Unconventional Painting Techniques Any Artist will Love

Ready to take your artwork to new heights? Then it’s time to start experimenting with some new techniques!

It’s exciting to try new methods which can achieve unique and inspiring results, so here are some new painting techniques that are unconventional and are sure to create results that are outside the norm.

Technique 1: Change Your Brush Stroke

Using your brush in innovative methods is a simple way to produce art that is outside the norm.

• Dotting: painting small dots that act as pixels that make up an image
• Flicking: using your fingers or a paintbrush to splatter paint in blobby-dot forms
• Dabbing: using a sponge, cloth, paper towel, or your fingers to press paint onto surface
• Mixing: partially mix colors without fully diluting to create stark color changes that mingle together in each stroke

Technique 2: Change Your Paint Surface

Sure, canvas is a nice surface to paint on, but many artists are finding inspiration by using other substrates to support their work.

• Fabric: using an already patterned fabric as a painting surface can create an interesting contrast between printed and painted images
• Paper: using paper is both economical and creative. Try using books or newspaper with printed words that come through the paint
• Wood: use an old piece of thrift furniture or wood found around the backyard as a creative painting surface that adds texture and creates a natural aesthetic
• Glass: the transparent nature of the surface of glass can contrast quite nicely with a colorful or dark paint

Technique 3: Change Your Brush

In fact, don’t use a brush at all! Some of the most unique art in the world has come from painters who choose to forgo a brush for other application materials.

• Body: use your fingers, hands, feet, face, abdomen, etc. as a tool for applying paint
• Natural elements: find scraps in your backyard to create different textures and strokes. You can use pine needle branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, etc.
• Household items: grab the kitchen sponge to soak paint in. Use a cup to pour paint on a surface. Grab some carrots from the fridge to use as a brush. Every surface creates a different stroke; get crazy with some experimentation!

If you are looking for more painting tips or lessons, check out the Lakeville Area Arts Center website to see our spring art courses offered throughout the season.