Is watercolor best for a newbie?

[tostra]

watercolor is a hard medium to work with. For beginners I would suggest low cost acrylic or guache. With these two, there´s not much to know - mix and paint, clean your brushes with water. I would buy 12-piece color set and few brushes (free choice), a cup of water, something to mix colors on and some toilet paper for cleaning. Also you will need something to paint on (paper, wood etc). With watercolor, definitely watercolor paper.

[ehoeveler]

All good suggestions from Tostra! I myself got started using gouache
on canvas paper. Watercolor is a delicate medium that requires a steady,
practiced hand. Now, only thing I would disagree with Tostra is, instead
of using toilet paper, use paper towels - they're stronger and sop up messes
a lot better! Good Luck and I can't wait to see your efforts! ehoeveler

[Amigone]

Oddly every teacher I've ever had has started us on watercolor first. I do think Acrylic is the easiest to start with because you don't have to know as much theory.

Also I would probably start with something like a liqutex set. Not the cheap-o paints from walmart or something like that. Use actual fine art paint.

I like the viva papertowls. They're cloth like and soak up a lot. They're my favorite. Oh, and buy some brush cleaner.

[ehoeveler]

Absolutely, Amigone - Start big by using the higher-quality paint
so one can see the beauty of the color! Brush cleaner good also
or just a light soapy water. OK, Alvin - Bring it. We're waiting. E.

[SteveJacky]

Watercolor is bit hard for the new bies..so they may get practice in other sections!

[ivo55]

Watercolour it is a bit hard for newbie, however it is a joy after achieving some skills

[johnlobbs]

Learning to oil paint takes patience and the time to develop your skills, but the learning process can be part of the joy landscape painting brings. Outdoor oil painting and outdoor observation using oil sketches is central to my landscape painting.

[artauction]

Here are some suggestions for best oil paintings:

1. Choose a place to work where there is good ventilation.
2. Put on your painting clothes.
3. Set up your paints
4. Clean your brushes well between color changes
5. Give your work of art its space

[Phil_B]

i must have jumped in at the deep end then as i started with watercolours at school before moving onto acrylic paint. i think the reason being was that watercolour blocks were cheaper than acrylic paint at school, was not allowed to use acrylic until the age of 15 at school or at least to a level where it would not be wasted. never used oils until i was 23, i'm 26 now. never looked back since as oils is my main medium when painting.

[ehoeveler]

Excellent advice, John and thanks, Phil for the memory
of the watercolor experience. I went basically through the same thing...E

[nigelartist]

I must be the awkward one! I started off painting flowers and birds in watercolour then moved onto painting landscapes/seascapes/cityscapes/abstracts in oil. I find oil an easier medium as its more forgiving and adaptable to change than watercolour.

I hope all this advice helps.

Best of luck!