Tuesday, January 12, 2016

How to Get Good at Art Fast

How to Get Good at Art Fast

Growing up and going through several different art schools, I’ve seen A LOT of new people come and go through the processes of learning drawing and painting. People progress at different rates because of other obligations like work or school, and the interest level in some is higher than in others. But there is always that one guy/girl in the class – that one person that seems to start right where you are, but quickly rockets ahead of everyone else. They seem to get good by leaps and bounds. How did they do that? Is it genetic? Are they just putting in more hours?



While some people really do put in the hours, I’ve noticed something else that an art prodigy always has mentally. Here it is >>> they never hesitate to try something< <<. 

They never hesitate to draw another subject or try a different medium. If they see something in a video on art they will try it immediately without procrastination.  The results will be inconsistent, but they’ll start to build up until their best piece now is their worst piece several years from now.

So how can you apply this? Here a few things I recommend:



1)      If you aren’t doing so already, try a harder medium out. If you’ve never sketched with anything other than pencil, try ballpoint pen. If you’re using ball point pen, try a fountain pen. If you’ve never done painting in your life, try that out.
 
One of my closest friends has hardly sketched with anything other than a pencil because he’s afraid of not being able to erase. We’re literally pushing him to try extendedly sketching with a pen.  Using another “less forgiving medium” will give your perspective and present you with new challenges you never thought about. When you use a harder medium, you’ll also find, going back to your old medium, that it’s much easier.  The mule gets stuck in the mud – don’t be a mule. Be a race horse, run like the wind.


2)      Don’t cherish your drawings. It’s easy to get attached your drawings. While I think you should save all your drawings, I don’t think you should take them too seriously, especially while you are in a stage of trying to improve. Cherishing your drawings in the moment will hold you back. You might develop fear, thinking you “don’t want to ruin your drawing,” so it sits there unfinished for months. Which brings me to the third thing…


3)      Finish your sketches! When you are trying things out and pushing yourself to do more, be careful of falling into the habit of not finishing anything you do. Doing so can create bad habits that will really hinder you in the future. And it’s going to be hard to get rid of that habit. It’s a habit where you sketch and about 60% through you get tired and start a new sketch.

Don’t forget to try things out and put some miles on that car. Just do; don’t over-think. It can be tough to come outside your comfort zone, but your overall goal is to be a well-rounded artist. You want to have nothing you are “totally weak” on. This is a key to working in the art field as a career. How to Draw