There are these days: you feel uninspired, every brush stroke seems difficult and the white sheet stares at you contemptuously. Don't worry, even the best artists have such phases. But the secret is to stay creative and continuously improve your skills.
In theLearn to Paint Podcastby the artistKelly Anne Powers,Mark Eanes a guest in Episode #1111 effective exercises that help you to sharpen your art skills - even on apparently lost days.
Most of these exercises were independent projects that could be combined with music, an audio book or a podcast episode. His suggestions could not be more suitable. If painting is currently overwhelming, that's perfectly fine.
Treat yourself to a break. Perhaps now is the ideal time to try something smaller and more specific. With the listed exercises, you can quickly develop your skills in a relaxed way.
Take five to ten minutes to draw without drawing. This exercise not only helps to improve your hand-eye coordination, but also activate other brain areas that are normally not so stressed when drawing. This is how you promote your intuition and memory.
02 Master the basics
If you want to draw or paint precisely, it is essential to understand the six above -mentioned basics of art. This includescomposition , color theory , light, shadow, perspective, anatomy and shape . These elements form the foundation of art and support you in presenting reality and gaining the necessary knowledge.
16 creative exercises to improve your art skills Image source: FreePik
If you acquire these basics, you will notice a significant improvement in your work. It is not surprising that this can be time -consuming, but it will benefit your skills the most.
03 time -controlled painting
A method that Jane Davies (episode 3) uses when painting is to face challenges such as the time -limited painting. Set the goal of pulling strokes and applying color within a defined time frame of about 30 minutes. It's not about creating a perfect work of art that you like.
Rather, the goal is to simply continue working. Just overcome the resistance and paint. Why this is fantastic: often we put a strong focus on the final picture. Do we like it? Will it be committed to others? This exercise helps us to look at the process itself. How do you react to what you create? Where will that lead you next?
Work with a limited color palette, for example only three primary colors and white. This forces you to think intensively about color mixtures and you learn to better understand the complex relationships between the colors.
The challenge here is to create harmony and at the same time preserve diversity.
05 Sketch fast: Speed Drawing
Set a time limit for your sketches - about one to five minutes per motif. This technology helps you to capture the essential forms and proportions in a short time and improve your ability to concentrate on the essentials.
It also trains your speed and willingness to make decisions.
06 reverse drawing: a journey through time
Another interesting exercise is reversing. Start your motif from the details to the basic forms and then to draw vice versa.
This is how you strengthen your understanding of the structure and layers of an image, which is essential for more complex work.
07 Studied the master
Another effective way to promote your artistic talent is to learn from the work of other artists. For this purpose, you can explore art events such as Art Basel or Art Cologne and take part in various exhibitions. There you have the opportunity to analyze new approaches and styles to find inspiration for your own works of art.
It is therefore advisable to take a closer look at your own work, because this will help you to better understand the creative process. In this way you will be familiarized with new techniques and ideas that can bring your skills and works of art to a higher level.
Studying works by well -known artists can also be very instructive. Copy an old or modern master. Through this argument you can see how they have used composition, light and shadow, color and brush strokes. This offers you fresh perspectives and brilliant techniques for your own works.
08 photo studies
Photographs interesting scenes or objects and use these photos as a reference to draw or paint them.
This practice gives you the opportunity to improve your ability to observe and to develop an understanding of how to transfer image compositions from photographs to your own art.
09 Exact observe / schools schools
It is easy to get into the trap and draw as you think that an object looks instead of presenting what is actually in front of you. In order to improve the accuracy, every artist must learn to separate his drawings of prefabricated opinions about what is shown. With time and increasing exercise, you develop a better understanding of how objects and forms behave, and the process of tracing becomes increasingly intuitive.
Before you achieve this self -confidence, there is a proven exercise to train your eyes : draw from a reference picture that is upside down. This method forces you to draw what you really see instead of relying on your own assumptions.
10 Combination of media: Mixed media experiments
Do not shy back to combine different media. First draw with pencil and then add layers with watercolor paints, ink or pastel chalks.
Mixed media brings a fresh dynamic to your work and enables you to explore different textural and visual effects.
11 practice mixing colors
Practice the mix of colors image source: FreePik
If you feel uninspired, it is an excellent idea to challenge yourself to combine certain colors. Annie O'Brien Gonzales (episode 1 of Learn to Paint Podcast) recommends taking color code
Why this is great: This exercise really focuses on a personal challenge. It is very fulfilling if you meet the color exactly. And even if that does not succeed, you will find out a lot about mixing colors in a risk -free way.
Annie O'Brien Gonzales (episode 1) talks about three different color schemes (monochromatic, analog and complementary) in her interview. Take a reference and challenge yourself to paint it individually with another color scheme (or use a ballpoint pen or colored pencil).
Why this is so exciting: it is impressive how different a painting can work depending on the color scheme used. It is also fun to have the feeling of wanting to use colors outside the scheme. Hold back! Really try to stick to the chosen scheme. If you do that, you will discover what is possible.
13 Free scribbling and finding ideas
Free scribbling and finding of ideas Images: FreePik
Skail sounds trivial, but it helps to free blocked thoughts. Without pressure to fill an empty leaf with random lines or patterns, can be very relaxing and at the same time deliver new ideas. Get your inner critic no chance and explore your spontaneous creativity.
14 printing techniques: From linocut to the monotype
Printing techniques such as linocut or monotype are not only traditional methods, but also incredibly fun. These techniques ask you to actively design negative areas and offer a completely new approach to your art creations. This exercise calls for your planning and craftsmanship.
15 storytelling through your art
Use your sketches or small drawings to tell a short story. This can be easy like the sequence of three pictures or a more complex narration.
Practice of storytelling through art helps you to think deeper about the meaning and message of your works and develop your narrative concentration.
16 meditative art exercises: Zentangle
Zentangle is a method of meditative drawing, in which repeated patterns are drawn on small areas. This practice not only has calming effects, but also improves your precision and ability to concentrate.
It is a wonderful way to intuitively flow your creativity.
What is Zentangle®? ZDF contribution in the program "Volle Kanne" with Nadine Roller, CZT ™ in Cologne
Bonus: The best techniques and tips for improving your artificial skills on YouTube
Sometimes text descriptions are sufficient to get a tip over. For most people, however, it is easy to follow a professional in a video. Therefore, we have compiled the best videos on YouTube on this topic for you. Unfortunately, these are usually only available in English. However, it is worth taking a look at the language settings and checking available subtitles.
In addition, the transcript can be displayed for each video, which can then be translated into your own language with a free translation tool.
How to Impove Your Art Skills [5 Must-Have Skills for Every Artist!]- Katie Jobling Art
IMPROVE Your Painting Skills (checklist) - Daria Callie
How to IMPROTE Your Painting - 5 Techniques - Kelly Eddington Watercolors
5 Top Tips to Instantly Improve Your Painting Skills - Paint and Pinot in Perth
Hidden Ways to Improve Your Painting Skills - Waddellwebisodes
Painting is a trip, no destination
Even if there are days when you feel unmotivated, remember that every little exercise brings you on. Use these techniques to find yourself back into your creative trace on the most difficult days. Let yourself be inspired, experiment and find your own way.
The world of art is just waiting to be rediscovered by you.
Owner and managing director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011. Successful conclusion in web design as part of a university degree (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expression painting and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through many years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.
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