Separate Acrylic and Oil brushes

If you dabble in both acrylic and oils, use different coloured electrical tape to wrap the ends - say red for oil and blue for acrylic. This way you won`t mix your acrylic and oil brushes up.

Lumpy White Oil Paint

If your white paint is lumpy don´t be alarmed! Sometimes the consistency of the pigment that goes into the paint will do this. I suggest you blend a puddle of the paint well with a pallette knife to smooth it out. Take note too that some paints are harder to work with than others.

Slate

Slate is the best hassle-free no-prep surface, and it is easy to paint on. Make sure it is clean and dust free before you begin!

Glass Paint

A glass paint brand with reknown is Perm Enamel. There is a 10 day air cure time during which no water or other liquid can come in contact with the paint. If you leave the work for this time, to cure naturally you will have quite good results. It is said that of all the glass paints this one is the most durable in dishawashers and microwaves...but my advice will always be treat a handpainted item with care...no dishwasher and no microwave!

Lots of paints to store

I have two wooden racks storing over 400 paints. One is a flat piece of board that has been furnished with 2 inch pieces of dowel just the right distance apart to hold a tube of paint by the shoulder. This board carries tubes of Matisse, Jo Sonja and Windsor Newton water mixable oils, all in one easy to get to place - a wall in my laundry. The full range is on the wall in one place and in the same order as the colour chart. Each place is labeled so when a tube is missing I can easily see what is either in use, missing or in need of replacement. For my bottles I have a cupboard that is one bottle deep.

Lighting

Many painters regard the Ott Light as their best asset in their workspace. You can find them here: http://www.artistsclub.com/ac/Tools/ToolList.asp?Cat=822
The most important thing to remember is to have good even lighting. I use fluorescent lighting and have ´daylight´ tubes in them which gives me much better light.

Prepping a Candle

The best way to have a candle ready to paint is to wipe it over with vinegar and water or alcohol wipes before you begin.

Brush Care

You must make the effort to clean your brushes after each painting session. There are a number of great commercial products on the market specifically for this purpose but painters also use laundry soap or shampoo with some success. Use only cold or tepid water. Add the cleaner to the bristles and rub them gently backwards and forwards on the palm of your hand. If there is still paint in the ferrule area gently pinch the bristle with one hand while holding the brush in the other and wiggle them back and forth. Continue soaping, wiggling and rinsing until no more paint comes out.

Designing Basics

For the beginning designer, here is a little thing to keep in mind. It can be applied to still lifes, floral designs etc.

If all the pieces are similar in size and shape - the design is less interesting than if you use different sizes and shapes of objects.

If all the pieces are large the painting will have a bulky feel.

If all the pieces are small - the painting will have a diminutive feel.

Data Base programs

Take a look at the Decorative Painters Data Base. There are a number of modules to choose from, not the least of which are Book and magazine modules. You can download a free trial version to check it out. I
recommend the program as one that is quite easy to use. Furthermore, you won`t get better in backup service and support. The program author, Stan McBride is there on email for you, and he now has a support group for the DPDB users to get help in using the program if they need it.

http://www.simp-list.com

Containers for mediums and mixes

Recycle empty soap pump dispensers. Wash them out and fill them with your favourite mediums such as colour float. Keep small bottle and jar lids handy to hold these mediums during painting too!

Wire Cutters

Keep some wire cutters in your tool kit. You will find them useful when wiring up ornaments and hangings.

Emu Eggs

Emu Eggs are a great surface to paint on. Sometimes the texture will be rough, other times smooth. Be sure that the inside and outside of the eggs are clean. The shell on the eggs won´t break easily and can be kept steady for painting by resting them on a towel, or a wheat bag or cushion. As for basecoating, consider leaving the natural colour. If not, give it a coat of all purpose sealer and allow to dry for a few days. (The cure time is important) Then apply the colour. Complete your painting and them finish with a spray varnish. Finish the egg of by hunting down the right stand or finding through the Egg Artistry industry.

Glass and plastic

These slick surfaces need to be cleaned with vinegar and water before you begin and should also not be handled with bare hands after this until a base coat is on. Your fingerprints will prevent the adhesion of paint, so use cotton gloves.

Learn simple watercolour

One way to break the barrier of fear in painting is to learn the simple technique of watercolour. Try this online lesson with Frank Clarke, an irish artist and teacher who believes in making painting fun and possible for all. Go to http://www.simplypainting.com/htms/lessons/lessons.htm
and begin to paint now!

Brushes

Brushes should be stored upright in a jar or utensil container. An old dishwasher cutlery holder makes a great brush caddy. Wrap wide tape or some contact paper around it and across the bottom. You could even get someone clever to build a box just the right size to sit it into.

I can´t draw!

You don´t need to be able to draw in order to paint. I couldn´t draw before I started painting. my drawing skills have grown out of my painting skills. There are thousands of pattern books and packets, ideas and instructions for your painting. We trace patterns on to the surface we are painting and follow the guideline of the pattern. Most of us start out this way...using someone elses drawing and concentrating on painting it. Learn to use the brush and skills with a pencil will soon follow.