How do I become an artist: in? Tips from successful autodidacts and professional creative

The cliché of the "presenting artist" is too often tried. But there are more and more artists who have built up a successful and flowering career in the art world - also as autodid acts, completely without academic career and conventional artist career.

Today there are numerous established autodidics in the art scene . The fact that they are autodidacts is no longer a problem, since their art, their knowledge, their understanding and their contribution to art are much more important than a piece of paper from an art university or the name of an art teacher.

Let's assume that is our goal. But how do you get there? Above all, strong motivation, discipline, endurance and dedication are required. The path may be rocky, but with passion and tireless striving to be able to live from your passion, it is possible to successfully become a self -taught in the art world.

Do not let any doubts and believe in yourself - with somewhat given talent you have the potential to achieve great. Success is also 1% inspiration in the world of art and 99% transpiration.

How do I become an artist: in? Learn with us from seasoned artists and successful autodid acts!

This article shows you in just a few steps how you improve your chances of success as self -learning: r artist: in . We discuss how you learn the content of an art university independently, where you should start, how you develop your artistic practice, how you act as a self -taught and how you can be successful in the art world. We consult the experiences, insights and tips from successful artists.

"elite art world" there is often a certain stigma to be autodidactic artists, which leads to various challenges for those who do not have the opportunity to attend an art school.

Depending on the socio -economic situation or the country of education in the country, art education However, they don't despair.

Nowadays, important information for autodidacts is more easily accessible than ever - provided you know where to search. It is not easy to become a professional artist, let alone a professional self -taught. Despite all the obstacles and challenges on the way to the artist, a self -taught should not be prevented from gaining a foothold in the art world.

What are the basic requirements for becoming an artist?

Do you have a natural creativity that gives you new ideas every day? Painting, drawing and designing do you like to have a feel for colors, shapes and aesthetics as well as a lively emotional life? Some claim that they are something idiosyncratic?

If you also have little need for stability and predictability, artist life could be just the right thing for you. As an artist, you can paint, tinker, build, grind, photograph and film and film and create your works of art according to your own ideas.

If your works like others because of their meaningfulness, emotionality or aesthetics or sophistication, you can exhibit them in galleries or sell them privately.

Incredible variety of activities

In the artistic area there is a sheer variety and abundance and activity fields and characteristics, which makes such a career particularly attractive for creative people.

First you can think of the visual arts such as painting, sculpture, drawing and illustration. Or the performing arts with theater, opera, music and acting. In addition to these classic areas, however, an incredible abundance of possibilities has developed. Whether tattoo artist, street performer, game designer, comedian, circus artist, art therapist, clown, magician, burlesque dancer, martial artist, entertainer, YouTuber, makeup artist or restorative, who make opportunities as creative, money are almost endless.

also Watchado great insights into 34 of these artistic activities in the form of video ore .

Also outside the art scene and away from work as a freelance artist, many companies and institutions make you a job as a creative person. Creatives are sought and set in the following areas:

• Educational institutions (schools, universities , further training institutes)
• Healthcare (clinics, therapy centers, etc.)
• Social institutions (youth/funding centers, etc.)
• Stand builder and event companies
• Architecture office
• Media and advertising companies
• Opera houses, theater, galleries and other cultural institutions
• Communication and marketing departments of companies
• Game developer
• Publishers and editors
• Web and graphic design
• Artificial intelligence, virtual worlds, big data, digital art

The activity profile of artists

Australian job exchange Seek provides an interesting infographic on the activity profile and the role of an artist . Using 10 metrics, the requirements and advantages of an activity as a creative are vividly presented. The evaluations are based on the average of 30 artists surveyed.

Since the area of ​​activity as an artist here in Germany is not to differ significantly from that in Australia, these results can probably be largely transferred to our country. The areas of "job satisfaction" with 4.2 stars and "variety" with 4.3 stars perform particularly well. At the bottom there are "job security", "earning opportunities" and "career opportunities".

Important skills as an artist: in

As an artist, her most important ability is of course initially creativity . You have to create works that no one has thought or implemented yet, and you can get people excited about their work.

Of course, you also have to understand and master your craft - regardless of whether it is painting, photography, sculpture or visual game design. You don't necessarily have to be a seller, but it is definitely helpful if you market yourself and your work .

A basic understanding of marketing and also a little knowledge of social media are advantageous in today's world to bring your work closer to an audience and potential buyers. It will also help you if you are not too shy: contacts can go very far in the art world. Ideally, don't be afraid to build a network .

Foreign language skills are also very useful in their profession, especially English, since they can communicate with the international artist community and can take it easier to participate in exhibitions and other options abroad.

Last but not least, as an artist, you need a good dose of courage and willingness to take risks . The prospects of live from their art are initially low and stability will be in vain in the first few years (but there are always positive surprises). If you cannot accept this, you should rethink your career choice again.

Training at an art academy vs. autodidactic artist

At the art academy, the focus is mainly on your personal artistic development - be it learning a specific ability or promoting your own style. However, it was found that most training centers do not adequately prepare their students for a career in the art world.

So before we start with the first step, we have to find out what makes a successful artist. ""

Success as an artist can mean something different for everyone. The highest goal is likely: to become a recognized artist in the high-end art scene. However, some just want to make a living as an artist. We know from experience that artistic success often leads to commercial success.

When it comes to artistic recognition , there are no limits. It is possible to be represented by leading galleries, to sell works for high amounts or even be present as a renowned artist in museums and publications.

Depending on how much time you invest, how you benefit from a natural talent and the influence by external factors such as happiness and chance, it can take different lengths for you to start as a self -taught. A realistic assessment of the CAI (Contemporary Art Issue) - a hybrid artist platform and gallery for contemporary art in Belgium - can be the first success as a autodidactic artist after two years .

This is less time than most art school programs need. However, do not expect to be established immediately, but it is possible to be seriously recognized as an artist within two years and to have a promising future.

With this article we would like to give you a first point of contact and rudimentary guidelines, which discloses elementary things that you need to know but do not be told to you; And show them where you can find the necessary information that helps you to success. Ultimately, success lies in your own hands.

If you are 110%, remain patient and passionate, believe in yourself! Then bring the best conditions.

Valuable tips from successful creative - step by step to success as an artist

Up to this point, they were able to get a comprehensive picture of what their everyday work could look like as an artist and that they should bring for a success in this area.

Now let's turn the way to the successful artist step by step! What does it take to establish itself in the world of art? Where are the pitfalls and which levers provide the greatest success effect? What do you need to consider? And which tips are most valuable?

We will now answer these questions together with artists who have made it and are happy to pass on their success formulas.

Twist: Three artists and one artist tell how they did it

To work as an artist appears to many as a dream job. But is it all necessary to need talent or skill in self -marketing?

In the culture program “Twist” in Arte, we are confronted with various personalities that bring more clarity into this question. First we meet the aspiring star at the gallery sky, Leon Löwentraut . Despite the lack of a studies, he is internationally successful as a painter. Although the feuilleton ignores him and some even comment on him, he can win many fans with spectacular appearances and strong social media presence. His paintings now achieve high prices.

So is it possible to start at any time and everywhere as an artist thanks to social media? The French sculptor Latifa Echakhch , who received the Marcel Duchamp Prize and designed the Swiss Pavilion in Venice, shows us a different approach to art as an opportunity to understand the world.

The American painter professor Rajkamal Kahlon deals with serious topics such as colonialism and racism in her works by reinterpreting representations of indigenous peoples from the 19th century and thus giving them back their dignity.

Annika Le Large from Leipzig, in turn, lives from illustrations for children's books and proves that you can be successful as an artist even without a degree at an art college.

These different stories clearly show that the path to success as an artist can be very individual and success has many facets.

01 Motivation and passion: The beginning as an artist: in

Every picture that creates an artist carries a spark of your own soul. It is a connection between the artist and the canvas, which is brought to life through seriousness and dedication. Artists like Gerhard Richter or Vincent van Gogh have moved and inspired the world with their works.

David Hockney and Marc Chagall also left traces with their unique Canvas art n As an artist, it is important to always explore new topics and develop creatively.

The processing of images should never stagnate, but always be new and innovative. Paul Klee and Karl Ernst Osthaus were pioneers in their areas and showed that their passion for art knows no limits.

The best prerequisite as an artist is this passion and insatiable curiosity, which ensures motivation and inspiration like a never -tired driving force.

02 Discover, experiment and experience

Before we can profile ourselves as an artist, we have to clearly define what we want, recommend Julien Delagrange - art historian, contemporary artist and director of CAI and CAI Gallery . Previously, Delagrange worked for the Center for Fine Arts (Bozar) in Brussels, the Jan-Cerruysse Foundation and the Gent University Library. His artistic practice and his written art criticism are closely intertwined and examine contemporary art in search of new perspectives in the art world.

So we ask ourselves the following questions at the beginning of our career:

• What kind of artist do you want to be?
• Which discipline gives you the most joy?
• Which style or technology is particularly important to you?

Before we commit ourselves to a certain medium, a style, technology or vision, we need freedom and opportunity to explore, experiment and experience art. to research , experiment and experience in the course of our life and our artistic career find inspiration

This can be done most radical and intensely in the initial phases as artists. Later in professional life, it becomes more difficult to bring about radical changes. Nevertheless, our work has to change and develop continuously in order to remain interesting and relevant. Because as in life also applies in art: the only constant is the change.

Later we can introduce a new discipline or change our style optically, but in this step we have complete freedom without having to think about possible consequences. We can try everything we enjoy: experiment, explore and experience.

Delagrange particularly emphasizes the third "E": Experience .

Art must be experienced, both as a viewer and as an artist. ”

These experiences will inspire us, and what inspires us will inspire us to experiment and take various influences, which ultimately create a new synthesis of our artistic identity.

These experiments will present autodidactic artists with technical challenges. It is time to think about supporting Skillshare Thanks to the World Wide Web, skills can be conveniently learned online from home. YouTube is probably the best place to find suitable tutorials.

Delagrange therefore recommends that you carry out thorough research and select a channel that is guided by an artist you like, then start to look at your videos and learn and experiment on the side.

Today there are countless tutorials for painting and drawing online. For less common art forms such as sculptures or installations, it is worth looking for specific courses, such as on platforms such as skill share .

There are no longer any defined rules about the artistic creative process, which enables autodidactic artists to develop their own style. It is important to experiment and try new techniques in order to ultimately realize a personal vision and identity in the works of art.

03 continue in art (history)

This step is also of great importance for their development as an artist and their credibility as a self -learner . A frequently asked question of autodid acts is whether they have sufficient knowledge of art and art history. Nevertheless, there is no reason why they cannot become art experts, even if they do not have a master's degree in art or art history.

It is crucial to know art history It would be naive to believe that you can be successful in the art world without having knowledge of art. Your knowledge and intelligence are put to the test when you try to gain a foothold in the art scene.

So how and where can we deepen our education? Delagrange initially recommends familiarizing yourself with art history and reading scientific textbooks on how to use them at universities. This step can be seen as a kind of formal training that is advisable to make notes.

Not for exams, but to create a personal summary of art history and make useful notes for your own artistic practice.

Let's start with a comprehensive introduction to art history and consider the following books that could be ideal for their further training:

"The History of Art" by Eh Gombrich

Ernst H. Gombrich's “History of Art” has been an unsurpassed masterpiece and one of the best known and most popular books about art for 50 years. The author impresses with his ability to clearly and captivating cultural -historical relationships and artistic problems.

Thanks to his feeling for the psychology of the visual arts, he succeeds in presenting the history of art as a constant change of artistic intentions. Each work of art is considered in a historical context, regardless of whether it stands out from the previous one or imitates it.

Gombrich shows that art is still connected to past epochs today. In a new form, this masterpiece will continue to introduce young generations into the world of art and inspire those interested in art.

"Art: The Visual History" by Andrew Graham-Dixon

This visual reference work presents the 2,500 most important works of art from 30,000 years of art history in all cultures. With over 3,000 brilliant illustrations, 700 artist profiles and information on epochs and currents, it is an impressive work on the understanding of art and understanding.

In addition to a detailed representation of key works, the book includes topics such as love, landscape, portrait and act. From cave painting to modern media art, all eras and cultural circles are illuminated. This high -quality illustrated book offers insights into the development of the art from the early days to the present day as well as an overview of important currents and artists.

It is a recommended reference work for all art -related ones that convinced and informed.

"Modern art. From Impressionism to the present" by Hans Werner Holzwarth

Modern in art began about 150 years ago in Paris with the impressionists who turned away from the classic academy art and revolutionized art. They chose everyday topics and organized their own exhibitions to challenge art -establishment.

This led to a variety of modernist styles such as symbolism, expressionism, futurism, dada, surrealism and more. The band follows the development of modern art based on groundbreaking works, which broke existing conventions and showed new ways.

Introductory essays explain the most important currents of modernity and illuminate important artists and their works.

"Image surveys. 100 masterpieces in detail" by Rainer & Rose-Marie Hagen

This book by Rose-Marie and Rainer Hagen also gives us an illuminating look into the world of art history. It reveals the hidden stories behind some of the most famous paintings by focusing on subtle details that reveal a lot about past times. The authors draw our attention to apparently insignificant aspects and thus even make the best known pictures appear in a new light.

We dive into different epochs and cultures during reading, encounter Greek heroes and German poets, explore cathedrals and cabarets, travel from antiquity to modern Europe. We analyze every picture like a puzzle, put it together again and reveal secrets about people, politics, fashion and opinions of past times.

The book provides fascinating insights into the world of works of art and helps us to understand them better.

These great overview works present the canon of art history. ”

Take a look at the comments for every art direction or chapter to discover further special literature on a certain era or a specific artist. However, the works mentioned are already very extensive and initially offer sufficient information.

Afterwards we want to concentrate on contemporary art , from modern art to the present day. The recommended reference works are "Art Since 1900" (English edition), the above "Modern Art - from Impressionism to the Present" and "A History of Modern Art" by HH Arnason and Elizabeth C. Mansfield (only in English).

These three books are undoubtedly the most important reference works on recent art history, and it is even recommended to read all three if possible. While a work could be sufficient for art history, the more, the more, the better.

Acquire specific art knowledge

Now that we have established a solid frame for the art canon, it is time to go deeper and to concentrate on specific artifications, artists and disciplines .

The selection of the publications should depend on your interests and practice, but there are some important points that I would like to inform about. Be careful in faulty information in self -published books. Everyone can write and publish a book today. Even with small publishers, questionable art books are often produced.

Therefore, I recommend that you books from renowned art book publishers such as bags , Phaidon , Thames & Hudson , Skira , Prestel Publishing , Tate Publishing , Lund Humphries or other respected art institutions that act as editors - think of museums or universities.

This publishers stand for high -quality art cups, reliable information as well as well -known authors and editors. For example, Phaidon offers outstanding publications for almost every medium; Be it painting or sculpture of the present. The basic artificial scale of bags is another excellent collection of books on specific art movements and artists.

Monographic publications of museums as part of retrospectives are always a first -class source of information. These examples stand for thorough research and self -education in the field of established art, but what about less established art?

Some publishers today offer great publications on this topic. Think of Phaidon's series about new perspectives in art with vitamin P (painting), vitamin D (raw art) or vitamin photography. The publications of galleries about the artists who represent them and with whom they can identify are also worth mentioning.

This leads us to other sources in order to dive deeper and stay up to date with contemporary art - think of prestigious art platforms, artificial writings, curatorial institutions and museums for contemporary art. Even more specialized information can be found in scientific literature on contemporary art.

The series "Documents on Contemporary Art" by Whitechapel is an excellent example of a publisher that compiled the most critical scientific writings on a specific topic of contemporary art. There are also academic writings with indirect reference to art such as Foucault and Lacan.

Do not be intimidated by the abundance of worldwide knowledge and information about art. You don't have to be an expert or scholar to be successful. There are different knowledge levels, with general art history and recent art history serve as the basis.

After that, depending on your interest, you can delve into more specific literature. There are many ways to find out about contemporary art, for example through informative YouTube channels . However, it is important to note that not all information is equivalent.

Some channels such as Art Assignment and Great Art Explained offer sound and factual content, while others are less trustworthy. You can also follow renowned institutions, galleries and platforms on social media or subscribe to your newsletter to stay up to date.

Companies such as Artforum , Cura. , The Museum of Modern Art and Art like Mary Lynn Buchanan are good points of contact. It is important to stay curious, to follow your own interests and to continuously deal with art and art history.

04 Get to know the art world and your unwritten rules first hand

At first glance, this step may seem less important than the previous steps. However, this is not the case. The third "E", which we emphasized in the previous chapter - experience - is the focus here.

Because you get to know the art world best by experiencing it yourself. "

You could think that you are already familiar with the art world. Maybe you have visited some museums and follow some galleries and artists on social media platforms. But that's not comprehensive enough. The art and art world are full of subtle details that ultimately make up the difference.

Whether it is a matter of creating a work of art, completing it and presenting it in a gallery, or to interact with everything in connection with art exhibitions - how to interact with one another in an exhibition, the exhibition title, the description of the works and its metadata, the type of conversation about you, the installation, inspiration for design and presentation, etc. - you have to be at the pulse of the art world.

• What is the order of the day in galleries today?
• How do the works see and feel?

In order to get to know the subtleties of art that make up the decisive difference, it is not only recommended to visit museums, but also art galleries. While museums primarily present established art, galleries show works of up -and -coming artists and new works by established artists.

Art galleries are also of crucial importance for a career in the art world . It is therefore important to be critical of the selection of galleries and to find out about them beforehand to ensure that you end up in a highly respected gallery.

Quality features of first-class galleries are a carefully curated exhibition series, a professional and stylish presentation, a press release for every exhibition, many years of experience in gallery operations, participation in art fairs and the presence on renowned platforms such as Artsy or a professional gallery website.

Some of the most respected galleries worldwide that manage to implement this into perfection belong to the category of Mega Galleries. They provide a unique insight into the unspoken rules and customs of high-end art and art galleries.

Prominent examples of mega galleries include:

• Gagosian
• Hauser & Wirth
• Pace gallery
• David Zwirner
• White Cube
• Lisson Gallery
• Thaddaeus Ropac
• Perrotine
• Lehman Maupin
• Victoria Miro
• Marian Goodman
• And many more ...

A good strategy is to concentrate on aspiring galleries instead of turning to renowned galleries immediately. The Artforum Art Guide can be a helpful source. Choose an art city near you, explore it and start with the gallery shopping.

This will inspire you to discover works by aspiring artists who are on the way to make a name. Watch exactly how these artists stand out from others and how to present their works within an exhibition or even over different exhibitions. This can help you find new inspiration and to further develop your own creative work.

It is possible to get in touch with the gallery directors, but I advise against it - at least for the time being, not to reveal that you are an artist yourself. You and your work are probably not yet ready for the critical eye of a gallery director, even if you may believe it - and these opportunities rarely come.

It is advisable to first express his interest in the gallery. There may be the possibility if the head of the gallery begins to talk about his artistic activities. Art exhibitions, lectures, art festivals and events such as the Biennale of Venice or Art Basel offer first -class opportunities to gain insights into the art scene and contemporary artists.

Even if the visit of such events is associated with travel effort and time investment, this can have a significant impact on your personal development, your understanding and future career opportunities and should therefore not be underestimated.

05 Find creative inspiration: tips and tricks for the artistic process

When the creative fire burns and the canvas lies in front of them, the longing for inspiration . How can you bring your ideas to life and make your art shine? Artists such as Gerhard Richter or Vincent van Gogh found their unique voice in dealing with various topics and styles.

You bravely experiment with new techniques and materials to expand your artistic vision. Use the variety of art world to be inspired by other artists. Whether abstract works or realistic portraits, they are stimulated by different styles to find their own expression.

By editing images in your very personal way, you can discover new ways and develop your creativity.

Do you know this situation?

They finally find time to go to their workplace, and then they get this terrible feeling: surrounded by a variety of materials they do not feel motivated to create something. Finding inspiration seems to be more difficult than crossing the Atlantic with a rowboat.

They may feel completely alone, but each of us has already had this experience - once, several times.

There is no creative person who can work without inspiration. For some it is easy and natural to find inspiration while it can be a challenge for others.

No creative is immune to creative blockages; They constantly appear in every creative practice. "

It is important to be able to motivate yourself and sometimes you just need a few ideas and suggestions to go back in the right direction.

The following small book list provides helpful approach if the muse is again waiting for it:

Book tips for the creative flow

"Creative. To be the art" by Rick Rubin

In the bestseller “creative. To be art”, the secret of the successful music producer behind sizes such as Johnny Cash, Adele, Run-DMC, Jay-Z and U2 is unveiled. The book illuminates its life's work in a clear and inspiring way and shows the path of the artist, to whom we can all follow.

Over the years, Rubin has recognized that artists are not only concerned with their performance, but rather about their relationship with the world. Creativity is important for everyone and can be expanded by everyone. Everyone naturally carries creative forces - it is up to us to unleash them. “Creative. To be art” (2023) is a passionate message for the joy of artistic work and playful experimentation. It encouraged to try it out, make mistakes and new starts - just to be creative.

This book is aimed at music lovers and musicians looking for inspiration, creative with writing blocks who want to overcome their fears, as well as those seeking meaning who want to consciously perceive the miracles of the world.

"Flow and Creativity" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

In his work “Flow and Creativity”, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is devoted to the process, which leads us to new ideas and groundbreaking ideas and unleashed our entire artistic potential. In this book, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi answers the questions where and how creativity arises and how everyone can succeed in discovering and promoting their very personal source of inspiration.

Based on extensive interviews with renowned creative personalities, he shows how we can specifically promote our own creativity in order not only to improve our artistic work, but also enrich our entire life.

This book is aimed at artists and all creative minds looking for inspiration. With sound knowledge and practical tips, “creativity” thus offers valuable guidance for anyone who wants to develop and develop its creative strength.

"The way of the artist" by Julia Cameron

This rather spiritual book inspires to discover the hidden potential for artist in each of us. It shows how we can arouse the creative side in us to create great things. We often keep doubts, negative experiences or the opinion of others from developing our creative energy.

This book offers instructions to come back into contact with our inner artist and to arouse our creative skills. With valuable exercises and tips, we can strengthen our artistic presence and embark on a fulfilling artistic life.

The book is particularly suitable for everyone who doubts their own creative skills and are looking for inspiration to exploit their full potential.

Don't give up!: 10 ways for more creativity on good and bad days ”by Austin Kleon

“Don't give up” is an inspiring book for creative people who regularly pursue their creativity. It offers numerous helpful tips and methods to remain motivated even in phases of missing inspiration. New York-Times bestselling author Austin Kleon shows us ten strategies in order not only to remain loyal to the matter, but also.

The suggestions are mainly aimed at professional creative and hobby artists, but can also help everyone who wants to live out their creative side every now and then.

06 Develop your entire work - create a coherent oeuvre

Now we are reaching the sixth step; We stand at a decisive turning point in the artist's career, where the work matures and a total work of art arises - a unity characterized by a clear vision, visual recognition and a continuous fascinating development.

After a phase of experimentation, the establishment of a solid basic scale as the basis for the development of your own artistic vision and identity as well as the inspiration through contemporary art, we gradually get to the point where everything comes together.

You have found a medium with which you feel comfortable, clear goals and a vision that you want to achieve with your work.

Now it is time to refine their artistic production, professionalize and create works that they will see forever as part of their oeuvres. Consistency is the key in art. A crucial exercise to achieve a coherent overall work and a constant, meaningful development is to write an artist declaration .

In this you shed light on your vision, goals, philosophy, methodology and technology. All elements from the previous steps result in an extremely personal synthesis of who they are as an artist, what constitutes their art and what it is about. This statement or vision of the artist will be your guide for your development and ensure continuity, even if you continue to experiment, develop and improve.

The declaration of artists not only serves to exhibit their works in galleries or to publish them on their website. Rather, it is a personal instrument and guide for continuous and coherent self -development . Now that they have clearly defined their artistic characteristics, it is time to act.

Explore how you can further drive your vision in your artistic practice in order to stand out and increase your recognition value. The artist life is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating professions. The art world is over -saturated by thousands of artists - more than galleries, collectors and curators.

It is therefore crucial to stand out from the crowd, regardless of whether they are autodidact or have a doctorate in the arts. Be consistent, personal and recognizable again. Lift yourself out and remain loyal to your vision. The importance of this coherence can sometimes cause problems.

Galleries and collectors do not appreciate any radical changes in the creative process of an artist, as it could give the appearance that the artist suddenly makes something completely new after investing time or money. However, this does not mean that you have to repeat yourself constantly.

On the contrary, if they do not develop further, their work will stagnate and become boring, and they risk being stamped as limited art. Here we encounter one of the subtleties in the art world that was already discussed in our previous step: the game of balance between resistance and change - or rather, the development.

The thing is: as long as you remain loyal to your original vision - or follow constantly changing visions and focus - variety is always an advantage.

Delagrange illustrates this using the following examples:

Cohernance using the example of Luc Tuymans

Luc Tuymans is one of the most important and constant painters in his generation. He changes between paintings with Holocaust scenes, a migration picture of Micky Mouse, still lifes and the representation of numbers. However, his vision always remains coherent in all of his works.

He explores the image theory in the context of painting and deals with topics such as simulakras, overstimulation, history and moral complexities. What combines these diverse topics visually are its characteristic trembling brush strokes and its subtle color palette. These elements ensure coherence and recognizability and enable the Belgian artist to devote themselves to every topic or motif.

Tracey Emin - autobiography and controversy as a thread

Many artists show impressive versatility and still remain consistent in their work. An outstanding example is Tracey Emin , which changes effortlessly between installations, sculptures and figurative painting. She uses autobiographical elements and controversy as the basis for her artistic vision.

In the following interview, she shares 6 important lessons with us that must be mastered on the way to success as an artist:

Even more examples ...

Artists who follow certain motifs in their lives and make them their trademark are equally impressive, such as the dots and pumpkins of Yayoi Kusama or the cages, spiders and spirals of Louise Bourgeois . It is important to note that these motifs are deliberately chosen and direct results of their individual vision and history.

Some artists dedicate a single thing all their lives to perfect an idea or technology - think of Mark Rothko or Carmen Herrera . Others have a vision that contains radical changes as an integral part - without them there is no consistency.

Think of the deliberately no-style style of Maurizio Cattelan and Ryan Gander . Or look at Gerhard Richter, whose picturesque work is characterized by an endless search for the possibilities of painting, from photo-realism to pure abstraction to minimal conceptual figuration and hard edge paintings.

The nuances of these visions and the play of the balance between durability and development again emphasize the importance of our previous steps. It is therefore advisable to study the work of other artists to understand how to create your own art. Good starting points are a clear vision, philosophy, technology or a selection of motifs.

So record your own vision in writing and consistently follow it in the studio. Start with the professionalization of your artistic practice by using high -quality materials and carefully designing every work of art. Each work should be of constant quality, from experiments to completed works that are ready to be presented to the world.

It is time to become part of the art world yourself!

07 Create a professional artist profile

In order to be successful in the art world, it is crucial to ensure that everything is accurate and professional and that the demands of a serious artist are sufficient, especially for car didacts. In this step, all relevant details are taken into account to ensure that your artist profile has an appealing and professional effect.

This recognizes a potential collector or gallery owner who is interested in your work that everything is carried out carefully. This not only increases their credibility as a serious artist, but also increases their chances of success in the art world.

In the opinion of Delagrange's opinion, many artists - whether autodidacts or trained artists - fail at this point and lose the common thread, even if they have great talent and potential.

Now give us an overview of what you should pay attention to. It is important to stick strictly at the points mentioned here. The way they present themselves as an artist online and in the real world should be clear, formal, professional and even a little mysterious.

Everything else you could do and is not on this list could affect your credibility as an artist. So how do we prepare our overall profile as an artist?

7.1. Document your art

It is of great importance that professional photographs of your works of art are present. Please make high -quality pictures of your pictures and make sure that you have high -resolution files of your works. It may also make sense to create a few installation or studio views of your works of art in a suitable room.

Avoid simulating your works with apps in galleries or rooms (so -called mockups). Prepare your living room or studio accordingly, rent a room or take the opportunity to take high quality photos during an exhibition. This will undoubtedly increase your credibility.

Document your artwork thoroughly and make records about all important information - meaning, title, year, medium and dimensions.

Create a comprehensive catalog with all the relevant data that you can present potential customers and galleries.

7.2. Artist CV - the CV - Artist Resume

Next up is the creation of an artist resume . This contains all relevant information and serves as a guide for galleries, collectors and curators to find out where they are currently in their career.

The curriculum vitae should contain information on your year of birth and country, your current place of residence, your training and qualification, your professional experience, your exhibition history, selected publications, press reports, awards, collections and residences. As a self -study, I advise against adding autodid acts to the résumé.

Only perform educational and further training measures if they are relevant; Otherwise leave this field empty. Use this structure and analyze artists' circles of established artists or gallery websites. Follow the same structure, the same structure and the same professional approach.

Do not worry if your artist resume has so far only contains little information. Our next step will be to improve and expand the CV year after year. It is completely normal if you have had only a few or no exhibitions at all; Everyone starts small.

In fact, the CAI team wrote a detailed article about how to create a curriculum vitae as an artist with little or no experience. complete instructions here , including examples and a template for creating the CV as an artist.

7.3. The artist website / online portfolio

The artist website acts as a digital business card and as a portfolio , which should be the artist's professionalism against mirrors n.

A high -quality design in the minimalist style is essential in order to be perceived appropriately in the art world. Inspire yourself from renowned artist websites and present a clear homepage, a selection of your best works (portfolio), your CV and possibly also a biographical text in the third person.

A crucial step on the way to the successful artist is the skilful presentation of her works. A well thought -out portfolio, be it digital or in paper form, offers potential customers and galleries a comprehensive insight into their artistic vision and diversity.

A contact page rounds off the offer. However, elements such as a blog, a web shop or merchandise are superfluous as a professional artist. In the artificial industry, it is common for potential buyers to ask for prices and availability directly by email. Therefore, it is not necessary to publish prices online or to set up a web shop.

7.4. Self -marketing as an artist: In: How do I find my target group?

The search for your target group can be an exciting journey that will raise your artistic career to a new level. Seriously and focused, it is important to understand the needs and interests of your audience. By actively responding to feedback and presenting your works in a targeted manner, you can establish an authentic connection to your potential supporters.

Use the variety of digital platforms and social media channels to make your art accessible to a wider audience. Damien Hirst , Takashi Murakami , Wolfang Tillmans, Nan Goldin or Cindy Sherman - they all found their target groups and successfully bound to themselves.

Be brave, experiment with various marketing strategies to discover your own way. Their art deserves to be appreciated and promoted by the right people. Find your niche and radiate self -confidence - your target group is already waiting to be discovered by you.

However, it is also important in the area of ​​social media to find the right measure. A general rule says that we should concentrate on the most powerful social media platform for artists- Instagram . It is impressive how many gallery owners and collectors will discover and contact new artists through Instagram.

With an online presence you can build a fan base and thereby increase your credibility. YouTube is also a strong platform, but in the traditional art scene it is not yet welcome to "vloggen" , although all important art organizations are represented on YouTube. Nevertheless, CAI gallery director Julien Delagrange advises you to fully concentrate on Instagram for the time being and to stay professionally in your contributions.

08 Develop your career organically and think in the long term

Instagram has already been mentioned as an excellent platform for the discovery of artists. However, in order to be really successful, artists should take a few more steps. Before we expect specific measures that you can take, we talk about things that should be avoided .

Aggressive self -promotion is not welcome in the art world. "

Success cannot be forced. Therefore, it is advisable not to apply excessively yourself - avoid calling galleries, magazines, collectors and institutions cold. Do not think of your art as a purely commercial product that should be sold by advertising, flyers or discounts. Stay professionally and do not push yourself up.

Rather, the aim is to strive for an organic career and to think in the long term by leaving traces in the art world that ultimately lead to the galleries, collectors and magazines report to you.

Dive actively into the art scene by visiting exhibitions and galleries, as was recommended in the previous step. Make authentic relationships by discussing art out of real interest and not in self -interest. Network with like -minded people and get involved in the art scene to promote your success.

Even as an introverted person who does not see himself as a networking expert, you can actively improve your chances of a career in the art world by looking for opportunities in this area. Think of open tenders for exhibitions, art residences , art competitions , scholarships , project -based open tenders for art in public space and the like.

An excellent opportunity to discover these opportunities is the Artenda.net , which you can keep up to date with the most exciting artificial opportunities. It is important to be present and prepare yourself well as an artist. Trust the process.

If your art is of high quality and your entire artist profile is professionally designed without being intrusive, but is natural and organic, people will become aware of their work. And if you feel your artist profile as appealing and professional, you will get in touch with you - regardless of whether you are autodidactic or not.

At this point the ball starts to move. As soon as you take part in an exhibition - be it through an open tender, an invitation of a gallery or through cooperation with other artists - new doors open.