10 Easy Canvas Painting Ideas for Beginners

Staring at a blank canvas and not knowing what to paint is very common. The good news is that many easy canvas painting ideas need only a few colours, one or two brushes and an afternoon. This Haanz Art Guide gives you ten simple ideas for beginners, students and anyone who wants a relaxing weekend project, plus the supplies to get started.

What you need to start

• Canvas: square canvases are easy to plan. The Bomeijia Canvas 20 x 20 cm is a popular first size, and the Bomeijia Canvas 20 x 30 cm suits landscapes. For quick gifts, try the Mont Marte Mini Canvas 10 x 8cm (2pcs).
• Paint: the Art Rangers Acrylic 12 x 12ml set covers all the ideas below. If you paint often, the Art Rangers Acrylic 12 x 22ml set has larger tubes.
• Brushes: a Bomeijia Brush set 6Pcs gives you a few sizes to start with.
• Masking tape: Nyoni Artist Masking Tape is low-tack, so it is handy for clean lines and borders.
• Palette: a Mixing Tray With Thumb Hole for mixing.

Browse all sizes in Drawing Canvasses and paint sets in Acrylic Colour Packs. Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price.

10 easy canvas painting ideas for beginners

1. Sunset with palm trees. Blend yellow, orange and pink bands across the canvas. When dry, paint black palm trunks and leaves as silhouettes along the bottom. A classic Sri Lankan coast scene.
2. Layered mountains. Paint four or five hill shapes, one behind the other. Start with the palest blue at the back and make each layer a little darker towards the front.
3. Full moon over the sea. Paint a dark blue sky and sea. Add a white circle for the moon and a broken line of white and pale yellow strokes on the water below it.
4. Tape abstract. Stick tape across the canvas in random lines. Fill each shape with a different colour. Peel the tape off once the paint is dry to the touch for crisp white lines.
5. Simple flowers. Paint round blobs of colour, then add petals with a lighter mix and dot the centres. Our Acrylic Flower Painting guide below explains each step.
6. Galaxy sky. Blend dark blue, purple and a little pink, then flick tiny white stars with an old toothbrush.
7. Hot air balloons. Paint a pale sky and a few cloud shapes. Add two or three balloons in bright stripes, with small baskets below.
8. Cactus in a pot. Paint a plain background, a terracotta pot and a green cactus. Add tiny white lines for spines and a pink flower on top.
9. Tea hills. Paint rolling green hills in rows, using yellow-green at the front and blue-green at the back. Dab rows of small dots for tea bushes and add a misty white sky.
10. Colour block hearts or circles. Draw simple shapes in a grid and fill each one with a different colour. A fun idea for children and a bright piece for a bedroom wall.

How to make easy canvas paintings look neat

• Plan with a light sketch. Use a pencil lightly, or sketch with thin, watery paint.
• Paint from back to front. Do the sky and background first, then the middle, then small details on top.
• Let layers dry. Acrylic is usually dry to the touch quickly, but thick paint takes longer, especially on humid days.
• Paint the edges. Carry the background colour round the sides of the canvas. Then you can hang it without a frame.
• Use fewer colours. Three or four colours plus white often look calmer than ten.

Finishing and displaying your painting

When the painting is completely dry, you can protect it with a thin coat of FUJIN Acrylic Varnish 100ml. Brush it on in one direction in a dust-free room. Sign your work on the front or back, add the date, and hang it away from strong direct sunlight.

New to canvas? Start with Your First Acrylic Painting on Canvas. For ideas 5 and 6, see Acrylic Flower Painting for Beginners and Galaxy and Night Sky Painting.

Frequently asked questions

What size canvas should a beginner use?

A small canvas, such as 20 x 20 cm or 20 x 30 cm, is easiest. You can finish it in one sitting and it needs less paint. Move to larger sizes when you feel confident.

Do I need to prime a ready-made canvas?

Most ready-made canvases are already primed. The Bomeijia canvases we stock are gesso-primed and ready to paint, so you can start straight away.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? Call / WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose a canvas size and paint set for your first project.

More Haanz Art Guides

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