According to Google’s definition, art is “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, usually in a visual form such as a painting or sculpture, producing works that are valued primarily for their beauty or emotional power.”
People often think that it is easy to paint (they will say the same for art in general, whichever medium you use) and that you just need to sit down, and everything goes easily on its own. In the beginning, we encounter various obstacles, be it things related to the painting itself (basics), our character or technical things (use of paint, brush).
In the art community artists share their experiences which I love. After all, that way we learn and understand that everyone’s artistic journey is different and that everything is not so perfect 24/7. Also, the best artists are still learning and will continue to do so because there is always something new to learn.
As someone who has been painting with acrylic paints for almost five years, I can say that knowing the basics is very important, but also that these things that I will list now can make a huge difference in the creation of your art.
I will share with you 10 things I have learned in these five years since I started painting actively, that have influenced and improved my art.
1. Think like an artist
Art is freedom without limitations. We need to indulge in the process and just create and be in the present moment. This advice is more about the creative side of your brain. Think about what you are creating and how you would like it to look and how to achieve that goal. Your sketchbook can help. Carry it everywhere with you, and when you find inspiration or see something interesting, you can make a couple of sketches and continue later on the canvas. When I come across something that, I like to imagine how I would paint it, in what color or a mixture of colors to get that certain shade, where the shadows would go etc. I think that this exercise will contribute a lot to the development of the creative part of the brain, because you will use that part every day and that will also inspire you.
2. Exercise
I know it sounds like a cliché, but it is true. We can’t progress in anything without practicing, because that’s the only way we can improve. Today we have many sources for learning when it comes to art: YouTube clips, Udemy courses, books, studying work of your favorite artist, classes and other forms of education. Today, we also have many challenges on Instagram where artists paint every day and practice in that way. You don’t have to paint 3 hours every day, even 30 minutes will make a difference.
3. Pause
Sometimes we want to finish the painting in a day and we are excited about the new project. Breaks are very important because in that way we rest our eyes that are used to the same view, and sometimes it is difficult to see if something needs to be changed, added, or taken away. From personal experience, it happens to me all the time. I paint for around four hours and after some time my eyes get too tired and I can’t see what is next step. Usually, painting starts to look ugly, but tomorrow it looks fine. Tomorrow, when I’m fresh, it already looks different to me. During the break, you can do whatever you want, stretch, have some coffee, take a walk, anything.
4. Creative folder
Everyone has a lack of motivation or art burnout, we don’t know what we are going to paint, we have no idea. Well, I have a solution to this problem. I created a special folder in which I put all the photos I come across on the Internet (some photos are mine, some from unsplash.com, if you download other people’s photos, ask for permission to use them), and when I have no ideas, I just pull a photo from there and don’t waste too much time on searching, looking for something that would inspire me to paint. These are photos that inspire me. When I look at them there are beautiful emotions and at that moment, I get the desire to transfer them onto the canvas!
5. Allow yourself to make mistakes
Learn through “mistakes”. I believe that mistakes do not exist because through every experience we learn something and that experience brings us where we are today. That’s how I apply it to painting. Every artist had paintings that were not the most famous and best, but thanks to those paintings, they are where they are today. Every artwork brings us somewhere and with every painted picture we are closer to where we want to be in the future. Mistakes are one way of learning, how will we know if we don’t try? Relax and enjoy the process.
6. Tour the galleries
Visiting galleries can have a very positive effect on us as an artist and our creation. Sometimes we fall into a vicious circle and keep repeating ourselves, learning nothing new. Maybe someone’s art will trigger something in you, to try a new technique, medium, paint a different painting, which you might not otherwise. Galleries will surely inspire you because you will come across so many differences, whether with new mediums or artworks.
7. Drawing
When I went to a famous painter from Herceg Novi, he told me that, in order to paint well, we must draw first. Drawing before painting. Through drawing, we learn proportions, sketching, where the shadow goes, where the light is, etc. You can draw with a pencil, ink or something else you like. Through drawing, we focus on shapes, shadows, and where the light is, which will help us significantly later to make the paintings look as realistic as possible (if you are painting realism). For a start, when you sketch, imagine that you are drawing as a geometric figure, and only later do you work on the right shape and details.
8. Experiment
It is interesting to me how children are not afraid to try new things and how creative children are, while with adults it is a little different. Sometimes we fall into a vicious circle and become monotonous, we are comfortable with what we already know and we don’t move from that point. Experimentation can help a lot. Beautiful pictures, a new technique, fun, new medium, etc. Experimenting will expand our creativity, open us to new ideas and we will learn a lot. For example, painting with just one brush, trying a new medium or combination, a new technique, painting outdoors, digital art, painting with strange objects, etc. It’s important to have fun, just like children do.
I tried: art pouring, abstract art, painting with a single oil paint and acrylic paints together, wet on wet technique, painting with acrylic paints as with water.
9. Paint what you like, not what is currently selling best
I think this is one of the most important tips if you want to paint and sell your works, because it is easy to get lost, and I believe that many artists would like to sell their works and make a living from their art. Through my experience, I have learned that it is not very difficult to get lost, to fall into a vicious circle where you paint what people like, while you do not enjoy creating it. I would say that it happens while we are at the beginning and we do not have that much experience, which is completely normal. Maybe it fulfills an artist to paint an abstraction, their audience loves it and buys it. You try it, but it doesn’t work because you don’t like it. Believe me, it can be felt, because your audience will not like or enjoy it either and if you do not enjoy it you will also feel unhappy. Find what fulfills you to create, and you will also find an audience that loves your work. They will love it, so will you, and you will be very happy to create that art. If you want me to write more on this topic, write it in the comments.
10. Listen to the art podcasts while painting
Listening to audio format is my favorite way to learn because you can do two activities at the same time. In addition to listening and multitasking, you can (if it does not require note taking), clean, listen while riding the bus, walk, and PAINT. Oh yes! I think the best time to listen to art podcasts is when you’re painting. You are already in an art mood, painting and learning about it at the same time. Maybe at that moment, you hear some information that will help you create that artwork you’re currently working on. From personal experience, when I’m painting I switch to that art mood where I absorb like a sponge, and that is the time when I like to learn about art the most.
The podcast channels I recommend and listen to are: The Artist Academy Podcast and Emily Jefford Podcast
Other channels: Ted Talk
How do you feel about this blog post?
Here are my 10 tips that I have prepared for you, which I have discovered from my own experience and the experience of other successful artists. Let me know if you try them and how they’re working out for you. I am happy to communicate with you!
Also, if you have any advice feel free to share it in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog post. I appreciate it! Feel free to share it with your friends. If you want more painting tips, keep following the blog and sign up for the newsletter.
Enjoy painting!