Six Things You Should Know if You Want to Start Doing Art

Do you want to start doing art? Why not? Well if you do, that’s great! It’s fun, rewarding and relaxing. Here are some things you should know to get started.

1. Art classes at school are a good way to get your foot in the door because it is a perfect way to explore a lot of different mediums and find out what you like.

2. You can just start. Even if it's with printer paper and mechanical pencils. You don’t need the best materials as a beginner. Just find a medium that interests you and you have access to. Personally I really like pencil sketches. Don’t have a tortillon(a tool to blend and smudge)? Use your finger; not ideal, but for a beginner you use what you have. Or you could also use a Q-tip; it works pretty well. Try keeping one end of your eraser sharp for when you need precise erasing. The list goes on. You will find little tricks and the ways you like to do things as you practice. As you continue, you will likely start acquiring better materials; maybe ask for them for your birthday.

3. Next, you might want to figure out what you want to paint, draw, or depict. I would recommend practicing that category of things again and again, but only as long as it engages you because the last thing you want is to let making art become tedious when you are a beginner. You are less likely to continue if the task feels like a chore. So as you work, follow what interests you and what you are good at. Really liked how that colored pencil drawing turned out? Do another! Take a break from painting for a bit. Hone in on what you like and get good at it! Then maybe try something else! Whatever happens, don't get discouraged. The more you work at it the better your skills will get.

4. Know that the internet is your resource! Try looking up tutorials on different parts of your work. Maybe you want to practice cartoon faces, or realistic noses. Maybe you have always wanted to paint bubbles! Whatever you are doing it can be helpful to get some guidance.

5. Draw from a reference photo! For me at least, my art comes out ten times better when I do this. Just start with reference photos and maybe someday, you will be able to make crazy realistic art from your head.

6. Getting feedback is so helpful. Share your art! Showing someone or a fellow artist some of your work is very rewarding. It’s great to get constructive Criticism. It can be hard for some people to share their art but whether they just cheer you on or give you a good pointer, someone else’s perspective can be really nice. Keep in mind, as the months go by, you might be a little embarrassed of your early work but it just shows your improvement.

Overall art is a great hobby and so fun. You can always start small, so why not just start?