5 Types of Painting Styles You Should Learn

Posted by Direct Art Australia on November 15th, 2019

The world of paintings has evolved a lot and so are their mediums. The paints and paintings have been used by artists are continue to diversify. There is so much to explore in the artistic world with watercolour, oil, and acrylic paints. There are also some types of paintings such as fresco and tempera which are still not commonly used. However, the trends are changing with increasing interest in sign painting and hand lettering which has made enamel trendier than ever. 

Many people love to hang dog portrait painting or dog canvas painting on the walls of their homes. Thus, artists should try to pick the type of painting according to the demand of people. Having a good grasp of different paint styles will help you to narrow down your choices. If you are a beginner painter then you should learn about a few commonly used paints in the painting world.

1. Oil 

Oil paint has been used by artists for centuries and they are still in trend. This is a slow drying paint that includes colour pigments suspended in oil. Thus, artists can take their complete time to create the right work as they dry slowly. Oil paint has a thick consistency and thus it is used to create amazing textured effects. However, you need to use them carefully as it is messy to work with. It contains toxic elements for rich colour. 

2. Acrylic 

The market is filled with a wide array of acrylic paints that comes in different texture and drying time. Acrylic paint is a water-soluble paint that is non-toxic and dries quickly. It holds better than oil paint and it is less prone to yellowing and cracking. There are many different types of acrylic paint techniques that artists use with different mediums. Acrylic is water-resistant after drying on the canvas. Plus, it is very easy to clean due to its water-soluble nature. 

3. Watercolour 

Watercolours are painted on paper and made from pigments suspended in a water-based solution. Watercolour paint creates transparent layers and remains soluble even after drying. This allows artists to make corrections in their paintings after the paint is dry. However, they have to protect the finished work carefully. Artists use different watercolour techniques to create realistic portraits and washed out landscapes. Watercolours are used on wood, paper, fabric, vellum, and leather. 

4. Gouache 

Gouache paint is similar to watercolour as it can also be re-wetted. Gouache dries matter and a heavier paint as it contains chalk. It has some characteristics of acrylic as it is an opaque paint. This is a water-soluble paint and often used with watercolour. The latest trend is acrylic gouache that uses an acrylic binder that makes the paint water-resistant after drying. 

5. Pastel 

Pastel painting has been used by artists since the 16th century. Pastel paint is an easy and portable solution for artists due to their stick form and lack of drying time. Soft pastel is the most popular pastel as chalk is incorporated in it. Oil pastels with waxy consistency are also widely used by artists. If you want a watercolour effect then you can use water-soluble pastels. Pastel paintings are fragile and pigment can lift form surfaces easily. 

On the Ending Note

If you are a new artist then you first must learn to use all these different types of paintings. You should also learn to make custom pet portraits Australia or custom pert portrait canvas if you want to sell your painting. These types of paintings are liked by people a lot. Make sure that you learn all techniques carefully and use your creativity to bring the best results.