While not everyone is talented in the creative department, I believe anyone can learn enough basic skills to express themselves through art. Do you long to express yourself artistically but don't know where to begin? Do you have a deep desire inside of you to draw, paint, or make something beautiful with your hands? Do you need to just "get it all out" as it were? Then congratulations! You're an artist! In this article, part one of a three part series, we will answer three important questions that beginning artists need to know: Is making art something I really want to do? What are my reasons for painting? Which medium best suites my needs for expression?

The first thing you need to understand is there is no real right way or wrong way to express yourself. Expressing yourself as an artist is just that, an expression of your inner self. Don't let anyone tell you "No, you can't paint that way!" or "No, you can't draw that way!"…or sculpt, or carve, or craft. Being an artist is much more than that. It is letting out what is inside. It is the releasing of unspoken things that cannot be uttered; a drain valve for the soul. All professional and amateur artists already understand this powerful principle without question. It will be the force that drives you to paint, to draw, to be creative. If you understand this concept and have the desire to create beautiful things, then you are ready for the next step.

Decision time: what kind of art shall I do? This is an important question for a beginner. Many artists have spent years struggling to discover how they really want to create their art. It took me about the first five years of painting before I discovered what really worked for me. I started out as a portrait artist painting in oils and acrylics. After a five year journey of experimenting with many mediums, I settled on watercolors, gouache, and acrylics. I still occasionally do other crafty things but nothing gives me the instant satisfaction that I get with water media.

There are many different painting mediums that you can start out with. Some of the easiest to use for beginners are watercolors and acrylics. I mention these two for ease of use. A few tubes or cakes of color, a couple of small bowls of water, some paper towels or rags and you're good to go. The only caution with acrylics is that it dries very quickly. This allows the painting to progress very rapidly but you have less time to work the colors and layers of paint.

Oil based paints give you forever to mix the colors, put down layers, and get it just right. On the down side you have the mess and smell (especially if you're not using odorless thinners and the like). Other options are pastels, pencil, colored pencils, and charcoal.

I would recommend starting with watercolors. Watercolors provide instant gratification, minimal mess, and ease of use. It's important to lay a foundation when first starting out as an artist. Laying out a foundation of knowing that art is something you want to explore, which mediums you would like to experiment with, and how you want to create gives you a good solid outline from which to work.

So far we've covered some important topics. Hopefully I've helped you find the answers to three important questions that beginners need to know:
1.    Is making art something I really want to do?
2.    What are my reasons for painting?
3.    Which medium best suites my needs for expression?

In Part 2 of "How to Paint for Beginners – How to Get Started" we will explore the materials needed to get started painting. You will learn how to choose the best papers, canvas, brushes and thinning media for your needs. Are expensive materials always the best choice? Do you "get what you pay for" when it comes to artist supplies? Read part 2 of this three part series to find out.