Acrylic & Oil Painting Starter Checklist

1. Gather your supplies

• A starter set of acrylic paints in a few basic colors
• Two or three brushes and a canvas panel or pad
• A flat surface, good light, and a jar of water for cleanup
• Patience with yourself while you learn the feel of the paint

2. Your first project

3. Your first month, step by step

• Week 1: Set up a small space with good light. Open your acrylics and just play, mixing colors and trying brushstrokes with no goal.
• Week 2: Follow one beginner video all the way through and finish a simple painting, even if it looks rough. Finishing matters more than perfect.
• Week 3: Paint the same simple subject a second time. Notice what felt easier and where you want more control.
• Week 4: Try painting from a photo you love, or sample a small oil study. Hang your favorite piece where you will see it.

4. Mistakes to avoid

• Buying too many supplies before you have painted anything; a small starter set is plenty
• Mixing your paint with too little water or too much, which makes colors streaky or weak
• Letting acrylics dry on the brush; rinse often so bristles do not stiffen and ruin
• Overworking a painting instead of stopping while it still looks fresh
• Comparing your first attempts to finished gallery work instead of to last week
• Skipping a base layer or sketch and getting lost halfway through the painting