Archive for January, 2011

7 Things Every Art Student Should Know

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

To be a successful art student, and a successful artist, there are certain things you just have to know.  You can try to learn these lessons along the way or you can go in already knowing them.  It will be easier on you if you just learn them now.

Rejection Happens

Just in case you haven’t already experienced this you should know that rejection happens and it happens to everyone.  It doesn’t mean that your art is not good or that you have no future as an artist.  Rejection is going to happen.  Learn what you can from it and move on.

Originality Is Key

There are a lot of art students who can reproduce the work and style of others and a lot fewer who can create something truly original.  You want to find your own original style and go with it.  And don’t be afraid to try new things.

Always Practice

Practice is how you improve your technique.  Practice whenever you can so that you can gain full mastery of your artistic abilities.  Even if you have done something a thousand times before, odds are practicing it a few more times can help you to improve the way that you do it and the final result even more.  The great artists are the ones who practice.

Drawing Is A Great Foundation

Drawing is a great foundation no matter what mediums you may work with.  Drawing gives you a grasp of the fundamentals that is difficult to fully obtain anywhere else.  Whether you work in paint, sculpture, or with computers taking the time to work on your drawing will definitely pay off.

Trusting Your Instincts Will Take You Far

Everyone has their own opinions about what good art is, about the type of art you should do, and about what you should do with that art once it is finished.  While you want to listen to informed opinions, in the end you want to trust your own instincts.  In art and in life, trusting what you feel is right is the best way to get where you want to go.

Art Takes Effort

Art takes effort.  As much as creating art may be a joyful experience for you, sometimes you are going to have to put in effort when you are not feeling like an artist effortlessly creating beauty.  You have to put in the effort at these times anyway.  This goes for getting your artwork seen too.

There’s Always More To Learn

There is always more to learn.  No matter how much you know about art, a particular technique, or what you want to create there is always more to learn that will improve your understanding of art and your ability to create it.  The greatest artists never stop learning and growing.

These 7 things that every artist should know will take you far.  Art is both joy and discipline and you need to respect both aspects.  It takes an excessive amount of practice and control to freely express what you want to express through your art.

T. RHEINECKER writes mostly about how to enroll in master of art education programs.

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