Let 'em soak in the sun
Sit back and let 'em have their fun
Let 'em spill their guts
'Cause one day they're gonna slip on them
 
Well I could be angry but you're
Not worth a fight
And besides,
I'm moving on
 
-Interlude: Moving On by Paramore

I haven’t posted a tip in FORever. My goodness… But I was suddenly inspired to make this tip, so I hope you enjoy it ;D
 
So, I loooove painting. And I’ve been accumulating tips to help me out, I thought I would share them with you guys. :) I really only have experience with oil and acrylics, so most of my tips will be based on those mediums.
 
► When using acrylic, you want to buy a palette. Because acrylic dries super fast, you can’t just dump the whole tube out to use – it’ll be hard to scoop back in. Palettes are really cheap, and usually around 25 cents at any art store.
 
► Keep a rag or paper towel near you so you can blot your brush after rinsing. This will keep paint from drying and clotting on your brush so they’ll last you longer.
 
► For better acrylic blending, do it quickly while it’s wet.
 
► If you’re trying to make straight lines and hard edges, use masking tape on your canvas. You may still need to touch up some of the edges, but overall, masking tape works great.
 
► To dry your oil paintings, try to leave them in sunlight. When oil paintings are left to dry in the dark, a film of oil can rise to the surface.
 
► If you want to remove a layer of oil paint, use alcohol
 
► Big, thick brushes are better for softening and blending your paintings
 
► Try painting the entirety of your painting upside-down to help you see your work in a different light – It might end up inspiring you as well
 
► Play new types of music while you’re painting to help your mind go to different places it hasn’t been before – thus inspiring new painting ideas.
 
► Sketch out what you’re going to paint on the canvas in pencil first rather than free-handing it – this might make your painting neater.
 
► To get inspired, check out other people’s paintings and art online
 
► Don’t buy the brush, just cause it’s the cheapest! When you get cheap brushes, the fibers can come off while you’re painting, there’s nothing worse than there being a hair on your canvas. Instead, try to buy brushes from the ‘medium’ price range – these are usually nice, but don’t leave your wallet empty.
 
► Brushes with sponges on the end aren’t really meant to be used as regular paint brushes. Instead, these are made for seascape and landscape paintings and should be spotted on more than smeared.
 
► When you’re finished or almost done with your work, show it to a friend and have them honestly critique it. Critique is the most important part of being an artist, so be open minded, and don’t sweat it too much if they aren’t totally in love with it.
 

If you like this tip, check out my ’33 Ways to Help You Stay Creative’ ! [http://www.polyvore.com/33_ways_to_help_you/set?id=67065069]
 
Don’t forget to comment below if you have anything to add, or PM me!
 
~Brittany
*taking tip requests*