5 answers
Nia
Student
Long Beach, California
1
Question
Asked
429 views
How can I approve on my art?
I want to get better at art but I'm stuck. Help?
Login to comment
5 answers
Li Panidara
Graphic Designer
5
Answers
Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Updated
Li’s Answer
Hey Nia!
This was something I got stuck at too. But let me spill you the tea and how I got out of it.
First things first, don't stress. Every artist has been at the crossroads of improvement. It's like a rollercoaster ride, and trust me, the best views come after the most crazy loops.
First off, create like there's no tomorrow. Get a sketchbook or a tablet and doodle your heart out. Doodling isn't just for boredom; it's your superpower warm-up. Scribble, sketch, and let your imagination run wild. The more you doodle, the more your hand and brain sync up together.
Then mix it up and try new things. Break out of your comfort zone. Literally step out of your box. Think like you're the master of sketches, throw some paint or whatever the medium you like into the mix. Experiment with different mediums; watercolors, digital art, clay – you name it. Trying new things not only keeps it exciting but also expands your artistic toolkit.
Next, steal like an artist (legally, of course!). Don't be afraid to be inspired by other artists. Study their techniques, observe how they play with light and shadows, and then sprinkle your own magic on it. It's not about copying; it's about learning from the best and making it uniquely yours. For this, you can browse sites like Dribbble, Behance and Pinterest.
Then comes the feedback. Show your work to friends and family who appreciates art. Feedback, whether it's praise or constructive criticism, is gold. It gives you fresh perspectives and helps you see your art through different lenses. You can maybe even ask feedback on socials if you have social media.
Also, learn from the pros. Dive into the ocean of online tutorials, workshops, and courses. There's a whole universe of knowledge waiting for you. Platforms like Skillshare, YouTube, and Udemy will help you with it. I always prefer Youtube and Tiktok.
Then challenge yourself. Set challenges for yourself. It could be a daily sketch challenge, a theme based challenge, or even recreating famous artworks in your own style. Challenges keep the creative juices flowing and add a dash of fun to your journey. Moreover, connect with fellow artists on social media (Instagram, for example) and join art communities online or find local art groups.
Remember, Nia, remember it like this! Art is a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the process, embrace the challenges, and celebrate every detail of improvement. You're not stuck; you're just gearing up for the next exciting chapter in your artistic journey. Keep creating and exploring! Would like to see you soaring one day!
This was something I got stuck at too. But let me spill you the tea and how I got out of it.
First things first, don't stress. Every artist has been at the crossroads of improvement. It's like a rollercoaster ride, and trust me, the best views come after the most crazy loops.
First off, create like there's no tomorrow. Get a sketchbook or a tablet and doodle your heart out. Doodling isn't just for boredom; it's your superpower warm-up. Scribble, sketch, and let your imagination run wild. The more you doodle, the more your hand and brain sync up together.
Then mix it up and try new things. Break out of your comfort zone. Literally step out of your box. Think like you're the master of sketches, throw some paint or whatever the medium you like into the mix. Experiment with different mediums; watercolors, digital art, clay – you name it. Trying new things not only keeps it exciting but also expands your artistic toolkit.
Next, steal like an artist (legally, of course!). Don't be afraid to be inspired by other artists. Study their techniques, observe how they play with light and shadows, and then sprinkle your own magic on it. It's not about copying; it's about learning from the best and making it uniquely yours. For this, you can browse sites like Dribbble, Behance and Pinterest.
Then comes the feedback. Show your work to friends and family who appreciates art. Feedback, whether it's praise or constructive criticism, is gold. It gives you fresh perspectives and helps you see your art through different lenses. You can maybe even ask feedback on socials if you have social media.
Also, learn from the pros. Dive into the ocean of online tutorials, workshops, and courses. There's a whole universe of knowledge waiting for you. Platforms like Skillshare, YouTube, and Udemy will help you with it. I always prefer Youtube and Tiktok.
Then challenge yourself. Set challenges for yourself. It could be a daily sketch challenge, a theme based challenge, or even recreating famous artworks in your own style. Challenges keep the creative juices flowing and add a dash of fun to your journey. Moreover, connect with fellow artists on social media (Instagram, for example) and join art communities online or find local art groups.
Remember, Nia, remember it like this! Art is a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the process, embrace the challenges, and celebrate every detail of improvement. You're not stuck; you're just gearing up for the next exciting chapter in your artistic journey. Keep creating and exploring! Would like to see you soaring one day!
Niha D
Physical Therapist
60
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Niha’s Answer
Just do it! It's old advice, and super nerdy to say it, but it's true. You just have to get it out there. Find what works for you, and find what doesn't.
The thing about art is that it is entirely subjective, so what one person likes, another might hate. With social media the way it is, there is inspiration everywhere. Just get started and let your imagination take you away.
If you're looking for more concrete ideas:
1) Look into free courses on youtube, or just online in general. Social media has given rise to the advent of the self-taught.
2) Try different mediums. Some people are just good at art because they got lucky and found their specific talent young. If there's something you haven't tried, think about stepping outside your comfort zone to do so. Maybe you're not the next Van Gogh, but instead, the next Vera Bradley.
3) If you plan to take this seriously, make time everyday to work on it. Set a schedule and stick to it.
The thing about art is that it is entirely subjective, so what one person likes, another might hate. With social media the way it is, there is inspiration everywhere. Just get started and let your imagination take you away.
If you're looking for more concrete ideas:
1) Look into free courses on youtube, or just online in general. Social media has given rise to the advent of the self-taught.
2) Try different mediums. Some people are just good at art because they got lucky and found their specific talent young. If there's something you haven't tried, think about stepping outside your comfort zone to do so. Maybe you're not the next Van Gogh, but instead, the next Vera Bradley.
3) If you plan to take this seriously, make time everyday to work on it. Set a schedule and stick to it.
James Harrington
Customer Service Representative
1
Answer
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
James’s Answer
Don't worry. Getting stop is something that will happen from time to time when trying to improve your art. It's hard to say what you could improve on without actually seeing your art. My best advice I can give you is to study the anatomy of the human body. Try drawing from reference and then draw without it to see what you could improve on. I write notes to tell myself how I could fix improve on a certain part. The more you are able to understand the human body, the better and easier it would be for you to draw it in the future. I would also recommended try redrawing old artworks with what you know now. This will help you see how much you're improved since then.
Hopefully this advice will greatly help you. Best of luck to you!
Hopefully this advice will greatly help you. Best of luck to you!
Sarah Webb
Interior designer
15
Answers
Bakersfield, California
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Keep going, keep going, keep going! Mastery comes with repetition. There's a wealth of free online art and drawing classes available for you. As an interior designer, sketching and drawing are essential skills for me. Yet, there was a point when I struggled with some of the sketches required. However, with plenty of practice and the help of concise instructional videos, I saw a significant improvement in my skills. So, don't let setbacks get you down, keep pushing forward!
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Nia
Getting stuck in your art is not unusual, most artists experience this at some point. The important thing is not to give up; you'll get back on track. You need to be patient with yourself and recognize that this is part of growing as an artist. We often feel stuck when what we are doing with our artwork is not meaningful or satisfying to us anymore, so we need think about the next step. Without seeing your artwork, I can only make some very broad suggestions, but I hope these help.
Take a break from your usual art making. Sometimes leaving your work alone for a few days and then coming back to it will give you a fresh perspective. Read something you enjoy, go out for some walks, play video games, or just hang out with your friends. When you go back to your art, think about what you are trying to say with your artwork. Ask yourself what you really like about your art, and what you don't like about your art and would like to improve. Name 3 things that are working in your art, such as the way you drew something, or the colors you chose, or the subject, and then name 3 things that you think you need to improve. Being able to identify what you want to say with your artwork and what you feel is working and what is not working in your art is an important step. Sometimes this is difficult to do on your own, so I'm hoping you have an art teacher you could talk to about your work and get suggestions on how to improve. If you are taking art, please have this conversation with your current art teacher.
Go to your school or local library and see what "how to" books they have for art. There are lots of books on drawing and painting out there, and you can always learn something from looking at them. Same with websites and YouTube videos.
Change up your art making for a short while. If you have been doing a lot of painting, maybe change mediums, for example, do watercolor instead of acrylic. Or try something new, like drawing with fine line markers and coloring with markers. Change up your subject matter, if you've been drawing figures, maybe do some landscapes or flowers. Just have fun and do not judge your work. If you really don't know what to do, then just doodle; get a pad of paper and a pencil and just start making random designs.
Look at artwork by other artists. If you can, spend some time in a museum and a gallery, or find a museum website you like. Look at random artworks, or focus in on artists who create artwork that is similar to yours. Without seeing your artwork, it is difficult to make suggestions, but again, if you are taking art, ask your art teacher for suggestions of artists who you might find interesting. Art Museum websites you might check out are: The Getty Museum, The National Gallery Washington DC, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Art Institute of Chicago, and The Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Finally, don't be too hard on yourself. Be patient with your art making. It takes time and practice to learn and to perfect art skills, and every young artist progresses at their own pace. Resist the temptation to compare yourself to your classmates or other young artists. Keep making your artwork, and have fun.
Getting stuck in your art is not unusual, most artists experience this at some point. The important thing is not to give up; you'll get back on track. You need to be patient with yourself and recognize that this is part of growing as an artist. We often feel stuck when what we are doing with our artwork is not meaningful or satisfying to us anymore, so we need think about the next step. Without seeing your artwork, I can only make some very broad suggestions, but I hope these help.
Take a break from your usual art making. Sometimes leaving your work alone for a few days and then coming back to it will give you a fresh perspective. Read something you enjoy, go out for some walks, play video games, or just hang out with your friends. When you go back to your art, think about what you are trying to say with your artwork. Ask yourself what you really like about your art, and what you don't like about your art and would like to improve. Name 3 things that are working in your art, such as the way you drew something, or the colors you chose, or the subject, and then name 3 things that you think you need to improve. Being able to identify what you want to say with your artwork and what you feel is working and what is not working in your art is an important step. Sometimes this is difficult to do on your own, so I'm hoping you have an art teacher you could talk to about your work and get suggestions on how to improve. If you are taking art, please have this conversation with your current art teacher.
Go to your school or local library and see what "how to" books they have for art. There are lots of books on drawing and painting out there, and you can always learn something from looking at them. Same with websites and YouTube videos.
Change up your art making for a short while. If you have been doing a lot of painting, maybe change mediums, for example, do watercolor instead of acrylic. Or try something new, like drawing with fine line markers and coloring with markers. Change up your subject matter, if you've been drawing figures, maybe do some landscapes or flowers. Just have fun and do not judge your work. If you really don't know what to do, then just doodle; get a pad of paper and a pencil and just start making random designs.
Look at artwork by other artists. If you can, spend some time in a museum and a gallery, or find a museum website you like. Look at random artworks, or focus in on artists who create artwork that is similar to yours. Without seeing your artwork, it is difficult to make suggestions, but again, if you are taking art, ask your art teacher for suggestions of artists who you might find interesting. Art Museum websites you might check out are: The Getty Museum, The National Gallery Washington DC, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Art Institute of Chicago, and The Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Finally, don't be too hard on yourself. Be patient with your art making. It takes time and practice to learn and to perfect art skills, and every young artist progresses at their own pace. Resist the temptation to compare yourself to your classmates or other young artists. Keep making your artwork, and have fun.