Don’t compare your art with others…
It is reasonable that an art beginner has an artist they admire. In reality the same also applies to experienced and professionals. No matter what stage of development you are at there will be another artist who seems to be able to produce paintings that appear to be beyond your capabilities.
In many ways the only difference is the level of drawing and painting skills that separate the upper and lower tiers of ability – A fact that is not unreasonable to expect.
Someone who has worked for many years has an obvious advantage above a complete novice. So, recognising this, it is natural for a beginner to look up to an expert and to request practical guidance and tips to aid them achieve their own levels of art perfection.
Example demonstrations from a proficient watercolour painter will show the wonders that can be be done with nothing more than a piece of paper, paints, a brush and clean water. The difficulty for the newbie is that it is almost impossible to reproduce. More than likely the first efforts will be disappointing to say the least. The sky might cause little problem but, instead of producing a slick confidently painted landscape, you might be lucky if you can tell the difference between background trees, hedgerow and grass meadow.
“This is to be expected!”
However, after 6 months of practice the mess created by someone just like you, who previously hadn’t picked up a paintbrush before, will be transformed into something vastly different. Now, the result will have true qualities which should reward the effort. Even if the landscape differs from the original source (which could be a photograph or sketch) it will be a unique record that shows the artistic talent and ability of the painter.
This is where your Art begins…
“It is where what you want to do is affected by your ability to draw and paint rather than your lack of ability”
This is the time you should be able to see your ideas transform into paintings that show your way of thinking as much by the quality of your paint handling.
“You will see your designs develop from the pencil drawings used to plan and prepare for more ambitious work”
This is where you begin to surprise yourself by the way things happen, as if by magic. It is because you know you are capable of painting and drawing. You do not need to concentrate upon every single pencil mark and brushstroke.
Also, hopefully, once you reach this level your desire to copy will be gone…
Instead, you will be more interested in upgrading your skills and using your favourite artists for little more than reference. Instead of trying to copy you will be trying to replicate techniques and methods in your own way.
To close this article consider the answers to the following questions and see which sounds best…
“Do you draw a line from a point to a point?”
Or…
“Do you draw a line to a point from a point?”
If you take a pencil and try to draw a line using each the results may look the same. But, whether one or the other works better for you, it may somehow indicate a little of what really influences your art and the manner in which you will achieve the success you shall deserve…
“A way of thinking and doing things that is all your own!”
Wishing you every success with your Art
Michael Dale
p.s. Don’t miss 3 Vital Tips for An Art Beginner – Part 3 to see what “Be guided but not led” can mean for you as an artist…
| Michael Dale is the author and publisher of ‘The Simple And Easy Way To Learn How To Paint Watercolors‘.
See examples of Simple Watercolor Paintings and claim your FREE video ‘Through The Eyes Of An Artist‘ & you’ll receive the ’4 Golden Rules of Art for a Beginner’ delivered to your inbox. |
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