(And how you can learn to paint, too!)
I’ve been painting ever since I was a little kid, and there are so many resources for learning how to paint regardless of your age, skill level, etc.
So, I wanted to share the ways I’ve learned how to paint, to hopefully inspire you to learn, too!
Summer Art Camps
When I was younger, my favorite type of summer camp was always going to art camp.
Camps hosted by school teachers
My middle school art teacher hosted a group of us in her home studio one summer, and it’s still one of my fondest memories.
I can still smell the dust of the pastels we used, hear the trickling of the water in the pond in her garden, and feel the sun shining down on my face as I painted scenes from her garden (pieces my mom still has displayed in her home!).
It was such a magical experience as a child, and I highly recommend it for any kids who (like me!) show more interest in the arts than sports 🙂
Local art camps
I also took classes at the Sawtooth School for Visual Arts and learned so much through those classes.
I highly recommend researching local art schools/centers in your area!
While I took painting classes, local art schools teach classes on topics ranging from painting to textiles to photography to pottery and more.
And during these times, many are even offering online classes!
Art Classes as Electives in School
I always chose artistic classes (from regular Art 101 classes to specialized classes and even photography classes) whenever I could in high school and college.
If you’re still in school or have a child who is artistically inclined – encourage them to do the same!
While it isn’t a full formal art degree, every bit of training you can get in school is valuable!
Internships & Learning from mentors
When I was an intern at Southern Weddings, Nicole Yang was always so nice to help answer any questions I had about Photoshop. I really considered her a mentor!
(PS – she is a wealth of design information and shares a lot of amazing educational videos & tips here!)
I cannot recommend internships enough – I did three internships throughout my college years (more than required!) because I wanted to soak up as much knowledge as I could before entering the professional world on my own.
Online Classes
As I was starting to transition from painting original artwork into designing products, I knew I’d need to learn more about Illustrator. I took an Illustrator 101 class on Nicole’s Classes that was a great starting point!
(PS – you can check out all of my online art classes that I teach here!)
Practice, Practice, and oh yea – more practice
Classes and internships are amazing, but you need to continue practicing on your own even once they’re finished!
When I graduated and started my business, I painted almost daily as I was trying to hone my watercolor skills.
For example, when I wanted to learn how to paint portraits, I would use bloggers/Instagram influencers/photos from award shows as figure studies to study posing, movement, and painting different garments/materials.
Study the world around you as your own continuous painting practice!
