The art supply aisle is a beginning artist’s paradise and could also be a nightmare rolled into one. Hundreds of products promise to unlock your creativity, but sometimes you may get that overwhelming choice that often leads to decision making paralysis instead of decision making progress. Here is the truth: you need just three mediums to build a complete foundation to begin your artistic journey.
1. Graphite Pencils: Your Foundation
Start with a basic set of graphite pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B). Why graphite first? It’s the most forgiving medium that you’ll ever use. With drawing and sketching, you can erase your mistakes if you want to. You may control the pressure that you apply when drawing or sketching. There is no drying time that might interrupt your flow.
Graphite teaches you the fundamentals that every artist needs: line control, shading, proportion, and your own observation skills. These skills should transfer to every other medium you’ll ever work in. A $15 pencil set and any paper you have lying around can get you started, immediately. Master graphite, and you’ve built the scaffolding for everything else, all of the other mediums.
2. One Wet Medium: Your Color Gateway
Choose either watercolors or acrylics, but not both initially. Choose one wet medium and stick with it for a while. If you cannot decide, then answer this question: Do you prefer having control or your own spontaneity?
Choose the acrylic based paints if you like control. They stay where you put them. They dry quickly. And, They have the added benefit of letting you paint over mistakes. A basic set of six colors, along with two brushes, and some canvas boards should cost you in the $30 range.
Choose watercolors if you feel that you would like to embrace happy accidents. They teach color mixing very well, patience, and some planning. A portable palette with 12 pans, some watercolor paper, and two brushes will run you about $25.
Either choice can introduce you to color theory. It can also teach you brush handling. And, you should learn about paint consistency without overwhelming your budget or storage space or your mental capacity.
3. Digital: This is Your Experimental Playground
“But I can’t afford a tablet!” I hear the objections. But, You don’t need one. Your phone or or computer will already run some of the freely available programs like Krita or Autodesk Sketchbook. Even finger-painting on a phone screen could teach you about digital principles.
Digital isn’t cheating. It’s another artist’s alternative. And, it might be liberating for you. Unlimited undos can remove fear. Free brushes will eliminate supply cost concerns. You may find online tutorials that you could likely integrate directly into your workspace. Further, you could use your digital work to build some of your portfolio pieces. You might also utilize them to connect you or introduce yourself to some of the online communities. Also, this medium is highly important and respected because it prepares you for many professional opportunities.
Use a Strategic Approach for Yourself
Spend one month with graphite only and see how you like it. Add your wet medium in month two, while doing both. Then, you might introduce digital in month three. This staged approach which prevents any overwhelming feelings while also building your genuine competency.
