Common Sense?

Well, yes but it’s surprising how many people don’t get this set up at the beginning. Make sure you have everything to hand before you start painting. Also if you are right handed, make sure everything is placed on your right, especially your pots of water. You don’t want to risk dripping water over your painting as you work. Simply but important.

Planning and Starting with the End in Mind.

When you are excited about starting a new painting it’s diffucult to reign yourself in at times and remember that planning is 90% of the job. But it’s true and that includes what the finished painting, should end up on a wall, will look like. What is the overall look you want for it? Landscape or portrait? Do you want to paint right up to the mount if you are using one, or leave space around your painted area? Have you solved all the problem areas and gathered enough information before you get cracking on the ‘masterpiece’ ? This may seem obvious but I have seen many a picture marred by lack of preparation and a well thought through process.