Here’s an easy drawing exercise that takes just seconds. This simple exercise will help you I love this exercise: it’s perfect for beginner painters. It helps you find the essence of your artwork. And when finished, your sketches can also be used to start a painting! But it’s also good for experienced painters who want […]
The only colours you need for oil painting [just 7 tubes!]
Are you stumped by all the colors available at the art supply store? Not sure which colours for oil painting you should buy? Or which are best for beginners? Then you will love the split primary colour palette. This amazing oil painting palette works for beginners as well as masters. And you only need to […]
Acrylic vs oil paints: Which is better for beginners?
Acrylic vs oil paints — what’s the difference? And which is better for beginner painters? Acrylic paints and oil paints are two of the most popular mediums used by artists. But which one should you start with? It’s a good question! Oil and acrylic have a lot of similarities. But they also have some important differences, […]
What are paint mediums? [ A guide for beginners ]
Confused about what paint mediums are? I sure was when I started. I didn’t realize the word medium was used for 2 things. And I had no idea what a paint medium was for. (That’s how I ended up with a slow-drying medium! Definitely not something an alla prima painter needs.) So in this beginner’s […]
Painting knife vs palette knife – IMPORTANT!
Did you know there was a difference between a painting knife and a palette knife? I didn’t! I had to learn the hard way. Read on for the very important difference. So, here’s the scoop: there are TWO kinds of knives for painting. They look the same but there is a VERY important difference between […]
[time-lapse oil painting] Mini painting of Quidi Vidi, Newfoundland
Here’s a little landscape time-lapse oil painting of Quidi Vidi, Newfoundland. Quidi Vidi is the sweetest little fishing village on the outskirts of historic St. John’s, Newfoundland. It’s one of my fave walks because it’s just a 5-minute drive and you feel miles away from everyone as you scamper about the hills and cliffs. [ […]
Why you should tone your canvas before painting
Let me say right off the bat, that you don’t have to tone your canvas before oil painting. As long as your canvas has gesso on it, you are good to go. But even though you don’t have to do it, you absolutely should TRY toning your canvas, at least once. Why? Because you won’t […]
Best Tips for Learning How to Paint for Beginners
Question. Irene, do you have any tips on learning how to paint? I’ve wanted to paint as long as I can remember, but I have no idea where to start. I keep reading about colour theory, composition, design principles. But I’m confused about them all and I don’t know what to focus on! . Answer: […]
Waiting list to Intro to Oil Painting course is OPEN
IRENE DUMA TEACHES ART Ready to Try Oil painting? My itty bitty Intro to Oil Painting course opens Thursday, July 29, 2021 Everything you need to paint your first MINI PAINTING in just 3 hours! And to fall fast in love with oil painting. Put me on the waiting list What Founding Students are Saying […]
Watercolour and soft pastel for beginners [video]
Here’s a quick painting demo I made of me using watercolour and soft pastel for beginners. In this demo, I am not using anything special to show you that you can start painting right away. Just start now and upgrade later! Here are the tools I use in this painting demo: watercolour paint. If you […]
Types of brushes for oil painting
When it comes to the types of brushes for oil painting, there are plenty of brushes to choose from. The traditional oil painting brush is a natural bristle brush. Painters like them because they are stiff and leave nice brush marks in the paint. But you can paint with other brushes and tools, too. Brushes […]
How I designed my oil painting course with the beginner in mind
In this post I want to discuss how I designed my itty bitty Intro to Oil Painting Course with the absolute beginner in mind! This course is designed from the ground up. There is no other course out there like it. Why? Because … there’s just no nice way to say this… I think the […]