how to paint good art

Can we learn how to paint good art? Yes, we can, but first what is good art?

Good art displays the heart and intent of the artist.

It speaks to people. It may spark a memory or other emotions in the viewers. It draws them in for an appreciation and a deeper look at the painting.

We can learn how to paint good art!

how to paint good art

What makes a good painting? We use three things to paint an enticing piece of artwork.

The "Big Three" are:

1. Create an inviting composition.
2. Paint three contrasting values.
   
3. Use harmonious color.

get ready before you start

How do we prepare for a painting?

Get your materials ready. Watercolor, acrylic and oil paints are all make good paintings. Any of the three are suitable for the beginning artist.

Choose a subject. Why do you want to paint this subject? What drew you to the subject? What is the purpose of the painting and what do you intend to portray?

How we feel about the subject will show thru in the finished painting. Decide the reason for the painting and keep it in mind while painting.

Do some sketches. Small sketches about the size of a post card just are fine. Think of the objects and parts the painting, as shapes.

Sketch out the large shapes, choose their values and their placement. See how the shapes relate to each other. Choose the painting's focal point. Do several sketches until you get one that looks good to you.

We all have an innate knowing of what looks good. Tune in and listen to our inner voice.

#1 create an inviting composition

Good composition is an important aspect of how to paint good art. It invites the viewers into the painting.

A common way to invite the viewers into a landscape painting is to paint a road, a path, a stream or river running up into the painting. Start the entrance at the bottom edge of the painting.

We read from left to right, so the left side is good. Make the entrance either above the left corner or a bit to the right of the corner, not directly out of the corner.

Still life paintings may have a tool, a flower or other objects pointing up into the painting from the bottom.

An object directly across the bottom of the painting, such as a fence, rock wall or a fallen tree trunk will block the viewer. It will make them feel uncomfortable and keep them from entering the painting.

Paint the composition with three parts

Each area is a different size.

Each part of the composition will be a different size.

1. One part of the painting will cover a large area. In this painting the land and ocean take up the most area.
   
2. The second area is smaller. The sky, minus the lighthouse takes up less space than the land/ocean mass.
   
3. The focal point, the lighthouse is the smallest part of the painting.
   

Note: It doesn't matter which part of the painting is what size. The subject could be the smallest area or the background, etc. It doesn't matter.

What we are looking for is a variety of sizes. We want three different sizes to keep the viewer interested.

what is a focal point?

The focal point is the main subject and the reason for the painting.

The composition guides the viewers to the focal point. Then they will spend time looking around the rest of the painting.

Blend the focal point well into the painting. A focal point close to the edge of the painting will draw the viewers out of the painting.

The Rule of Thirds is an excellent tool for placing the focal point. It's how to paint good art.

#2 paint three contrasting values

Values are the most important aspect of how to paint good art.

Good paintings have a variety of values.  Poor paintings are basically all the same boring middle values.

Paint the values different sizes.

Paintings should have a minimum of three values; light, dark and middle values.

1. One value will cover the largest area. The land/ocean with the blue sky are all medium values.
   
2. Another value would cover a medium area of the painting. The lighthouse and clouds are the lightest value.
   
3.  The third value covers the least space. The rocks on the left are the darkest value.
   

Think three values in three different sizes.

It doesn't matter which value takes up how much space of the painting. The point is to have three values and make each value a different size.

Variety is the spice of life and that goes for paintings, too. Good values make good art.

Read more about using values in art.

#3 use harmonious color

A painting color scheme of three or four colors will create a harmonious painting.

Many additional colors can be mixed from the three or four colors. The mixed colors will all harmonize because they are based on the original colors.

Paint each color area a different size.

Variety is how to paint good art. Think in threes again.

Use the different colors in different amounts.

1. Red is used in the smallest amount.
   
2. Blue takes up the middle amount of space in the sky and parts of the water.
   
3. The greens in the land and most of the ocean water fill up the largest area of the painting.

Again, it doesn't matter which color takes up what amount of space. Just paint each color in a different amount.

When each color is a different size, it creates a good painting with interest and variety.

How do we choose the colors for a painting?

variety creates good art!