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
