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How to be an artist
There's no artist “test.”
Becoming an artist isn't something that naturally lends itself to a step-by-step plan, despite what some illustrated turtle tells you. (Remember that guy?) So, what is an artist? Merriam-Webster defines art as, “The conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.” Sounds easy enough, but where do you start? Without claiming to be a "guide", per se, here are some steps you can take and resources you can use to inspire you and get those creative juices flowing. Try some or all to unleash the artist inside you!
Take an art break
What types of artwork really engage you? Maybe it's oil paintings, illustrations or sculptures. Think about art and artists you've seen in the past that have captured your imagination, and use this as a starting point if you aren't sure which medium or subject matter to try first.
If you haven't been exposed to much art in your life, and there isn't a gallery or a museum near you, try some of the resources at the end of this article for ideas and inspiration. Don't forget about your local library or bookstore, either, which are sure to have a bunch of books and magazines with plenty of eye candy.
While you're looking at books, grab one on art history. Learning about the history of art will let you know what's been done before and why, and this greater appreciation of art will help you be a better artist.
Relax
If you're worried about every line that you first put down, you'll never get anywhere. While you create, withhold judgement and just enjoy the process. Sometimes when things aren't turning out how you'd hoped it can be frustrating, but try to stay positive. The worst thing that can happen is that you learn from your mistakes and get to start a new piece entirely. If you find yourself getting too anxious, take a break and come back later.Just do art
When you first start out, don't worry about having proper materials or anything like that. A simple pen or pencil and paper is fine.Here's a good warmup exercise to loosen you up:
- Grab a piece of paper. The larger the better, but an 8.5x11 will work fine if that's all you have.
- With a medium to fine-tip pen, divide the paper roughly into rectangles, each one about the size of a business card for a standard sheet. If your paper is big, you can make the rectangles bigger, as well.
- Pick a subject to draw. Maybe it's a tree, a stuffed animal, or a shoe. Make sure it is interesting to you in some way, since there's no point in drawing something that you're bored with.
- Draw the scene QUICKLY in 60 seconds in one of the rectangles you created in the second step, then move instantly on to the next cell without a break. Repeat, and don't look back at your other drawings if you can help it. Focus on the basic shapes and characteristics of the subject, whether it's an object or a landscape.
- For each 60 second drawing, use the same subject but try to improve each time. Even though you're not looking back at your previous drawings, you'll have some idea of what you'd like to do differently as you move along. If you're up to it, try a different style here and there (e.g. small lines, one continuous line, groups of basic shapes).
- Once you're done filling up the entire sheet, give yourself a pat on the back! Look back over your work. If any of them stand out to you in some way, keep those qualities in mind for a more detailed piece, later.
Remember to relax and move quickly when you first start. After you're comfortable with sketching these thumbnails, you can start adding color and details to larger, more finished artwork.
Observe the world around you
Spend some time studying the look of an object or scene. Notice the way the light reflects and casts shadows, and how perspective might affect the perceived shapes. Look at colors. The sky isn't simply blue, clouds aren't simply white, and when you look, most things have a range and depth of colors and values contained within them. See how light can bring out details and texture in objects that give them a three-dimensional appearance.Light has to be one of the most important aspects of any composition. It helps tell the viewer what depth the scene has, where objects are in space, and what texture and color they have. Grab a lamp or a flashlight, go to a dark room, and cast light on something to really get a good idea of how the angle of light and distance from the object can change its appearance dramatically. Setting up a still life with your own lighting is also a good way to have a consistent visual when taking hours or days to create a piece.
Be patient
Here's the most important tip to becoming an artist: Practice. That might sound cliché, but it's true. Let yourself make mistakes and learn from them; that's the only way you'll ever get better. Expect to be unhappy with a lot of the work you produce, because if you aren't, you'll never grow as an artist. Finally, enjoy the process. You're on your way to creating amazing art!Resources for artistic inspiration
Online art galleries and museums
- Foundmyself art gallery (of course!)
- The Museum of Modern Art
- Smithsonian
- Tate
- National Gallery, London
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- The Louvre
- Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
- The Hermitage, St. Petersburg
- The Guggenheim, Bilbao, Spain
- The Uffizi, Florence, Italy