Quarantine has lasted far longer than anyone thought it would, and each day that passes seems to drain every creative idea. However, there is one activity that can bring energy to these times – painting. It may be one of the most common activities in the area of art, but it is also one of the most exciting and easy crafts to do during quarantine. You only need three materials – paint, paintbrushes, and a canvas.
While the act of buying art supplies may seem daunting, there are a variety of inexpensive and high-quality materials listed on online markets such as Amazon. Apple Barrel and Liquitex are just two examples of reliable brands with low prices. These brands have both paints and paintbrushes, however, there are countless others on the internet with just as great painting materials.
For someone just venturing into the world of painting, acrylic paint would be the best option. It is one of the less expensive types of paint one can find, and it is also one of the easiest to use. Aside from acrylic, there are a wide variety of paints, from gouache to oil, and one can start exploring the selection of different types of paint as they develop their skills of painting and become willing to invest more.
The next obstacle one may be faced with, is knowing where to start. However, painting can literally begin anywhere, whether it be from fine details or splatters of colors. One can paint anything they want, and the internet will become your best friend. Places like Youtube, or TV shows such as Bob Ross, The Joy of Painting, are the best places to start learning technical skills. A suggestion for beginners are landscape paintings, as they start with masses of colors and slowly layer on the fine details. This way, one can practice both the skill of composition and color, as well as recognizing small details. A simple “landscape painting tutorial” search on YouTube reveals countless videos detailing every step needed. There are so many types of paintings you can make since art is such a vast topic.
Whether you want to learn a new hobby or just need something to fill the hours of quarantine, you can always rely on painting to help. There are endless resources online for both materials and tutorials, which will guide you on the journey of painting.
Kate Jang, Grade 9
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
