Art Guides & Tutorials

Learn the Basics. Explore New Techniques. Create With Confidence.

Learning art doesn't have to begin with complicated theory or expensive materials.

It can start with a pencil, a sheet of paper and the decision to draw something.

From there, you can learn how colour works, understand different painting techniques, improve your drawing skills, experiment with materials and gradually develop your own creative approach.

The Art Guides & Tutorials section at Mont Crafters is designed to make that process easier

Whether you're picking up a brush for the first time, returning to art after years away, studying art at school or simply looking for a new creative skill, you'll find practical information to help you understand what to use, how to use it and where to begin.

Start With the Fundamentals

Before worrying about advanced techniques, it helps to understand the fundamentals.

Most visual artwork relies on a combination of:

  • Line
  • Shape
  • Form
  • Colour
  • Value
  • Texture
  • Space
  • Composition

You don't need to master all of them at once.

Start with one.

Practise it.

Then introduce another.

Over time, these individual skills begin working together.

Drawing

Drawing is one of the most useful foundations for visual art. 

You can begin with simple subjects:

  • Cups
  • Books
  • Bottles
  • Plants
  • Shoes
  • Tools
  • Household objects
  • Buildings
  • People
  • Animals

Rather than trying to create a finished masterpiece immediately, focus on observation.

  1. Look at the subject.
  2. Identify its basic shapes.
  3. Consider its proportions.
  4. Observe where the light falls.
  5. Then gradually add detail.

Useful drawing skills include:

Line control

  • Learn how pressure and movement affect the character of your marks.

Proportion

  • Compare the size of one part of your subject with another.

Perspective

  • Understand how objects appear to change with distance and viewpoint.

Shading

  • Use changes in value to describe form and depth.

Observation

  • Train yourself to draw what you actually see rather than what you assume an object looks like.

Painting

Painting introduces another dimension to the creative process: colour.


Different paints behave differently, so learning how your chosen medium works is important.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is versatile and can be used for detailed work, broad colour fields, textured applications and many other approaches.

Common techniques include:

  • Layering
  • Blending
  • Dry brushing
  • Glazing
  • Stippling
  • Scumbling
  • Colour mixing

Watercolour

Watercolour relies heavily on the relationship between pigment, water and paper.

Useful techniques include:

  • Wet-on-wet
  • Wet-on-dry
  • Washes
  • Layering
  • Gradients
  • Controlled splattering

Oil Paint

  • Oil paint has different working characteristics from acrylic and watercolour, particularly in drying time, blending and surface handling.

Gouache

  • Gouache provides an opaque painting approach while retaining some of the handling characteristics associated with water-based media.

The key is not simply knowing the names of techniques. It's understanding when and why to use them.

Understanding Colour

Colour can dramatically change the appearance and mood of artwork.

Start by learning the basics of:

Primary Colours

  • Traditionally, artists working with paint often begin with red, yellow and blue as a basic framework for understanding colour mixing.

Secondary Colours

Mixing primary colours produces secondary colours such as:

  • Orange
  • Green
  • Violet

Warm & Cool Colours

  • Reds, oranges and yellows are generally associated with warmer colour relationships.
  • Blues, greens and violets are generally associated with cooler relationships.

Complementary Colours

  • Complementary colours sit opposite one another in traditional colour-wheel models and can create strong visual contrast.

Value

  • Value refers to how light or dark a colour appears.
  • Understanding value is essential for creating depth and three-dimensional form.

Understanding Art Materials

Knowing what materials do is just as important as knowing how to use them.

A beginner may look at a shelf full of brushes and wonder why there are so many shapes.

An artist may ask:

  • Which paper should I use?
  • What type of paint works on this surface?
  • Do I need a particular brush?
  • What is the difference between two similar products?

These are practical questions.

Our materials guides are designed to make those decisions easier.

We'll cover subjects such as:

  • Paint types
  • Brush types
  • Drawing pencils
  • Coloured pencils
  • Charcoal
  • Pastels
  • Canvas
  • Drawing paper
  • Watercolour paper
  • Palettes
  • Painting tools
  • Craft materials
  • Art mediums

Learn About Composition

Composition is the arrangement of visual elements within an artwork.

A good composition helps guide the viewer through the image.

Start by considering:

Focal Point

  • Where do you want the viewer to look first?

Balance

  • How are visual elements distributed across the artwork?

Contrast

  • Where are the strongest differences in colour, value, shape or texture?

Space

  • Does the artwork have enough breathing room?

Movement

  • Does the arrangement guide the viewer's eye through the piece?
  • You don't need to memorise complicated rules to begin.
  • Make small thumbnail sketches.
  • Try several arrangements.
  • Then choose the strongest one before committing to a larger piece.

Light, Shadow & Value

A drawing or painting can have accurate colours and still appear flat.

One reason is insufficient value structure

Think about your subject in terms of:

Light → Mid-tone → Shadow

Then look for more subtle transitions within those areas.

A simple still-life object can be an excellent exercise.

Place an object under one light source and observe how the light changes across its surface.

Try drawing the object using only graphite or another monochromatic medium.

This removes the distraction of colour and allows you to concentrate on value.

Learn to See Basic Forms

Many complicated subjects can be simplified into basic forms.

A building can be broken into:

Boxes + Cylinders + Planes

  • A person can be approached through:

Shapes + Forms + Proportions

  • An animal can be simplified into:

Circles + Ovals + Lines

  • This doesn't mean the finished artwork should look geometric.
  • The simplified forms are simply a way to understand the underlying structure.
  • Once you understand the structure, you can gradually add details.

Working With Different Surfaces

The surface you choose can influence how your materials behave.

Paper

  • Different papers vary in texture, weight and absorbency.

Canvas

  • Canvas provides a durable surface commonly used for painting.

Boards

  • Rigid boards can provide a stable working surface for various media.

Sketchbooks

  • Useful for studies, experiments, notes and developing ideas.
  • The important consideration is compatibility.
  • Choose a surface appropriate for the medium and the technique you intend to use.

Experiment With Mixed Media

You don't always have to work with one medium.

Mixed-media artwork combines different materials or techniques

For example:

  • Graphite + Watercolour
  • Ink + Coloured Pencil
  • Acrylic + Collage
  • Paint + Texture
  • Drawing + Photography

Experimentation can produce unexpected results.

However, always test unfamiliar material combinations before using them on an important piece.

Learning From Reference Images

Reference images can help you study:

  • Anatomy
  • Perspective
  • Lighting
  • Colour
  • Architecture
  • Nature
  • Objects
  • Environments

Use references as a learning tool rather than relying on them blindly.

Ask yourself:

What am I actually studying?

  • Is it the lighting?
  • The proportions?
  • The colour?
  • The composition?
  • The texture?

Identifying the purpose of the reference makes the study more useful.

When using other people's photographs or artwork, also respect copyright and usage rights.

Build Your Skills Through Practice

You don't need to spend hours every day practising. Consistency matters. A short, focused practice session can be more useful than an occasional long session.

Try:

15-Minute Studies

  • Choose one object and draw it quickly.

Colour Exercises

  • Mix several variations of the same colour.

Value Studies

  • Create a small monochrome drawing.

Brush Exercises

  • Fill a page with different brush marks.

Perspective Practice

  • Draw boxes from different viewpoints.

Observation Exercises

  • Draw an object without looking at your paper.
  • The objective isn't to create finished artwork every time.
  • The objective is to train a specific skill.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Starting with too much detail

  • Establish the large shapes and values first.

Using too many colours

  • A limited palette can make colour relationships easier to control.

Pressing too hard

  • Heavy marks can be difficult to modify, especially when drawing.

Ignoring the surface

  • The wrong paper or surface can make a material difficult to control.

Expecting the first attempt to be perfect

  • Skills develop through repetition.
  • Your first painting is allowed to look like your first painting.

Take Care of Your Materials

  • Good materials still require proper care.
  • Clean brushes after painting.
  • Close paint containers properly.
  • Store pencils and drawing materials so they aren't unnecessarily damaged.
  • Keep paper and finished artwork away from moisture.
  • Organise your workspace so you can find materials when you need them.
  • Good studio habits reduce waste and make creating easier.

Build a Practical Art Workspace

You don't need a professional studio.

A useful workspace needs:

  • Adequate lighting
  • A stable working surface
  • Space for your materials
  • Suitable storage
  • Easy access to cleaning supplies
  • Protection for the working surface

Natural light can be useful for many creative activities, but consistent artificial lighting can also help when working at different times of day.

Most importantly, create a space where you can work comfortably and consistently.

Keep Learning. Keep Creating.

There is no single route to becoming a better artist.

Some people begin with drawing.

Others discover painting first.

Some learn through classes.

Others learn by experimenting at home.

The important thing is to keep observing, practising and trying new approaches.

You don't need to know everything before you begin.

Start with one skill.

  • Learn it.
  • Practise it.
  • Use it.
  • Then move on to the next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a beginner learn first in art?

Start with observation, line, shape, proportion, value, basic colour theory and composition. These fundamentals provide a foundation for many different art disciplines.

What art supplies should beginners buy?

Start with materials appropriate to the medium you want to learn. A basic drawing setup might include paper and pencils, while a beginner painting setup could include suitable paint, brushes, a palette and an appropriate surface.

How can I improve my drawing skills?

Practise regularly and focus on specific skills such as observation, proportion, perspective, shading and line control. Short, focused studies can be very effective.

What is the easiest painting technique to learn?

There isn't one technique that is universally easiest. Basic layering, flat application, simple washes and controlled brushwork are useful starting points depending on the paint medium.

How important is colour theory?

Colour theory helps artists understand relationships between colours, including contrast, harmony, temperature and mixing. You can learn the fundamentals through simple colour-mixing exercises.

Do I need expensive art supplies to learn?

No. Developing fundamental skills is more important than owning expensive materials. Start with suitable, reliable materials and upgrade as your skills and requirements develop.

What is mixed-media art?

Mixed-media art combines multiple materials or artistic techniques in one artwork. Examples include combining drawing with watercolour or acrylic paint with collage.

How often should I practise art?

There is no universal schedule. Regular practice is generally more useful than occasional intensive sessions. Even short, focused exercises can help develop specific skills.

How do I choose the right art paper?

Choose paper based on the medium and technique you intend to use. Drawing, watercolour, acrylic and other media can have different surface requirements.

How do I take care of art brushes?

Clean brushes promptly after use, prevent paint from drying in the bristles, reshape them where appropriate and store them so the bristles aren't damaged.