Painting Problem Solver / Painting FAQ
Find the answers to commonly asked questions about all aspects of painting here.
Painting Problem Solver: Visual Index
A visual guide to common problems encountered when painting, and solutions where possible.
A visual guide to common problems encountered when painting, and solutions where possible.
Q: Where can I Find Free Reference Photos to Use in Paintings?
Find out where you can obtain free reference photos that you can use in your paintings.
Find out where you can obtain free reference photos that you can use in your paintings.
Q: How Long Should It Take Me to Finish a Painting?
How long should you expect it to take you to finish a painting? It is in fact possible to set a time limit?
How long should you expect it to take you to finish a painting? It is in fact possible to set a time limit?
Q: Can I Mix Various Brands of Paint?
Is it okay or not to mix various brands of paint, or do you have to stick with one brand only, be it watercolor, acrylics, or oils? Find out here.
Is it okay or not to mix various brands of paint, or do you have to stick with one brand only, be it watercolor, acrylics, or oils? Find out here.
Q: How Do I Overcome my Fear of a Blank Canvas?
Does being faced with a new white canvas paralyze you into inaction? Here are some tips on what to do.
Does being faced with a new white canvas paralyze you into inaction? Here are some tips on what to do.
Q: Should I Use Student or Artist's Quality Paints?
When you start painting, should you use student paints or artist's quality paints?
When you start painting, should you use student paints or artist's quality paints?
Q: How Do I Create a Unique Painting Style?
How do you create a unique painting style, that identifies you as an artist?
How do you create a unique painting style, that identifies you as an artist?
Q: When Do You Paint the Shadows in a Painting?
When do you paint the shadows in a painting, and should you leave those areas white until you are ready to do the shadows?
When do you paint the shadows in a painting, and should you leave those areas white until you are ready to do the shadows?
Q: Are Metal or Plastic Paint Tubes Better?
Is there any difference between buying paint in metal paint tubes or plastic paint tubes?
Is there any difference between buying paint in metal paint tubes or plastic paint tubes?
Q: How Do I Paint Glass so it Looks Transparent?
Is there some 'painting trick' to getting glass to look transparent? Find out in this Painting FAQ.
Is there some 'painting trick' to getting glass to look transparent? Find out in this Painting FAQ.
Q: Where Can I Find Information on Art Competitions?
Looking for information on art or painting competitions? Here's where to go...
Looking for information on art or painting competitions? Here's where to go...
Q: Is Rolling Up a Canvas Okay?
If you want to roll up a canvas for storage or to post it, find out what do you need to do to ensure it's not damaged.
If you want to roll up a canvas for storage or to post it, find out what do you need to do to ensure it's not damaged.
Q: What Do You Do With the Edges of the Canvas?
Find out what you should do with the white edges of a canvas if you're not planning to frame a painting.
Find out what you should do with the white edges of a canvas if you're not planning to frame a painting.
Q: What's a Gallery-Wrap Canvas?
What makes a canvas a gallery-wrap canvas, and why would you use one?
What makes a canvas a gallery-wrap canvas, and why would you use one?
Q: How Do I Remove Mold from a Painting?
What's the best way to deal with mold on a painting or artwork? Find out here.
What's the best way to deal with mold on a painting or artwork? Find out here.
Q: How Many Paintings Do I Need to Approach a Gallery?
How many paintings to you need to have completed before you can approach a gallery to sell them? Find out here.
How many paintings to you need to have completed before you can approach a gallery to sell them? Find out here.
Q: Does a Painting’s Size Include the Frame?
How are the measurements for a painting calculated? Should the frame be included or not? Find out in this Painting FAQ.
How are the measurements for a painting calculated? Should the frame be included or not? Find out in this Painting FAQ.
Q: How do I Frame a Painting Done on Canvas?
How do you frame a painting done on canvas? Do you need to remove the canvas stretchers, or not? Find out in this Painting FAQ.
How do you frame a painting done on canvas? Do you need to remove the canvas stretchers, or not? Find out in this Painting FAQ.
Q: How do I Frame a Stapled Canvas?
Do you need to do anything special when framing a stapled canvas?
Do you need to do anything special when framing a stapled canvas?
Q: What is Transfer Paper and What Would I Use it For?
What is transfer paper and what would you use it for? Find out here.
What is transfer paper and what would you use it for? Find out here.
Q: How Do I Know if a Tube Has Acrylic or Watercolor Paint
There's a simple test that will tell you if a paint is acrylic or watercolor.
There's a simple test that will tell you if a paint is acrylic or watercolor.
Q: What is an Artist Trading Card or ATC?
An explanation of what an artist trading card or ATC is, and how it's different to an ACEO.
An explanation of what an artist trading card or ATC is, and how it's different to an ACEO.
Q: I've Got Reference Material and Sketches, Now What Do I Do?
You've found your reference photos, done your thumbnail sketches, and bought a canvas. So what do you do next? Find out in this Painting FAQ.
You've found your reference photos, done your thumbnail sketches, and bought a canvas. So what do you do next? Find out in this Painting FAQ.
Q: Do the Celebrity Artist Techniques Work?
Is it worth spending money on the books and DVDs by 'celebrity artists' such as Bob Ross? Or is it just a trick?
Is it worth spending money on the books and DVDs by 'celebrity artists' such as Bob Ross? Or is it just a trick?
Copyright for Artists FAQ
Answers to questions frequently asked by painters about copyright.
Answers to questions frequently asked by painters about copyright.