the 8 most important things i never learned in art class
so i was randomly thinking about all the stuff i’ve learned about drawing since i decided two christmases ago that i wanted to be a better artist. and i realized that funnily enough, the most useful things i’ve learned have nothing to do with how to draw lines or choose colors - but more have to do with how to motivate myself and how to not get discouraged. stuff i wish teachers taught more often.
i’m not saying these are the “right” things to do and i certainly don’t want to tell you how to go about your life, but they’re just ideas that have helped me a ton. i hope they’ll help you too. :)
so, the eight most important things i never learned in art class:
- the “want” is the most important. meaning, if you don’t want to be good and aren’t willing to make it happen, chances are, you won’t. and then there’s really nothing to be upset about, right?
- don’t be afraid of going slowly - only be afraid of stopping. everyone goes at their own pace, so pay no attention to the ten-year-old prodigy that’s making you and everyone around crazy depressed. it doesn’t matter how old you are when you start drawing, how much talent you do/don’t have, how quickly/slowly you pick things up - all that matters is that you keep working at it - because if you do, you’ll be better than you were yesterday. that’s really something to be proud of. and in time, it’ll pay off.
- respect yourself - you’re not that bad. i used to hate my work so much that i couldn’t use sketchbooks for fear of “ruining” pages. so i never drew, thinking that if i never tried, then i could never fail. but here’s what i learned: just because you make crappy drawings, doesn’t mean you’re a crappy artist. in fact, the best artists make them the most — because the more crappy drawings you make, the less crappy they will be.
- …but you can always do better. when you’ve made something you love, give yourself a pat on the back! but then, also try to see what you’ve done wrong. nobody’s art is perfect :P i’m pretty sure “perfection” doesn’t exist. so try to find your flaws, and make sure to fix them the next time. if you can’t find them, keep looking.
- you can teach yourself. even if there aren’t classes around, even if your parents are totally against you pursuing this stuff, you still have TONS of resources in your hands. your library/bookstore might have instructional art books, and if they don’t, you always have the internet! it’s like an infinite book! and it’s got teaching blogs, figure drawing, textbooks, etc. etc. and if you don’t have internet access, i have no clue how you’re reading this, but do this: look at a something, then draw it again and again until it looks right.
- get out of your comfort zone. it’s easy to stick with what you’re good at or to draw exclusively in your style, but if you do so you’re going to limit yourself a lot. if you’re into digital art, try studying traditional art. if you’re into cartooning, take some graphic design classes. draw people of all ages, races, and body types. it’s like that idea of pro football players doing pilates - it’s weird and unconventional, but it targets their flexibility in ways normal exercises don’t.
- get inspired. surround yourself with styles you admire and pieces that move you. print out pictures to tape all over your wall. flood your tumblr / google reader feed with your favorite artblogs. basically, do whatever you can to keep your goals and inspirations at the front of your mind.
- draw all the time! i know a lot of people say this, but seriously - give your sketchbook a permanent home in your purse/pocket and pull it out whenever you can. doodle when you’re waiting for the bus, when you’re on the bus, when you’re eating lunch… and if you can’t, look at people/things and think about how you’d sketch them.
good luck!
