The truth is that everyone can develop the ability to paint. Learning to paint, is much like learning any other skill. All activities require a certain level of talent, including writing, cooking and even talking. So what makes people with “god given” talent for painting different from anyone else?

Many individuals believe that the only way to become a painter, is if you have an inborn ability, but you should not allow this fictional requirement, to keep you from learning to paint. More than anything, it’s about the internal desire to paint and the dedication to learning how to paint.

After all, all these manuals and art books have not been written for the “god given” painters, explaining all the techniques for the usage of adequate papers, colors, brushes and stuff. This indicates that the people who wrote these books, feel that painting is something that can be done by anyone.

The painting method that you select, is a highly individualized choice. Acrylic paints are the classic painters choice, but you may also choose oil, which may be water soluble, or pastels, or water colors.

You can actually paint with anything and everything including chalk, charcoal or even coffee. However, learning to paint implies you will try more than one technique, prior to deciding which one suits you best. If something isn’t working for you, stop doing it.  You don’t want to continue struggling with something that is only making you feel bad.  Try another technique so you can find the best one for you.

You can liven up the learning process by experimenting with color mixing.  Although this may seem intimidating, you should not avoid giving it a try. You don’t have to read about the “color theory”; you can learn about it by playing around with mixing colors.

Whatever you manage to paint, whether it turns out a true naïve or abstract, be proud of yourself and never think someone else is better. You should never try to conform your painting to specific guideline, as art is a creative process without limitations. How art can remain art if we label it?

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