Top Secret...

Here's some super useful tips and tricks to keep in mind when you come to a paint class here at Pinot's Palette, and especially if you're elsewhere and need a hint!

1. Background first, usually. You can always paint something on top of a painted surface, but it can be a challenge to fill in a blended background while working around details of something you don't want to paint over.
2. Add some water. If you need to make thinner lines than you feel your brush is able to, dilute your paint down a little with some paint water. Thinner texture of paint requires less pressure to make a mark on your painting surface, so you are free to use a lighter touch with your bristles.
3. BYOB. Bring Your Own Brushes. The brushes at a studio like this are used communally, so they can tend to lean toward the chewed-up side. You are more than welcome to expand your bristly horizons by bringing your own brushes, even to experiment with. You can always ask as well to see if there's a slightly better condition brush we can supply you.
4. Transparent paint? Certain paints we use commonly aren't thickly pigmented, and can be transparent in some situations. You can make a solid white or pale base coat of whatever you're painting, then apply the color after that coat dries and it'll be more opaque. Some colors also do well when you mix in a little white, but not all.
5. Move your canvas to meet your needs. Ever tried to make a clean edge on a shape and you just cannot manage it on the other side of the item you're creating? Flip your whole canvas over so you can reach it without standing on your head!
6. Paint your edges afterwards. Let your background colors slide over the edge of the canvas as you paint, then paint all the edges one solid dark color after you're done, and it makes a very tidy final product. You may not even have to frame it after that!
7. Social distance. You thought we were done with that, huh? Well, it's super helpful for your painting process! When you feel yourself doubting that this is working, give your eyeballs a chance to rest from the close-up work and take a few steps away from your canvas. It always looks a little better (or at least different!) when you aren't so near to it. You'll be able to spot what might need to change, and find the successful aspects of the scene.
8. Relax! Please have fun, don't take yourself so seriously too frequently. There's a time to focus and whatnot, but art should mostly be fun and experimental, therapeutic even. You can do this!

I hope these help a little, and hope to have y'all to the studio to paint with us soon! Through the end of August, use code SUMMERFUN at checkout, and you'll receive a free reservation when you purchase 5! Happy painting!