Studio -- Daniel Smith, manufacturer and supplier of fine artists' materials, addresses this very important topic.

Using Art Materials Safely -- Daniel Smith provides advice specific to each medium.

Deterioration of Artists' Papers: Causes and Prevention -- A very informative article for artists and collectors alike. Provided by Daniel Smith, manufacturer and supplier of fine artists' materials.

Paper and pH -- Daniel Smith explains the terms often used to describe a paper's acidity.

Useful Paper Terms -- Daniel Smith explains the terms used to describe paper and its various characteristics.
 
 
 
WATERCOLOR & GOUACHE DEMONSTRATIONS & TECHNIQUES:
 
Bruce MacEvoy's Watercolor Guide -- A wonderful resource that provides lots of information about watercolor papers, brushes, paints, color theory, palettes, techniques, and more.

Watercolour Equipment, Tips & Tutorials -- Peter Saw starts with an overview of artists' materials used in watercolor painting, providing some suggestions along the way. Then he provides brief lessons in painting trees, rocks, and clouds as well as some in-depth articles about composition and color mixing.

Watercolor Terms -- Carol Santora provides a good overview of terms used in watercolor painting.

Stretching Watercolor Paper -- This article by Daniel Smith explains how to stretch watercolor paper with tape or tacks.

Oriental Brush Care -- A great article by Daniel Smith on how to care for these unique brushes.

Gouache -- A good overview of the medium by Daniel Smith.

Experiment with Color Mixtures -- Sally Drew teaches you how to mix watercolors and become familiar with new colors in your palette. An excellent way to learn about color mixing!

Sue Dickinson's Painting Tips & Demonstrations -- Sue's watercolor tips are wonderful. If you are a beginner, do not miss her invaluable advice for buying watercolor materials!

John Lovett's Painting Lessons -- Beautifully illustrated step-by-step instructions, techniques, and advice for watercolorists.

Pushing Watercolor to the Limit -- James D. Brantley's watercolor portrait of a "Southern Gentleman" is watercolor and portraiture at its best!

Watercolor & Watermedia Tips & Demos -- A wealth of information by Ellen Fountain, N.W.S.

Steps to Watercolor -- A variety of online watercolor lessons by Penny Soto covering topics such as painting leaves, flowers, and lace.

Basic & Advanced Watercolor Ideas -- Many watercolor demonstrations and explanations by Donald Clegg.

Abstract Watercolor With a Twist -- In this demo Charissa Thomas uses a plastic wrap technique along with opaque watercolors and gel pens to create exciting textures and abstract shapes.

Watercolor Demo -- Cyrille Jubert shows step by step how he creates a painting of british staghounds.

Watercolor Painting with Saltwater -- A new watercolor technique by Howard Relles.

Watercolor: Values and Hues -- A demonstration by Mary Spires of "Pink Azaleas".

How I Paint Mountains -- An excellent step-by step demonstration by watercolorist John Ebner.

Floral Demo -- Watercolor demonstration by Liz Fluehr.

Watercolor Demonstration -- Lian Zhen, a very talented watercolorist, demonstrates her process of painting in watercolor.

Watercolor Hints and Tips -- George Simmons generously shares his advice for working with watercolors.

Step-by Step Watercolor Lessons -- Online watercolor demonstrations by George Simmons. Includes subjects such as a flower, an old barn, and a lighthouse.

The "Direct Method" -- Watercolor demonstration by Janice Edelman.

How To Create Light with Layers -- Watercolor demonstration by Carole Katchen.

The Difference between "Mixing" and "Visual" Complements -- Watercolor demonstration by Hilary Page.

How to Paint "Backward" -- Watercolor demonstration by Ken Hosmer.

WoW! How? -- World of Watercolor presents artists' favorite tips and techniques for painting in watercolor and acrylic.

Art Tips -- A resourceful series of articles from watercolorist Arleta Pech that includes everything from her favorite brand of paper to advice on finding the right gallery and shipping paintings.

Aquanet's FAQ for Beginners -- Discussion topics include equipment, paper, brushes, watercolour paints, basic palette and colour theory, drawing, and basic painting techniques.

Floating Watercolors into Clear Water -- Barbara Nechis explains her technique for intermingling watercolors and creating, abstract organic forms.

Watercolor Lesson: "Homestead" -- William Powell gives a step-by-step demonstration in watercolor painting.

Watercolor Demos -- Margaret Crowley-Kiggins provides demonstrations of watercolor portraits and landscapes.

Free Watercolour Painting Lessons -- Rod Webb provides very detailed step-by-step demonstrations in watercolor painting.

Watercolor Tips and Demonstrations -- Joy Skinner provides a step by step tutorial for painting Irises in watercolor, titled "Hiding in the Undergrowth", and shares links to other online watercolor tutorials.

WatercolorPainting.com -- Greg Conley's website is a great resource that includes free watercolor tutorials, step-by-step paintings, a helpful glossary, informative articles about selecting art materials, and a brief history of watercolor.
 
 
 
OIL DEMONSTRATIONS & TECHNIQUES:
 
Oil Painting Demonstration by Scott Burdick -- Scott demonstrates how he creates a portrait of a beautiful young girl, providing thoughtful commentary as he progresses through each step of the painting.

Demos by Jason Morgan -- These demonstrations are very thorough and provide painting instruction from start to finish.

Brushes for Oil Painting -- Jason Morgan discusses different types of oil painting brushes, which brush to use for which job, and how to clean them.

Resins and Varnishes: Definitions, Descriptions, and Recipes -- Artist Ron Sanders provides an excellent article with very thorough explanations.

Drying Oils and Mediums -- If you have ever wondered how to safeguard your paintings from yellowing or cracking, you will want to read this very informative article from Ron Sanders.

Oil Painting Tips -- Carol Santora covers everything: how to set up your palette, choose and mix colors, correct mistakes, and care for your art materials.

Oil Painting Tutorials - Wildlife -- Martin Ridley provides online lessons for learning how to paint wildlife in oils.

Painting Rocks Under Water -- William Powell demonstrates glazing techniques using transparent oil colors.

All About Painting Materials and Techniques -- Norihiro Matsukawa has created a great resource for learning about animal skin glue, drying oils, dammar varnish, resins, balsam, and more.

Working with Solvents -- Daniel Smith gives tips for using solvents and describes the characteristics of those most commonly used.
 
 
 
ACRYLIC DEMONSTRATIONS & TECHNIQUES:
 
Tips & Techniques: Acrylics -- Douglas Purdon, a member of the Society of Canadian Artists, gives tips and answers questions about acrylics.

Acrylic Demonstration by Charles Harrington, AWS

A Direct Approach to Acrylic Painting -- Acrylic demonstration by Greg Biolchini.

Using Acrylics -- Basic tips from Grumbacher.

Acrylic Lesson: "Majestic Sunset" -- William F. Powell gives a step-by-step demonstration in acrylic painting.

Plein Air Painting -- Artist and teacher L. Diane Johnson describes the steps involved in her acrylic painting "From My Window".

Painting Demonstration in Watermedia -- Mary Weinstein Backer combines watercolors and acrylics, using watercolor as an "under-painting".
 
 
 
OTHER :
 
Murals, Trompe L'Oeil and Faux Painted by Art Effects -- Great faux painting techniques and tips for trompe l'oeil effects. The "Step by Steps and How To's" section leads you to techniques for creating faux stones, leather, marble, and more.

Egg Tempera -- Lots of helpful information and links from The Society of Tempera Painters.

The Basics of Encaustic Painting -- Daniel Smith describes the encaustic painting process as well as the materials, tools and equipment used in its application.

Making Egg Tempera -- Daniel Smith explains how to make egg tempera and gives recommmendations regarding its application.

The Art and Nature of Fresco -- Sr. Lucia Wiley provides information on fresco techniques and mural painting.

Fresco Workshop -- Fresco masters direct students as they create a fresco panel in Detroit.

Paint by Number Fun -- SegPlay is a fun, free, and challenging interactive artistic experience which allows you to color in detailed patterns of photographs and well known art images, without lifting a paint brush or crayon. It's the largest collection of Paint by Number patterns on the Internet!
 
 
 
MATTING & FRAMING:
 
Framing Tips -- Pictures Plus provides an overview of glazing, matting, and mounting choices for your artwork.

The Benefits of Archival Matting and Framing -- Step-by-Step instructions and thoughtful advice from Sharon Yamanaka.

Matting Your Art Work -- Daniel Smith's do-it-yourself tips for using Japanese paper hinges or paper corners; no instructions for cutting or choosing mats.
 
 
 
ART SUPPLIES:
 
Dick Blick Art Materials -- A huge selection of art supplies for artists working in any medium, including a wide variety of papers, canvas, hardboard panels, palettes, brushes, gessos & priming materials, mediums and varnishes, and several of the best paints available. They also have larger items such as drafting tables and easels. Free shipping on orders over $200!

MisterArt.com -- An expansive line of quality art supply products from all the leading manufacturers. Products range from paints, brushes, and canvas to easels, drafting boards, portfolios, and framing supplies.