How I Got Good at Painting (in Less Than 3 Months)

Real Tips from My Own Process. No Gatekeeping.

When I started painting seriously, I didn’t expect to improve so quickly. I was juggling a new design major, learning complicated software, and still figuring out what kind of artist I wanted to be. But within three months, I could see real progress in my paintings, and so could you. It was about learning efficiently and letting myself explore without fear.

This blog isn’t a tutorial. It’s a reflection on what worked for me. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to start, I hope this helps.

1. Don’t Waste Expensive Canvases. Start with Studies

Before even worrying about what to paint or how to paint it, I recommend this. Don’t start on expensive canvases.

I did most of my early work on thick paper that could handle oil or acrylic paint. I prepped it with gesso, so it had the right surface and texture. These became my studies, small practice paintings that helped me experiment freely without the pressure of making them “good.”

Having a large number of inexpensive surfaces like primed paper, cardboard, or canvas pads gave me the freedom to paint more and fear less. I wasn’t worried about wasting materials. I was focused on learning.

2. Learn with the Right Tools Without Overspending

When I started, I was overwhelmed by how many supplies existed. Brushes, mediums, surfaces, easels, paints. It felt like too much. But you don’t need everything.

Here’s what actually helped me:

• I usually only use four brushes. One large for blocking, one medium for layering, one small for details, and one for texture or blending.

• Buy based on the kind of painting you want to do. If you’re doing landscapes, you’ll need different brushes than if you’re painting portraits. A little research will save you from overbuying things you won’t use.

3. Standing While Painting Changed Everything

This might sound small, but it made a huge difference. Paint while standing.

If you paint with your canvas flat on a table, your perspective is distorted. The image becomes distorted, especially when sketching. Painting upright, ideally with an easel, gives you the correct eye-level view, better proportions, and a clearer sense of structure.

Even for quick studies, standing up makes your body more active and alert. You make better choices because you’re more engaged in the work. Try it, and you’ll feel the difference immediately.

4. Start by Watching Artists, but Really Observe

One of the first things I did was study how professional artists paint, especially on YouTube. Watching full painting processes helped me learn how to approach a canvas, how they start, and how they fix mistakes.

But it’s not about copying. It’s about observing with intention.

Ask yourself:

• What’s the first color they use?

• How do they block the canvas?

• How much paint are they using?

• Are they building in layers or doing everything at once?

One thing I noticed from watching pros is how many of them start with a warm, earthy wash like burnt sienna to set the mood of the painting. That choice affects everything that comes after.

5. I Had a Mentor, and That Changed Everything

Alongside self-learning, I also had a mentor. One of my professors, who’s an incredibly skilled painter, helped guide me through the process. He taught me how to layer, how to observe, how to choose colors, and how to improve faster.

A lot of what I’m sharing in this post comes from what he taught me. If you can get feedback from someone experienced, even casually, it can save you from a lot of frustration and guesswork.

6. Color Theory Made My Paintings Better

You don’t need to master everything about color theory, but you do need the basics. Start with primary colors like red, blue, and yellow, and try mixing your own palette from those.

A few things that helped me:

• Don’t use black from the tube. It flattens your work. Instead, mix your own using ultramarine blue and red. It gives a richer, more natural dark.

• Tinting means adding white to lighten a color.

• Shading means darkening a color without black.

These small adjustments made my palette feel intentional and more alive.

7. Blocking and Layering Was a Game Changer

Once I understood that painting is a process of layering, everything became easier. I stopped trying to get everything perfect on the first try.

Here’s how I usually approach it:

1. Start with the background

2. Block in the darkest values

3. Add midtones

4. Build toward lighter values

5. Finish with highlights

Blocking means laying down basic shapes and values first, no details yet. This gives structure and saves you time later.

8. Glazing Helped Me Tie Everything Together

Once the layers are dry, especially with oil, you can use glazing. These are thin transparent layers of paint that unify your colors or subtly shift tone. It gives the whole piece more harmony and richness.

This is one of those advanced-feeling techniques that’s actually simple but powerful.

9. Practice With Purpose, Not Just Repetition

You can spend hours painting and still feel stuck if you’re not reflecting on what’s working. What helped me was always checking in with my own process.

Ask yourself:

• What do I like about this?

• What’s not working?

• Why do I feel stuck here?

• What will I try differently next time?

Improving fast isn’t about grinding nonstop. It’s about staying curious and paying attention.

Final Thoughts

Painting can feel intimidating at first. Too many tools, too many techniques, and too many ways to get it wrong. But if you simplify your setup, start with what you have, and focus on learning one step at a time, you’ll grow quickly.

You don’t need years of experience. You don’t need a perfect setup. You just need the willingness to start, to keep going, and to observe deeply.

This is what helped me. I hope it helps you too.