Many artists naturally gravitate toward their creative pursuits. They grow up surrounded by art. Everywhere they look, there is art. They grow up creating art. However, it turns out that this isn’t the case for everyone. Many of them created their first work much later in life. Self-taught artists aren’t as rare as you might think.
5 Tips for Beginner, Self-Taught Artists
Don’t ignore Art Fundamentals
They are fundamental elements of art that the teacher wants the student to learn, understand and practice. They are important for an artist to learn and understand. This is equally essential for any art student to understand because (among other things) the art fundamentals are the things students are tested on.
Embrace exploration and enjoy the journey
Art is all about expression and creativity, and though those elements might be different depending on which art you like, they all require a certain level of exploration. Exploring something new is the best way to grow as a person and the best way to grow as an artist, so whether you’re a neophyte doing your first drawing or a professional looking for new ways to express your creativity, embrace exploration and enjoy the journey in art.
Join some kind of artist group or community and try to obtain (constructive) feedback from artists that are a bit farther ahead than you are
There is nothing like competition to keep one’s creative juices flowing. With all of the competition in the world, it is no wonder that the art community is filled with elaborate rivalries. With friends like these, it only makes sense that there is so much rivalry in the art community. However, they are not a bad thing. They motivate us to work even harder, give our all, and really try to achieve our goals.
Stay consistent and stay focused on your goal
When starting an art project, setting goals is important. But, if your goal is to create something of professional quality, then you also need to be committed. When starting out, the artist often feels discouraged because they come across hurdle after hurdle and get discouraged. But, if you want to be the best, you have to push yourself through those obstacles. Set goals, don’t get distracted, keep at it, and don’t give up.
If you’re an artist, you know that some days are better than others. Some days, you stare at a blank canvas or a blank page and wonder what on earth you should start painting. On other days, you spend the entire day drawing, sculpting, or painting, and by the time you finally finish, you’re exhausted. No matter what type of medium you use (digital art like drawing in a graphics program, painting in oils, or sculpting with clay), some days are easier than others. The tip of the day is to never give up on your art; instead, figure out what works best for you, and stick with it
Realize how far you’ve come and stayed positive
The past is in the past. You cannot change it, learn from it, or grow from it. You have to stay in the present. No matter how good your past has been, it is over, and you have to accept it and move on. That is not to say that you should never look back because sometimes that is the only way to truly appreciate how far you have come. But looking too far back can make you lose sight of how far you have come, and this can be detrimental to your positive mindset.
Life is full of ups and downs, of certain challenges that make us want to give up. Sometimes it’s the little things that get to us, like not meeting deadlines or not having enough hours or energy in the day. However, if you can take a moment to look back at how far you’ve come, you will realize how far you’ve come and how far you have to go. Focus on the positive, not on negativity, and you’ll find it much easier to get through the tough times.
It’s natural to feel negative at times, but it’s important to remember that you’re a strong person. Don’t get bogged down in negative feelings, but rather use them as fuel to motivate yourself to continue moving forward. Art is a great outlet for indulging negative feelings without letting them take over your life. Keep a journal that can help with those negative thoughts, but also write positive notes. Being in a positive mindset keeps you moving forward and motivated. When negative thoughts creep in, remind yourself how far you’ve come and that a good night’s sleep will clear your mind.
Becoming a self-taught artist, in my opinion, is possible. You can teach yourself everything, including drawing and painting, the ways you can use for art. I’m a self-taught artist, and I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a child. I am an active artist. I do commissions, shows, etc., and I make art in my spare time. I hope my story gives you some inspiration and shows you that art is possible.