7 Practical Steps to Learn Painting in Just One Week

Published on 31 July 2023 7 min read

Gather your art supplies
Find inspiration for your artwork
Study basic painting techniques
Practice mixing colors
Start your first painting
Critique and learn from your work
Continue practicing and exploring your style

Ever thought about how to learn painting in a week? It's possible! With the right approach, you can go from blank canvas to budding artist in just seven days. This guide will walk you through every step of the process. Let's dive right in.

Gather your art supplies

The first step in your journey of learning how to paint in a week is assembling your toolkit. It’s like packing a picnic basket—you wouldn’t want to get to the park only to realize you forgot the sandwiches. So, here's a simple list of what you'll need:

Paint: Acrylic paints are a great starting point for beginners—they dry quickly, are easy to work with, and come in a wide range of colors.
Brushes: A variety pack of brushes will provide you with the versatility to try different brush strokes. Look for packs that include both round and flat brushes in different sizes.
Canvas: You can purchase pre-stretched canvases at any art supply store. They come in various sizes so pick one that suits your comfort level. If you're just starting out, a smaller canvas might be less intimidating.
Palette: This is where you'll mix your colors. A simple, flat piece of plastic or wood will do the trick.
Cup of water: You'll need this to clean your brushes between colors. Any old cup will do.
Rags or paper towels: These are for cleaning your brushes and wiping up any spills.

Once you've gathered your supplies, you're ready to move on to the next step. Remember, learning how to paint is a journey. Take it one day at a time and, before you know it, you'll be amazed at what you can create.

Find inspiration for your artwork

Now that you have your tools ready, it's time to decide what to paint. Finding inspiration can seem tricky, but it's all around you, waiting to be discovered. Remember, in the process of learning how to paint in just a week, it's not about creating a masterpiece—it's about enjoying the process and learning along the way.

So, where can you find inspiration? Here are a few ideas:

Your Surroundings: Look around you. It could be a bowl of fruit on your kitchen counter, a beloved pet, or even the view from your window. You might be surprised by what catches your eye.
Photos: Flip through old photo albums or your camera roll. A favorite vacation spot, a memorable sunset, or a candid moment can turn into a beautiful painting.
Imagination: Let your mind wander. Dream up a serene landscape, a bustling cityscape, or an abstract pattern. Your imagination is a canvas in itself!

Whichever source of inspiration you choose, remember, it's all about expressing yourself. There's no right or wrong in art. Now, with an idea in mind, it's time to learn some basic painting techniques. Ready to move to the next step in our how to learn painting in a week journey?

Study basic painting techniques

Alright, you've gathered your art supplies and found your muse. Now, let's get to the fun part: painting! But wait, where do you start? You start by understanding some basic painting techniques. These techniques will be your guide as you navigate this week of learning how to paint.

Here are some fundamental techniques to get you started:

Brushwork: This is how you apply paint to the canvas. You can make your strokes thick or thin, smooth or textured. Try holding your brush at different angles and see what kind of strokes you can make.
Color Blending: This is the process of mixing two or more colors to create a new one. It's like magic, isn't it? Mastering this technique will take some practice, but it'll give your painting depth and vibrancy.
Layering: Here's a secret: Most paintings are not done in one go. They're built up layer by layer. This technique allows you to add complexity and richness to your painting. But remember, patience is key—let each layer dry before applying the next!

Keep these techniques in mind as you start your painting journey. They might sound a bit complex now, but don't worry. The more you paint, the more natural they'll become. Ready to put these techniques into practice and learn how to mix colors? Let's dive in!

Practice mixing colors

So, you've got a handle on the basics, and you're ready to bring some color into your artwork. Mixing colors is like making a new recipe—sometimes it's a hit, other times it's a... well, let's just call it 'an experimental masterpiece'. But that's all part of the fun when learning how to paint in a week!

Let's start with the basics: the primary colors. These are red, blue, and yellow. You can't make these colors by mixing others, but you can use them to create just about any other color. Isn't that cool?

Secondary Colors: When you mix two primary colors, you get a secondary color. Red and blue make purple, blue and yellow make green, and red and yellow make orange. Simple, right?
Tertiary Colors: Now, let's take it a step further. Mixing a primary color with a secondary color will give you a tertiary color. For example, mixing blue (primary) with green (secondary) will give you a cool, calming blue-green.

Now, here's a challenge: try mixing your own colors. Start with the basics and then play around. What happens when you add more blue than yellow? What about when you mix equal parts of all three primary colors? The possibilities are endless!

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you experiment with mixing colors, the more intuitive it will become. So, roll up your sleeves and give it a go. What's the best color you can create?

Start your first painting

Finally, the moment you've been waiting for—it's time to paint! But where do you start? That's one question I get asked a lot when people want to know, "how to learn painting in a week?"

Let's break it down into simple steps:

Choose Your Subject: Before you even touch a paintbrush, decide what you're going to paint. It can be anything—a fruit, a landscape, your pet, or even a dream you had last night. Just make sure it's something you're excited about. Passion is key when learning to paint!
Sketch It Out: Use a pencil to lightly sketch your subject on the canvas. This doesn't have to be perfect; you're just creating a guide for your painting.
Pick Your Colors: Now, think about the colors you want to use. Remember the color mixing techniques you've learned? Time to put them into practice!
Start Painting: With all your preparations in place, it's time to pick up your brush and start adding color to your canvas. Remember: painting is a process, so don't rush it. Take your time, enjoy the process, and watch your painting come to life.

And there you have it—you're officially a painter! Now, don't worry if your first painting doesn't turn out exactly how you pictured it. That's completely normal. The important thing is that you've started your journey on how to learn painting in a week, and that's something to be proud of.

Critique and learn from your work

So, you've finished your first painting. Congratulations, that's a big step! But your journey on how to learn painting in one week isn't quite over yet. Now it's time to look at your work with a critical eye. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds!

Here's how you can do it:

Step Back: Sometimes, you need a little distance to see the bigger picture. Take a step back from your work, literally and figuratively, to get a fresh perspective on your painting.
Compare: Look at your original subject or picture and your painting side by side. What differences do you see? Where did you nail it, and where could you use a little more practice?
Take Notes: Write down your observations. What did you learn? What would you do differently next time? This isn't about picking apart your work—it's about learning and growing as an artist.
Get Feedback: Don't be shy—show your work to others. They might notice things you missed and give you useful insights. Just remember, everyone has their own opinion, so don't take any criticism too personally.

Taking the time to critique your work is an important part of learning how to paint in a week. It helps you understand your strengths and areas for improvement. And remember, every great artist was once a beginner. So be patient with yourself and keep going—you're doing great!

Continue practicing and exploring your style

The secret to mastering any skill, including painting, is practice — and lots of it. But remember, this is not about becoming perfect. It's about expressing yourself through your art. So, how do you continue practicing and exploring your style in your quest on how to learn painting in a week? Let's find out:

Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different techniques, use new colors, or paint different subjects. You might discover a style that you really love or a technique that works well for you. So, go ahead and experiment — art is all about creativity after all.
Stay Consistent: The more you paint, the better you'll get. Try to paint a little bit every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. It's amazing what consistency can do.
Don't Rush: Good things take time, and that includes developing your painting skills. Don't rush the process. Instead, enjoy each moment of it. After all, painting is not just about the end result — it's about the journey too.
Stay Inspired: Keep finding new things that inspire you, whether it's nature, people, places, or other artists' work. Inspiration is everywhere — you just have to look for it.

Remember, your art is unique because it's a reflection of you. So, keep practicing, keep exploring, and keep expressing yourself through your art. And who knows? By the end of the week, you might not just learn how to paint — you might also discover a lifelong passion. Happy painting!

If you're eager to learn painting quickly and effectively, we highly recommend checking out the workshop 'Improve Your Acrylic Painting Skills' by Rachel Christopoulos. This workshop will help you develop your painting skills and techniques, making it the perfect complement to the practical steps shared in this blog post.