Getting Started With Art (Part Two)

1. Finish What You Begin

One of the most important things is to always finish your artworks and projects. It will lead you to improving your fundamentals and discovering new techniques. Once you begin an artwork, it is important to keep the momentum going. With each new painting I experience a level of excitement and enthusiasm that pushes the artwork to its completion. If the momentum slows down or stops completely, it is difficult to recapture the motivation to finish the artwork, with me I am ready to start the next artwork. Remember to give yourself a break when you need it, because you cannot force creativity. In the end finish what you start even if the artwork doesn’t meet your expectations. No matter, continue to paint. Eventually the work you complete now, will be eclipsed by your future works. With each artwork, you have learnt something in the process of painting it. This knowledge and improved skills will be carried to the next painting. 

2. Deconstruct

If you are struggling with drawing a specific thing, you have to deconstruct what you wish to draw. Look up other peoples sketches, because they can give you a new perspective, as sketches generally have an obvious outline. Progress videos are wonderful to watch as well. You see the artwork being finished from a to c. Sketch constantly, what you can draw will expand. Not only practice drawing from still life and reference photos. Allow yourself to doodle. This will bring forth your inner self. When you doodle, do it in a calm and quiet space. No interruptions. See what comes out, you will surprise yourself.

3. Shade Your Art

Going from pencil to colour artworks can be a difficult transition. One thing that helps immensely is learning to shade in pencil or ink paint. Don’t only draw your scene, but shade it in. That way you can focus on getting the colours right. One person to watch is Jeremy Fenske’s Youtube videos, who was the concept artist for Elder Scrolls Online. He often shades his scenes before painting over them in colour, as he paints digitally and rarely photobashes. The lighting and perspective is already worked out before he puts colour to paint. You are practising fundamental art skills and in turn finishing your art more quickly.