How to Paint a Geometric Design
Before the actual process of painting can begin there are several things that must be done. First and foremost is the creation of a design. Each artist, of course, has their own preferences on how best to accomplish this. Some jot it all down on a diner napkin, while others painstakingly draw out their idea in an expensive sketch book. Whatever the materials, the elements of design must be present, and the more of these which are incorporated the better the final product will be. There are many elements of design, such as rhythm and form, but two of the most important are color and balance. Balance simply means that the shapes and lines within the image compliment each other. In other words, the design is fun to look at. Color is important because it determines the mood of the painting. Greyscale is often very dramatic, whereas warm hues can make the heart race and cool colors can ease the mind. Contrasting colors such as purple and yellow can also be fun to use since they create a conflict of emotion within the viewer.
Once a design has been decided upon and before the process can begin supplies must be obtained. The nearest M.J. Designs or Michael's will most likely have the necessay items, but Gardenridge can be a good source also. Now is the time to decide upon a canvas size as well as what type of paint will be used. The type and size of the painting are artist's prerogative, of course, but many prefer large, stretched canvases because they're easier and more fun to work with. As far as paint goes, acrylics are best for beginners, and although not exactly reasonable, they aren't as expensive as most. An easel is recommended, but not necessary; many artists prefer to simply sit in the floor. Brushes and a reliable palette for mixing will be needed as well, along with a variety of self-determined clean up supplies. After all, no one ever said this venture would be cheap.
The next step is to take all the supplies to a preferably preselected area and set up camp, so to speak. Set-up varies with the artist, but a large cloth of some kind is usually placed underneath the work area to prevent splattering. Very nearby should also be a fresh supply of water and several towels with which to clean and dry the brushes. It's suggested that a spot with a lot of natural light be used because false light can play tricks with the true colors of the paints.
Once the area is completed to the artist's satisfaction, the design sketch can be quickly and easily transferred to the canvas of choice. Pencil will work fine for this, but some use charcoal or pastels depending on the image they're wanting. Normally, when dealing with geometric designs, a sealant is used to fill in the canvas' cracks and then masking tape is laid down to create perfectly straight lines when painted over. However, here again, the process varies with the artist. There are those who prefer the challenge of doing the lines by hand, but if time is short, masking tape is the way to go. Be forewarned, tape has been known to remove dry acrylic paint while being pulled up; do so with caution and care and never place it over wet and/or drying paint.
In Design I, one of the first things that's taught is how to mix colors. First with black and white, and later with the primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. So, as might be expected, the colors that were decided upon in the beginning design stages must now be created. This is probably one of the most difficult parts of painting, especially if specific colors are desired. A bit of advice that art teachers and professors will give is to mix as little as possible to save paint. However wise this may seem and however much paint you may save, it does not save time. After all, if you run out of the mixed shade it must be mixed again, and the same color can almost never be mixed by hand twice, so the entire area must be painted over again. The best thing to do is pay a little extra for an air-tight palette, then over-mix the colors needed, and save whatever's leftover for a future painting. Keep in mind, unless mixed evenly, the hue that's added will determine the final paint color that's produced.
Once all of the mixing is finished, the painting can begin. It's normal to have several brushes in use, almost simultaneously, to deal with different aspects of the design, but it'll save wear and tear on the bristles if a bit of thought goes into which brushes to use when and where. With patience and perseverance, soon the design will be complete. At this point, it's wise to hold the canvas up to the light and check for thin areas in the paint. If present, additional coats should be applied until such spots can no longer be seen. It's very important to remember that a coat should be completely dry before another is applied, otherwise the acrylic might begin to flake. Once all of the thin areas have been patched, the painting should be finished and look absolutely fabulous.
However, the process doesn't stop there; now, it's time to clean up the mess that's been made. A warning: acrylics dry very quickly, so don't allow the brushes to lay out for any length of time or they'll become utterly useless. This actually applies to anywhere that paint doesn't need to be, such as good clothes, carpet, or the family pet. When acrylics dry they turn into a very resistant plastic, which isn't easily removed, except perhaps by scissors.
After clean up is complete the artist has several different options available as to what will become of the finished painting.* It can be sold for profit, donated to a favorite charity, or framed and placed in the artist's home, just to name a few. Also, if at a later date, the artist determines the piece to be unworthy, it can always be painted over and used again for a better masterpiece. Whatever happens, the creative juices have been allowed to flow, and something wonderful has been accomplished, something which will help to define art and creativity as the world knows it.
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