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ChakotayDgryphon — Painting Tutorial

Published: 2008-02-27 09:28:34 +0000 UTC; Views: 74868; Favourites: 1262; Downloads: 1524
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Description Alrighty then!

This “tutorial” of sorts has been a long time in the making. It actually only took me a week and ½ to complete once I kicked myself in the arse and forced myself to finish it. The picture on the canvas was sketched out almost three years ago, and has been sitting on my stand-up easel ever since. When I came back from Guatemala I swore that it would be one of those many things I was going to complete. It was originally requested by as a way to give a brief illustration, and a few instructions on the rules and tips of basic painting.

Now, I am certainly not the greatest painter. In fact, I feel that I am as talent-less in the medium as they come, but I do try. I know I'm not really much of realistic painter— My paintings are more like, illusions of paintings... or something. I also don’t have the patience nor the talent for tiny, perfect details that others have. Oy. 'Kay, shutting up.

To begin this tut, I want to say that I know that there are several different kinds of paint out there. Some folks like the gushey, squishy oil paints that get into and onto everything… it takes all kinds of chemicals to clean them up… and most of the time you have to make sure they’re being used in a well ventilated area. Oil paints also take a millennium to dry… which to be blunt, frustrates the hell out of me. SO! I don’t use oil paints. Yuck. Some folks like to use the watercolors… Now those are some people with a lot of patience and a LOT of talent. I’m too much of a “control Nazi” to get the hang of watercolors. Everytime I’ve tried watercolor I ended up with a canvas full of mud. SO! Other than an occasional watercolor pencilon a drawing, I don’t use watercolors either. Tempera paints? No… absolutely not! Again Chako shall be blunt. Temperas suck. Let’s just say that those are the kinds of paints they use in a kindergarten classroom for a reason. Unless you’re purchasing paints for a 5yr old, do not waste your time even looking at tempera paints. Gouache paints are kinda nice. Gouache are like a cross between watercolors and acrylics. They behave like watercolors, but dry uber fast like acrylics… but I personally find them to be too “chalky” in texture and appearance when they dry. I have a set leftover from one of my college classes, but I hardly use them at all… in fact… hmmm… I wonder where they are…. Anywho, SO! You guessed it, this illustration will be focusing on the use of acrylics. Why? Because I like acrylics…


Um… I’ll probably be doing more talking than anything else. My apologies if I get too boring. It’s kinda big/long so I’m switching on the “download” option for a change. Anything else? No, I don’t think so.

Finished result of this tutorial can be found here: [link]

Offspring tutorial "Color Blending Advice" can be found here: [link]
Related content
Comments: 143

KittyRobber [2013-07-14 05:56:48 +0000 UTC]

This is the most helpful painting tutorial yet! Thank you!

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xclevermadness [2013-06-02 11:47:04 +0000 UTC]

you sucking at painting?! ALL LIES XDXD

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ravenlachrimae [2013-03-21 01:42:33 +0000 UTC]

I am planning to attempt my first time painting with acrylics... and to be honest... I have NOOOO freakin idea where to start.... at all.... My usual medium i use is digital painting and out of nowhere I decided that i should paint using acrylics...
Thanks for the advice and tutorial.... I'm still scared I'll eff up... but oh well

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N-H-Art [2013-03-02 23:48:18 +0000 UTC]

Thank you SO MUCH I've been looking for a good tutorial and this really helped me out!

awesone cat btw (^w^)/

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27Adam [2013-02-03 20:54:03 +0000 UTC]

BUUUUUUUU!!! Your cat is awesome!!!

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HaruShakurai [2012-10-27 14:27:17 +0000 UTC]

This is SO FREAKIN AMAZING!!! I found some pretty usefull advice for such a beginner like me. Thank you!

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imFragrance [2012-09-04 13:51:58 +0000 UTC]

my problem is applying the acyrlic paint on any surface ( i t does not matter if it is a canvas or a board) ... I can not paint it at all. What i mean is, the paint does not spread over the surface. it stucks in a small area even how hard i move my brush over the paint.. I tried to use retarder but i made it a little thinner ... Water also gives it a watercolour look and i don't want that.. What is the tip of the painting with acrylics? I begin to hate them....

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Dolly-Belladonna [2012-08-22 12:56:54 +0000 UTC]

Thanks this will help me on my Uni course

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x-RainFlame-x [2012-07-18 21:40:00 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for taking the time to make this! I'm thinking about dabbling in traditional art, and these were some great tips for starting out! Thanks again

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o-ccupied [2012-07-09 17:10:09 +0000 UTC]

probably one of my favorite watercolor tutorials so far.
plus I also enjoy the cat.

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baloneyy [2012-05-23 12:20:58 +0000 UTC]

very very very helpful. i am in debt towards you and your art guru-ness! thank you!

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ChakotayDgryphon In reply to baloneyy [2012-05-23 17:58:26 +0000 UTC]

*laughs* I dunno anything 'bout "art guru-ness" but thanks, I guess~

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baloneyy In reply to ChakotayDgryphon [2012-05-24 03:34:08 +0000 UTC]

it means you know your art lol "master of the arts"

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ImaginaryHooves [2012-03-18 15:48:27 +0000 UTC]

This is wonderful! I'll be sure to use this to help me through my GCSE'S in art C:

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MangaOtakuTB15 [2012-02-02 22:45:07 +0000 UTC]

I kind of don't understand the use of gesso. Meaning, what type of a difference will it make for your canvas? Do yo mean it makes the black lines less noticable when painting?

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ChakotayDgryphon In reply to MangaOtakuTB15 [2012-02-11 04:12:36 +0000 UTC]

Gesso acts as a primer for your paint, and helps your paint stick better to your canvas. Gesso is also great for adding textures before you paint. And yes, whether you use black lines or red lines, ( I advise a red pencil... for the tutorial I used a black marker for the sake of the camera )gesso helps "hide" the lineart underneath. If you use black gesso though~ Then things are a little backwards... will have to add black gesso first, then use white transfer paper to trace linart onto canvas, then paint. Hope that helps!

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MangaOtakuTB15 In reply to ChakotayDgryphon [2012-02-11 13:08:19 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! ^^

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midnightyellow [2011-11-18 05:11:39 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much! I can't wait to try out the tips! Oh and beautiful painting!

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Mumu-Vworks [2011-11-17 05:42:41 +0000 UTC]

Great tutorial, I'm really trying to get into painting and this was really helpful

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clarissafrn [2011-10-29 22:46:00 +0000 UTC]

Nice picture What is the gesso for? I mean, what does it do for the painting?

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TheSpunkyDoodler [2011-05-16 20:20:06 +0000 UTC]

awesome.

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Sunshine-Author [2011-05-13 14:46:31 +0000 UTC]

Waoh, thanks a lot for this tutorial!! ^o^
I'm going to start my first paint thanks to you.

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Hoffmanni [2011-02-01 18:21:08 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Whilexx [2011-01-30 03:38:57 +0000 UTC]

Great tips about the brushes! Wasn't even looking for those tips but I found them extreamly helpful!

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CoffeeKarena [2011-01-27 18:51:06 +0000 UTC]

Wow...this is very detailed and neat!

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WKR95 [2011-01-21 00:50:01 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for the tutorial. [link]

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rayn-the-insane [2011-01-06 00:07:31 +0000 UTC]

oh wow! you've got techniques i've never even heard of using
like that part with Gesso, for example
thanks very much for sharing, it is extremly useful

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ChakotayDgryphon In reply to rayn-the-insane [2011-01-06 13:29:19 +0000 UTC]

Really....? I thought "gesso" was pretty standard. Hmmm...
Did you know that gesso also comes in black?

Anywho, thanks. Glad to assist.

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Eldorgwynna [2010-11-11 23:49:00 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for this! ^^

So you should always start with light colors first?

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ChakotayDgryphon In reply to Eldorgwynna [2010-11-16 04:23:16 +0000 UTC]

Well... Not necessarily all light colors... Lighter colors ARE easier to correct over than dark ones. So, if you're brand spanking new at this, yes, painting light colors first and darker ones later is a good way to start a painting. The only painter I can remember being taught who disobeyed this basic painting "rule" was Da Vinci... He believed in painting his canvases black and gradually bringing the foreground to light using darker to lighter colors. Of course, that was his preferred style, and he also worked with a different kind of paint (oils... or something similar) that most likely had gaven him more working time. What I usually do is put down lighter, or medium hued base colors... and then highlight or darken as needed as I go along. Do remember to work background to foreground, even the old legends did it this way, regardless of how they chose to work with their colors.

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Eldorgwynna In reply to ChakotayDgryphon [2010-11-16 22:36:12 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the awesome advice! You rock! ^^

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AiZicToXemia [2010-11-07 03:03:11 +0000 UTC]

Very very good tutorial for beginners, I really like how you stress the importance of good brush care! Although, more pics of how you actually paint will help loads to those looking for technique help (your cat is cute ). Here it's a bit "look I begin... AND NOW IT'S DONE AND AWESOME!".

Keep making traditional art tutorials plz, I don't care how long it takes, I love this! ^^

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ChakotayDgryphon In reply to AiZicToXemia [2010-11-08 03:53:17 +0000 UTC]

*laughs* Thanks... I think.

Yeah~~~ It's been years since I've made this thing, but if I recall correctly, I think I mentioned somewhere in there about forgetting to keep taking pictures as I went along. The gal that originally asked for the tute had wanted a basic-basic of crash courses in beginner's painting; so I made sure to cover the, well— basics: materials, brushes, etc... I never really expected this thing to be spread around dA as much as it has. lol! I personally don't really have any special "techniques" when it comes to the brush mediums. I know to work "background to foreground" and that's pretty much about all I know. Truth be told, I'm far more comfortable with colored pencils than I am with paint. If you have any questions about something though, feel free to ask, and I'll try to answer them as best as I can... and if I don't have an answer, I can certainly direct you to those who can.

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AiZicToXemia In reply to ChakotayDgryphon [2010-11-09 18:33:10 +0000 UTC]

Ah, didn't look at when you uploaded it, but it IS a lovely tutorial

Oh, now I gotta see if you have any colouring pencils tutorial!

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NinjaShocker [2010-08-26 03:05:22 +0000 UTC]

This tutorial will be very useful to me. Thanks so much for uploading

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Honey-Flash [2010-08-15 18:32:17 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful work !
Thank you so much for sharing ! ^^

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Excalibur-T005 [2010-07-27 22:12:02 +0000 UTC]

With this tutorial in mind and a few brushes in hand, I may just have to get back into painting sometime. My last attempt was a disaster, sure, but, then again, my last attempt I was just winging it.

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tilwen [2010-06-13 16:49:28 +0000 UTC]

great tutorial. though, you have to admit, it only REALLY works if you can draw that well in the first place! lol only joking, you explain things really well and i loved your humour

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AnndreaLeeann [2010-03-30 02:28:54 +0000 UTC]

This was a wonderful read: now I know what it's like when people have read my long tutorials on how to draw portraits with charcoal...well at least I hope they had the same experience I had reading yours! If I could only be so lucky haha. Lovely tutorial, it's wonderful.

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cerebus360 [2010-01-14 21:59:42 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the tutorial!
I feel more confident in buying brushes now that I know the proper way to care for them. I mostly just use the school's since the brushes are decent. I've been wanting to get a couple brushes but I don't know which is good or not. Any suggestions?

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ChakotayDgryphon In reply to cerebus360 [2010-01-15 18:50:05 +0000 UTC]

You bet!

I was always a stickler in school about brush care. I've always been taught that if you use something that's not your's, in this case— the school's, you return it in better condition than what you found it. (You can't be blamed or forced to replace/reimburse the other person that way ya know? ) Anywho. A good rule of thumb I guess, as I still try to take care of my own brushes. They cost too much NOT to take care of them. Anywho... I personally use a lot of the synthetic ones. The one's with synthedic sable or camel hair. They have some white nylon brushes out on the market that are just as smooth 'n soft as well. I also like the brushes with the "short" handles. I have storage space issues in my home, so the ones with the foot long handles are pointless in my opinion. You can pick up like a 10 pack of the synthetics for like $7. They come in flats, rounds, chisel edges, fans... you name it. There's also an online art supply store whom, I have learned quickly, is very reliable and very reasonable. [link] <-- I went ahead and did some brush research for you. If I needed them, I'd certainly consider that set right there!

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cerebus360 In reply to ChakotayDgryphon [2010-01-18 16:04:31 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much for the info.!
The art classes at school sadly have brushes that are often mistreated. In fact, most of the supplies are often mistreated that the teacher only buys decent or cheap (they tend to feel uncomfortable when using or the quality isn't as one would expect) materials so it forces me to occasionally bring my own supplies or use them while internally screaming my woe.
Though there are rare brushes that are decent (if you spend half of the class scrounging like me...). I'm using, I believe the white nylon brushes. The name is "True Flow" (?) from SAX.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the link! I will definitely get myself those when I get the chance/time!

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okookooko [2009-12-26 14:12:21 +0000 UTC]

this will really help me thanks!

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ChakotayDgryphon In reply to okookooko [2009-12-27 21:44:50 +0000 UTC]

You bet!

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ChibiCookieGirl [2009-10-17 07:57:01 +0000 UTC]

This is a GREAT tutorial!!!

Im a newbie to acrylics, so this will be very helpful!!

Thanks so much

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alyn26 [2009-10-09 17:34:25 +0000 UTC]

beautiful cat :>

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ChakotayDgryphon In reply to alyn26 [2009-10-10 04:14:08 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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annzie1991 [2009-10-06 17:48:17 +0000 UTC]

How dare you say you are not talented. Ever seen on of my paintings? I should still practice for years till I can make paintings like this one in the tutorial...

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Zaleiara [2009-10-05 13:26:32 +0000 UTC]

You're a good artist!
I've never heard of texture gels..I need to check that up..

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MiatoSakura-chan [2009-10-02 03:44:52 +0000 UTC]

Now I wanna do acrylics again...

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