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are here : FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I find time to paint, I have a family and a full-time
job and, and, and?
- That’s easy just don’t cook dinner one night
a week. If the kids are over 5 they are ready to learn how
to
prepare a meal for themselves.
- Don’t do the dishes after dinner one night a week.
Either get someone else to do it or just do it later.
- Get the neighbor to time-share and pick up the kids from
sports practice once a week.
- If the children really aren’t old enough to open a peanut
butter jar – get your husband, sister, mother or anyone
to take them out one night a week.
- Sign up for a class at your local craft store. It means
you pay the money and you don’t get it back if you don’t
attend. You’ll find new friends with a common interest
and you will begin to make time.
- If you are going to paint at home make yourself a “painting
area”. Ideally it would be a space where you can leave
your paints out and your books and your brushes. Having to
set up and break down every time you want to paint is restricting.
You will always add that into the equation and end up saying, “forget
it”.
- If you can’t keep the materials out on a table because
the kids are too young or the place looks too cluttery (of
course that never bothered me!!!!!) you can pick up one of
those plastic rolling carts with 3 or 4 draws. Make sure
at least one of the drawers is big enough for your paint
bottles
to stand up in so you don’t have to pull them out and
set them on the table each time. If you paint the color or
write the color on the top of the bottle all you have to
do is open the drawer and reach in. Put the brushes in another
drawer (see "brushes" section), Styrofoam
plates, pencils, etc in other drawers. Clean-up is a breeze
and you just roll the cart back into a closet.
Personal thought: Competence is one
component of happiness. Notice I didn’t say Perfection!
Perfection is a goal; competence is a road trip. Take time
to enjoy the scenery.
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2. How do I get started?
If you can take a class, do it. There is nothing like the
personal interaction that happens in a classroom with a competent
teacher. Your local craft store usually has an offering of
decorative painting classes. That way you can learn what materials
to purchase for the kind of work you want to do.
If you can’t get to a class – buy a book. Most
books have an introduction that tells the basic strokes and
what brushes produce that stroke.
I have a ‘bible’ that I won’t lend out.
I have marked, highlighted and spattered it with paint, but
I still use it almost daily as a reference.
The Big Book of Decorative Painting: How to paint if you don’t
know how – and how to improve if you do. By Jackie Shaw.
It is comprehensive but not unwieldy. She presents 3 skill
levels for every project and gives you the faith and encouragement
that you need to know you are in fact a decorative painter.
If you are reading this, you have the internet at your disposal.
Search away, lots of sites have free projects and discussion
groups.
Get your hands on a Video. They are the next best thing to
a live teacher.
You can contact
me if need help getting started.
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3. What do you mean I can’t use my kids watercolor brushes
for decorative painting?
I know, I tried to get by on this one too but it won’t
work. Part of the glory of decorative painting is the concept
that the brush does about 96% of the work for you. If you have
a limp brush, you know like the celery that has been in the
refrigerator for a week or two, it will not work for this kind
of painting. (see “brushes” section)
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4. I used to paint a lot but I just can’t seem to get
it together to do it any more.
I got it and I have been there. There are reasons for that
kind of an attitude and I will outline things you can do about
it.
First: Answer these questions honestly:
- Did you read a new book or pattern on painting that you
didn’t
quite understand? Were there words and painting terms
that you just never saw before?
- Are you stuck on a particular technique or project and
you can’t seem to get help with it?
- Are you getting interrupted by your teacher, Your kids,
Your life, And you just can’t seem to get on
with the business of painting? Does your teacher
take the paintbrush out of your
hand to “help” you?
- Did someone tell you
that you shouldn’t be painting?
For a minute or for a career?
- Is the trunk of your car filled with painting
supplies that you don’t dare bring
into the house? Did you buy a toothpaste
tube roller
so you can
squeeze the last bit of toothpaste out
of the tube, therefore extending the life
of the toothpaste 1 week longer thereby allowing
you to
spend 2.75 on painting
supplies this week? Your painting transgressions
may be different than mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But
maybe not!
Solutions:
- Get yourself a good English dictionary and a painting glossary.
If you read the term in a magazine or book, make the author
accountable for the use of the term. E-mail them or write them
a letter and get that term defined. It will make the difference
between ability and inability.
- Again, call, email or write to the originator of that technique.
Use the resources available to you to get some help. Take it to your next class and ask your teacher for assistance.
If you put it under the table and say you will get back
to
it – trust
me you will cut your painting passion – your interest – your
drive to paint and you will not get back to it. Solve it
fast.
- In your calmest manner tell the person to stop interrupting
you. It may mean you will have to conduct yourself in a
like manner when your children are busy. Setting a good example
is the best way to be treated with dignity. If it is your
teacher who is interrupting you try not to let loose
in
the classroom
with a “Jeez, leave me alone!” but after class
let him or her know your learning style. If they are a good
teacher they will learn something from you that day. If they
can’t do that, find a different class.
- Anyone who is telling you that you shouldn’t be painting – needs
a reality adjustment. Again, calmly tell the person that
this is something that you are passionate about, something
you want
to learn and something that takes some patience and practice.
Ask for the same kind of support that they would like
to receive with any new endeavor. Be willing to take constructive
criticism
from a source who knows what they are talking about and
the rest, forget about it.
-
Get honest about your painting. Be proud
when you find a sale. Be proud when you figure out how
to squeeze
painting supplies
into your existing budget. Buy handi-wipes and teach
the kids how to use them on their faces so they look
neat and
tidy when
Dad gets home and tell him, “Johnny learned
something new today.”
Personal thought:
When you first get started don’t go
out and buy every gadget and brush and book that you can get
your hands on. Work with one technique, a few brushes and a
pattern or two that you like. If you “over-mechanize” you
will overwhelm yourself. K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Silly!
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