We all love art. The best art gives us the freedom to enter a different place and world, setting our creative juices flowing as we are reminded of all the perspectives that differ from our own. The problem is, not all of us can share in the creativity and brilliance that we see in art every day.
You can’t, unfortunately, simply pick up a paint brush and knock out your own piece of art in an hour or two. Well, you could, but it wouldn’t be very good! Becoming a good artist takes time and practice, with an emphasis on learning from the best and fine-tuning your technique until it’s perfect.
Having said that, if you are determined, there are ways to get better quickly. All you need is a bit of patience and a drive to do everything you can to see the results. With this in mind, here are a three of the best ways to accomplish your goal and become a good artist in a short space of time:
Start With The Basics
The most important thing to remember when attempting to become a good artist, is that art doesn’t have to be complicated. Even the very best artists create simple art; something that is based solely around ideas and style. Take a look at this jewish art, for instance. The images are simple and minimalist, but they roar with emotion and translate most of their beauty in the idea that they are transcribing.
In this way, you need to hone down the basics and create your own simple but effective sketches. Then, once you’re done, take a look and see what worked. The point of this exercise is nailing down the basics, but also seeing if you can glean your own style from the sketches that you draw.
Get The Best Equipment
It cannot be overstated how many artists are happy to make do with mediocre pencils, paints or paper. But these are your tools. With pencils, you can have a distinct hardness and softness, and paper can either be rough or smooth. It matters which you go for, and the result will be in the art itself.
Think about it this way: professional photographers don’t go around shooting with their phone or disposable cameras. They pick the best camera they can afford and that gives them a far better chance of translating their vision. The same goes for artists too.
Observe Everything
Lastly, it is important that you observe everything. And we mean everything. When you’re sitting in a room, look at how the light moves and how the shadows contort. If you’re outside, look at the details around you, the shine of the dew on the grass or the change in direction of the rain.
This will all stick with you and you will undoubtedly refer back to it when you are coming up with a composition of a scene. As well as this, observe other people’s work. Watch films, go to art galleries, utilise social media and follow your favourite artists. This isn’t about copying anyone, it’s simply about observing different compositions, positions, features, and using that as inspiration when you sit down with your own paint brush.