10 Commandments for The Beginning Artist
Do you consider yourself an artist?
You may think that if you're a lawyer, a teacher, an accountant, a doctor or an engineer you have nothing to do with artistry. If that is the case, then you cannot be farther from the truth.
Truth is, we are all artists. Some of us have a great eye on picking home décor. Some of us cook delicious meals or bake gorgeous cakes as a hobby, some of us can create or choose the finest gifts for our loved ones, some of us enjoy fantasy books and films or write occasionally some engaging content or poetry.
It doesn't matter what do you do for a living, you may have a tiny artistic part in your soul.
Do you remember the child you were and what you liked to do? Every child is an artist until he's been told otherwise.
Unleash your inner artist!
We have been through major changes as a humanity (and Jews) through history and also now, for over a year with the current pandemic. With all the financial problems, life and career changes and unfortunately health issues and life losses, we have learned to appreciate life even more. Some people got closer to their families despite the social distance, reevaluated what they do with their life, started to treat themselves and others kinder than before and realized nothing is certain except the uncertainty.
So it’s a perfect time to explore and enjoy life more, and develop skills and hobbies such as painting, designing, drawing and creating art.
Here are the 10 commandments that will guide you through your first artistic steps.
Ready?
- Don't wait for inspiration, just start. Sit in front of a canvas and start painting. Start sketching a design. Don't wait to be inspired, just start with nothing and out of nothing, ideas will arrive.
- Ask why are you making this piece and what for. What message you want to convey? Even if it's a painting for your living room, what vibes and feeling you want to create there?
- Make a research about the necessary products before you buy them. You want to buy colors, sewing materials, or anything else? There is plenty of information online including stores with great service that can offer you a genuine advice.
- Make a working space in your house. It doesn't have to be something big, a table with a chair in any corner is enough. You can decorate your working spot or leave it neutral, just make sure you have a spot for your art. If you paint you can get a stand.
- If you need to use colors, get familiar with the basic colors- red, blue and yellow.
Buy also black and white and have fun mixing these colors to get different hues of pink, orange, green and more.
- Do you want to get some techniques and ideas? YouTube is full with design, painting, sculpting and other arts. You can find very helpful videos for free.
- Do you want to draw? Start by drawing your daily events and thoughts. Get familiar with the feeling of drawing. It doesn't have to be pretty or anything, it will just help you to practice a new language.
- Don't be afraid to improvise and play with ideas, colors and styles. History has famous artists like Picasso and Van Goh, that liked to throw paint on canvas and to see what they get.
- If you are going to sketch or draw you can learn on YouTube how to create a 3-D drawings and the proper proportions with great ease. There are also books for that.
- Always remember: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There's no such thing as objective beauty. Think of clothes that their design seemed terrible to you but other people have bought them. The painting in a museum that was a big deal for you but boring for your friend. That piece of music, a concert, a song, a film that you loved but your spouse didn't. Just create art with no judgement.
Good luck! Let us know in the comments how it goes!