Use random splashes of color to get over an intemindating blank page.
Starting out as a new painter is a tentative and delicate process. With a world of techniques and the only limit on subjects being the imagination, it can be hard for a new artist to figure out where to begin. A beginner often chooses a too complex and complicated subject and becomes frustrated, perhaps losing the desire to learn at all. A new painter should focus on subjects that will help develop his technique and refine his artist's eye.
Colors
Painting is perhaps the ultimate expression of color. From dark, murky hues to those bright and vibrant, color is one of the strongest weapons in an artist's arsenal. A new artist should look for subjects that allow her to practice with colors. A single color can be expressed in a variety of ways, and a new artist should develop an eye able to discern the degrees of intensity and hue. She should look for subjects that are expressed in a few dominant colors and practice the blending that gives those objects depth. Fruit is a very good choice for their vivid and often varied colors.
Shape and Perspective
Simple shapes allow an artist to express very complex subjects. By learning to develop these simple shapes, a new artist will grow the ability to craft even more intricate forms. A beginning artist should look for subjects that allow him to work out the basic form and shape of an object and mold that shape based on perspective. Open books, balls, fruit and other simple objects arranged in interesting ways will allow a new artist to practice breaking down an object into its core shapes.
Light
Light has a drastic effect on the mood and quality of a subject. A new artist should practice working with different levels and angles of light. The light may even have a color of its own, such as the golden hues from a setting sun, which brings out different qualities in a subject. Even a slight change in the light's direction or intensity can make a seemingly dull object look interesting. One practice is to take the same subject and paint it several times, only changing the light between each piece. Monet himself was known to do this, as demonstrated with his works of the Rouen Cathedral where over 30 pieces were created of the same scene, each captured at different times of day at different times of the year.
Enjoyment
The most important thing a new artist must take into account when deciding what to paint is the enjoyment of it. If the subject is something the burgeoning artist isn't interested in, then they will not enjoy the creative process. Painting is an act of creation, and creation should be a joy. Frustration leads to resentment, and resentment will prevent a new artist from wanting to practice and grow. Even if the painting is nothing more than colors thrown together on the canvas, if that form of expression is what the new artist enjoys, then that is the perfect subject for her art.
