Looking to pick up art as a hobby or career option and see how far you can go? This article will help you start off on the right steps.
Art is an activity that allows us to express our inner thoughts and passions and give them an artistic form. Whether you are new to art or experienced and just want to branch off into a different art style then, have come to the right place. Giving form to what resides in your mind can never be repetitive or plagiarized, as it is unique to you. Hence, art has no endpoint, and nor does it ever run out of techniques and skills to learn. So, let’s start by honing your basics.
The Basics of Becoming an Artist
In order to become an artist who is able to draw and paint without getting stuck on any barriers, you need to polish your basic skills and choose an art style that you plan on sticking to for a while before trying something new. There are seven principles of art that you need to master to become a true artist. These are essentially known as the basics of art, so learn them before attempting to become an artist.
1. Art Style that Inspires You
As art is a subject in which the main drive consists within your heart and soul, you should do research and pick an art style that connects with you. There is an infinite amount of different art forms, so when asked what is the most popular form of art, it is difficult to give a single answer. The answer is highly subjective and changes on a regular basis.
This is the first step to finding what you wish to draw into existence. A few popular art styles are Pop art, Street art, Abstract art, Still life art, and Portraiture art. Find what appeals to you the most and move on to practicing your craft.
2. Practice = Better Results
Once you have decided on which direction to go with your art, it’s time to start making steps toward that direction. With every bit of effort, you pour into your art and craft, you’ll find things to improve and things to practice. Practicing a bit of art every day will help you keep a good muscle memory and elevate your motor skills.
Although at first you will make silly mistakes and take a long time to finish a piece of art; with time you will see that it is becoming like second nature for you. In art, it is said that there is an infinite number of directions to go but no destination. This means that there is no max skill level for you so keep practicing until you are satisfied.
3. Painting Techniques & Mediums
Now, assuming that you’ve gotten a grip on how to draw, it is time to think about adding some vibrance to your craft. Although paint is not necessary, and a painting without it has its own aesthetic, it may not appeal to everyone. This is because, although minimalism is worth admiring, some people have their own visions which they cannot bring to life without colors.
There are many different painting techniques such as acrylic painting, graffiti, oil painting, mural, etc. Try out different methods and see which one suits your needs best.
Another thing to experiment on is to find the best medium. A medium basically refers to what the artist has used to create his artworks. These are strongly related to the paint, and art direction you are pursuing. As art is not restricted to only pencils and regular colors, trying out some new ideas is always a good decision. Some interesting mediums are chalk, Ink Pens, Charcoal, etc.
4. Seek Assistance
Art can be quite a difficult subject, especially for those with little knowledge of it. However, this should not discourage you from picking it up as a hobby. Learning new things helps us become capable human beings. If you are struggling at first, go online and look up some basic tutorials and guides on how to improve your drawings. Furthermore, you can join clubs where an expert will be there to help along with a lot of other students with whom you can cooperate and grow together.
5. Preplan for Your Projects
Lastly, before you pick up your pencils and brushes, you need to create a vision for what you are going to draw. Plan out your painting, as what you want to express with it is very important. Additionally, the people who view your paintings are always bound to feel something, so the message of your art will be crucial to your image as an artist.
Putting the philosophical parts aside, be sure to plan out the colors you wish to use and all the necessary tools to that the final product comes out just as you had envisioned it. This may be a difficult task at the beginning, as a lot of us just go with the flow, but a well-thought-out painting is bound to come out better.
In Conclusion
Art has no boundaries. Picking up art is well backed up by artists all around the world, ask any one of them and they will say that it is their escape or where they find peace. Although the learning curve may seem endless and days of practice may feel like a waste sometimes, it is that practice that makes you better, not just as an artist but as a human. We hope that this article has helped you start out your new journey as an artist and we wish that you find joy traveling in this new world of paint and paper. Good Luck!