Whether you are entirely new to painting or someone who is already a pro, it is always fun to test the waters with new hues and shades for painting.
However, the process of choosing the right type of paint is not as easy as it sounds. Your results will vary depending on what type of paint you use.
There are 4 factors you need to consider while trying out new and different paints. Feel free to experiment with them to see which your best fit is.
Buying New Paints
Do Not Buy The First Thing You See
When you step into an art store, you might get distracted by a wide range of colors, and it may be tempted to buy the most attractive paint set in the store. This is especially true for a beginner painter.
However, it is best o hold back your excitement and properly browse through the color schemes of all the palettes in the store. The best way to do this is to have an idea of what you will be painting first, bringing us to the next factor.
Work With Inspiration
One of the best ways to discover what to draw for your next painting is to search for inspiration on Pinterest.
Browse through various ideas and artist paintings to see which ones catch your eye or match your vibe and skillset. Once you have collected your favorites, you can pin them all and make a board.
Test The Colors
If you have inspiration and a color scheme in mind, you will want to test the colors next. If you want a“happy-go-lucky” vibe, you can choose more vibrant or “warmer” paint palettes.
For a more serious or somber vibe, you can opt for the cooler paint palettes.
Once you have found your palette, swatch the colors to see their consistency and pigmentation to get a better idea of the colors.
Test The Paint Finish
While you are doing a swatch test, make sure to also test the paint’s finish. Some paints have a matte finish, while others have a shinier finish. Depending on your preferences, pick the one that matches the mood you want to convey.
Matte Finish – Does not offer any shine. It gives your painting a dried-out effect.
Eggshell Finish - Offers mild sheen but is not very reflective, making it perfect for dim paintings.
Satin Finish - Offers a bit more shine than the eggshell finish, making the painting look fairly reflective.
Semi-Gloss Finish - As the name suggests, this offers an extremely shiny finish, but it does not have a glass-like finish either. This makes the painting look extremely smooth and attractive.
Hi-Gloss Finish: This offers the most sheen of all the finishes mentioned above! It also has a glass-like finish that keeps the painting well-preserved without any damages.
As you can see, each type of finish gives off a different effect. Therefore, take the time to figure out what type of finish you would want for your masterpiece and decide accordingly.
However, keep in mind to never forget a finish, especially if you are feeling proud about your drawing and want to keep it free from tears and scratches for a long time.
Final Advice
While the task of buying new paints can be quite daunting, the process will go by without any trouble if you follow the factors mentioned above. Ultimately, the type of paint you want entirely depends on your inspiration and preferences.
While it’s great to experiment with colors, the most important thing is to have fun at it!