Have you ever wished you were more creative? Same here.

Over the summer, I decided enough was enough. I was going to learn how to paint. I started with some simple “paint with me” tutorials online, and I decided to make one of my own just for you. Without further ado, grab your brushes, a blank canvas, and let’s get creative!

Step 1

Draw an outline of your picture. Keep it light; don’t press too hard with your pencil or it’ll be hard to cover up/erase later. I like to keep my outlines as flexible as possible. There are no hard and fast paint-by-number restrictions here.

Step 2

Start with your base color if you’re layering paint, or if you’re really handy, add primer to the canvas before you add color. Wait for it to dry! Then, if you need to, go back over your outline in pencil (and remember to keep it light).

Step 3

Go in with your easier colors and start filling in your outline. If you’re worried about precision, use a wider brush to fill in the middle of the shapes and leave the outsides until later. I like to start with the biggest shapes, leaving the smaller parts for later.

Step 4

Get precise! Take a smaller brush and fill in the borders of your shapes. Clean up any lines and go in with another coat on the parts you want to be even bolder. This is the time to make mistakes and change your plan. If you don’t like how something is looking, you can always change it up! You make the rules.

Step 5

Details, people! Add in your shadows, textures, and anything you missed from your reference photo (or if you’re a true artist, your mind’s eye). 

Step 6

Let it dry and admire your masterpiece. Don’t forget to congratulate  yourself! You did great.

Congratulations! You’ve just created a painting. Picasso seriously has nothing on you. Hang it in your room, put it on your desk, or send it to your mom. I bet she’d love to have it. Remember that perfection isn’t the goal here, and be proud of the work you did! Keep up the creativity; it looks good on you.

Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Hannah S.