A painter is a visual artist or craftsperson who creates works with paint. Some people receive formal training at an art school or through an apprenticeship, while others choose to educate themselves. Painters, like all artists, have a chance to become famous or wealthy through their work, but most painters do it because they love it and are passionate about it, not for the money.
Painting is one of the world’s oldest art forms, according to experts. Paintings in cave-dwelling societies in France date back to around 30,000 BCE. Little is known about these early painters, who created murals of animals, abstract geometric figures, and humans using natural pigments. Historians are baffled as to what the paintings commemorate or why they were created in the first place. The painters of Lascaux and Chauvet serve as a constant reminder of painting’s long history and culture, and they may even inspire painters today.
There have been many famous painters throughout history, each of whom is adored fans for their distinct perspective, prodigious talent, or vision. Because the styles brought to the medium are so diverse, there is no single quality that defines a great painter. Fortunately, the continuing human fascination with the arts has allowed many famous paintings to be preserved, studied, and used to inspire future generations of painters and art lovers.
A few basic tools are required to become a painter. Acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints are among the many types of paint available. When you’re first starting out, it’s a good idea to try out different paints, brushes, and canvas materials to see what works best for you. Even if a new painter intends to be mostly self-taught, some experts recommend taking one basic class in each major painting medium to better understand the qualities and applications of each.
Others prefer to work without a plan. Some painters prefer to have a completed pencil or ink sketch of the finished work before actually painting it on a surface. Basic drawing skills can aid in the creation of painting drafts, particularly if the painter wishes to include a realism element in the drawing. An understanding of light, color, figure drawing, and shading is essential for a painter who wishes to create at least semi-realistic art. To better express his or her personal viewpoint, an artist who prefers to create abstract art may choose to eschew all formal ideas of an art education.
Painters have a variety of options for selling and displaying their work. Some hold shows or art exhibitions where they sell their work. Others use their completed paintings to create other items like greeting cards, stationary, mugs, and even clothing. Muralists are painters who create large-scale paintings on walls, ceilings, and even skyscrapers. Painting is a passion and hobfor many artists, rather than a marketable skill, and they may choose to keep or give paintings as gifts rather than try to sell them.