There are a lot of ways a person can take a path to become an artist. If he or she possesses the required skills and the determination to be an artist, he or she may just succeed in becoming one. At least that’s what everyone thinks. In reality, it takes more than that to succeed in making “being an artist” a profitable profession.
Creativity, determination and charisma are just some of the things a good artist has to have in order to become a full-fledged artist. Some people can do this easily, being gifted with the talents necessary to become an artist. Some artists were not born with the talent, but they desperately wanted to be one so much that they persevered into becoming one. Of course, there are people who were just not meant to become artists, no matter how hard they worked for it. For those who think they’ll have to rely on hard work, here are some tips that may help:
Master the Basics
Learning the basics of any art form is an important phase in becoming an artist. An aspiring artist must master the basics of his or her craft in order to develop their own style. This is especially true for people who want to learn how to draw and paint. In photography, for example, a person may want to learn how to avoid intense light and glare. A songwriter must be able to make a lyrical song. And a sculptor must know how to etch or chisel different materials. Without any knowledge of the basics, it would be hard for people to try out more advanced techniques. The story of artists who have trouble drawing hands and feet is all too common, despite the numerous guides on the internet.
Master the Tools
Not only do aspiring artists need to be familiar with the basic techniques of his chosen craft, but they must also be familiar with the tools of their trade. Most artists still draw with traditional materials and paper, for example, but using drawing tablets is popular these days as well. Technology has finally advanced to the point that tablets now come with integrated LCD screens so that the users can see what they are drawing, making things more convenient for them. As for musicians, they can edit their music through their computers. They can even buy apps that can add a “singer” for their songs.
Part of the reason why some artists are finding their craft hard is that they don’t make use of the proper tools or convenient modern tools, for a lot of reasons, like not being able to afford them.
Find Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Different people have different talents and the same can be said about the diversity of artists. This is why art has flourished with a diverse list of art forms and styles. Different genres of music or different styles of drawing, for example, requires different sets of skills. Being realistic with what you can, and what you can’t do, will make it easier for you to set goals and expectations from your audience.
Keep Polishing Your Skills
A well-known fact some people noted about skills and talents is that the longer you don’t use a talent, the most likely you’ll forget how to do it. Constant practice and research seem to be a good way to keep your skills in shape. Those who cannot take the time to polish their skills will eventually become less familiar with their art over time. Some may even have to begin to train all over again to find their muse once more.
1st Image: Van Gogh practising hands, via arthive.com
2nd Image: Kids practising music, mumsgather.blogspot.com
