Drawing: This medium can range from the most basic of sketches to intricate architectural designs. Drawings are generally created with a pencil, pen, charcoal, or crayon. Drawings can be of objects placed right in front of you, or images out of your imagination. Painting: This medium uses paint brushes to create both real life and imagined images with paint. Painting often delves into the abstract–a painting made in red and purple hues might be a representation of a feeling–such as love–that the painter was feeling while he or she worked. Photography: Photography uses a film or digital camera to capture a moment in time. Photographs often tell us about what the world was like at the exact moment that the photo was taken. Photos can reflect great beauty or great horror–just as the world can too. Sculpting: Sculpting is the process of taking a material (clay, wood, metal, etc. ) and shaping the material into a work of art or a functional tool (and sometimes both at the same time. )
Another important thing to keep in mind is which medium you enjoy working with most. If you are fantastic drawer but feel yourself pulled toward sculpting, why not give this new medium a try.
Part of researching your medium means learning the basics about that medium. Learn about the color wheel (primary colors vs. secondary colors, how shading works, etc. ) A key part of your research should consist of what supplies you will need to actually create art. If you can’t seem to find a specific list, you can also use an internet search engine and type in something like ‘basic art supplies needed for drawing. ’
If you are not sure of what you need, or how necessary a particular item it, be sure to ask an attendant. Chances are they will turn out to be deep wells of artistic knowledge (they may even be able to point you in the direction of some art classes. )
For instance, if you see a couple sitting under a tree, notice how their bodies interact with the nature around them. What is the light like? What colors are predominant? How would you frame the scene–would you focus on their faces, on the colors, on the tree? Paying attention to how you see the world will help you to translate your observations into art.
Ask them what they think you could get better at. Maybe you have a hard time drawing hands, or you can’t seem to get the handle of a clay mug quite right. A second pair of eyes will help you to see what needs work.
For example, if you like to paint still-life paintings, try painting a still life by adding your own touch to it rather that simply replicating what is in front of you. Change the colors, make the subjects look cartoon-y or distorted in some way–play around with it.
To find art classes in your town, you can look at local newspaper event listings, talk to friends you might have in the artist community, or simply run a search for ‘art classes in [Name of Your Town]’ on your favorite internet search engine.
A great way to improve in your artistic medium is to select a work by a master and try to replicate it as best you can. For instance, if you want to improve your painting skills, pick a painting by Vincent Van Gogh, such as “Starry Night” and try to paint it. When you have painted it as close to the original as possible, paint it again, this time allowing yourself to go a little outside the original. Add details that you think you would have added, had you been standing next to Van Gogh looking up at that starry sky. Perhaps the colors would be different, the tree more (or less) defined, etc.
You should also consider going to an art school vs. attending university. Some universities have excellent art programs. The main difference is that art schools will tailor their general education classes around art (for instance, a history GE course that might normally be ‘History of the United States’ would instead be ‘Artists in the American Revolution. ’
To find like-minded artists, see if your town, school, or church has any artist clubs that you could join. You could look in newspaper event listings, or search for local groups on the internet. You could even consider joining a virtual art group–there are many online forums that you can become a part of and chat with people who love art as much as you do.
Look for art networking events in your area. Run an internet search of art events and networking opportunities in your area. Go out of your way to meet people who you think may be able to help you become a better artist or boost your career. If a professor says her world-famous painter friend is coming to town, and you are an aspiring painter, ask your professor if you could perhaps briefly meet with her friend. Don’t be let down if she says no–there are truly thousands of opportunities for you to build your network.
You could also talk to local galleries and see if you could get some of your pieces into their next show. Galleries often like to promote local art.
If you have gone to art school, find out if any of your professors need a studio assistant or any help with projects that he or she is working on. Professors can be a great link to the more prominent art world, and working with them in their studio will help you to practice what they have taught you in their classes.
