Paints question

[Junior Mints]

I want to start painting, but I can't decide between oils, acrylics or gouache.
I know the fundamental characteristics of all of them, but I haven't used any of them so I'm not sure which choice would be best for a beginner. I'm not a beginner to art/color theory etc, Only painting.

[mtw]

Oil paints will be the most expensive, but they're the best type of paint in my opinion. You might want to try acrylics at first because they're similar to oil paints. They mix with water, don't require primed surfaces, and they're cheaper than oils.

[bizarre]

ay! gracias amigo!!!

in assisting our man el mtw, you've assisted el hombre bizarro! i went straight for oils, because i'd worked with them at school, liked them, and wanted to see what i'd do on my own with them.

i've heard complaints that acrylics don't mix that well, though... and blending... care to inform me?

[silverslash]

i really dislike acrylics after mucho experimento with them i found them blah.. they dry in a very a plasticy way very not cool for me..

im trying out guache now, just bought a set .

my usual medium is watercolor, just trying to step outa that tho, ill let u guys know about the guache

[Pukk]

I actually started a bit with watercolor...though I dont know if thats appropriate or not ^^; hehe. Acrylics are alright I suppose but I agree with silverslash...I too dislike the plasticness of them. I actually found myself quite found of oil paint sticks. XD who can beat paint in a stick? Though it is a bit of a pain to get off your hands when your done o_O; But I think it all goes down to personal opinion really and what you can afford. If you can try experimenting with all of them and see what you like the best. Im more of an ink and pencil person really at the moment than a painter ^.^

[Junior Mints]

Well i decided on oil paiints. went to the store yesterday and bought a f-load of supplies for $$$$$$$$$$$$ mucho.

After my first painting, my biggest problem is getting the correct color. I tried for I don't know how long to get the light, but bright yellow of an unripe banana.
The second thing is I didn't buy quick drying linseed oil, and I don't want to wait days for it to dry so I'm basically doing wet-on-wet. I see how easy the grey mud trap is :(

I planned to take a class but there are none offered right now, but the temptation was too great to jump in so i gotta teach myself until i take it. I'd scan my painting so you guys could tell me what i have to do to make it better, but it's still wet after 18 hours......grrrrr :mad:

[mtw]

I'd suggest working with greys at first. That way you only have to get the value correct, and you don't need to worry about color.

If a trip to Massachusettes isn't too long for you, there's a guy over there who's teaching classes throughout the year. He runs Studio Products (http://www.studioproducts.com), and you can find out more about the classes from the message board.