Painting

The general term painting can cover everything from house painting to decorative painting to the fine art of painting. Here we'll discuss painting as an art, ranging from working on canvas to create fine art, to doing decorative painting which is artistic but not necessarily a fine art.

Painting can be a highly creative hobby, or a satisfying career, depending upon one's devotion to it, creative ability and genuine interest. There are many students of painting who ultimately paint as a favorite hobby, often creating highly refined work, or who decide upon painting as a primary career. Painting as a career can be not only demanding, but often not particularly remunerative, as it is difficult to become well known enough that one's painting is exhibited and frequently sold. As proven by the lives of great painters of the past, the result of years of painting often becomes more valuable after the artist's death.

If one chooses painting either as a hobby or career, there are many choices in terms of style, materials and subjects chosen. Many choose to work in oils, feeling the work is ultimately more permanent and valuable. Oil painting requires patience, as it is difficult to work quickly with slow-drying oils. Many artists choose to work with acrylics because of fast drying time and the ability to quickly overpaint or make changes and finishing touches in a short period of time. Others prefer the fluidity and transparency of watercolor painting.

There is nothing on earth that cannot be a subject of painting, from human faces and figures to landscapes, seascapes,animals and still life objects. Most painters decide to paint in a certain area and develop expertise and style as they paint in the area of choice. Apart from painting classes or formal study in a school, one can develop skill in painting simply from long practice and observation. There are many books available to help develop technique for painting, both in bookstores and libraries. Studying the works of great artists is very helping in developing painting skills.

At another level, as a useful hobby, it can be fun and profitable to use decorative painting on furniture, wallpieces and ceramics to brighten a home. Such painting can range from simple designs on a chest or cupboards, to an entire mural on a wall. At any level, painting is highly creative and satisfactory.

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