Tips On How To Be a Better Artist

This journal was made to help give you tips to be a better artist. Please check out my other journals: Tips On Where to sell your art:lilithssmile.deviantart.com/jo… ;and keep a look out for my upcoming journals tips to be a better writer and tips to get published

Practice and Challenge: Well i guess the 1st thing is Practice and to always challege yourself. I know its typical but its true. Try practicing out of your safe zone and trying things you havent before. Make music.  Write literature.  Read a book.  Hike.  Never forget to take an afternoon for yourself and follow other endeavors. You might discover new passions and talents. oh and take a stetchbook or some yarn and hooks or w/e you enjoying doing to practice with during down time.

Here are 2 links to groups that offer challenges so that you may try something new: 100themeschallenge.deviantart.… & artisancraft.deviantart.com/

Attend drawing classes at your local community center or go to college: Many local cummunity centers may offer small art classes like painting and sculpting. If you cant find something you like there try online classes, local colleges for courses or go all out and go to college for your art passion.

Here is a link to find schools: www.findyourartschool.com/ep/a… & www.allartschools.com/
Lacma: www.lacma.org/art-classes

Find Tutorials & Intrustional Videos: It is always help to learn the knowledge of others. People are willing to make tutorials and videos most of the time for free just to help you. the easiet part is all you have to do is look. dont be to good to learn the wisdom of other.
there are plenty of sites out there that offer free tutorials. most of the time all you gotta do is look. DA is a good place to gain advice they have groups dedicated to tutrials.

here are some DA groups on da that offer tutorials: artistshospital.deviantart.com… & tutorialsforyou.deviantart.com… & photoshop-tutorials.deviantart… & divine-tutorials.deviantart.co…

here are some sites:
empty easel: emptyeasel.com/art-tutorials/d…
artwiki: artwiki.wikidot.com/
youtube: www.youtube.com/
try a bob ross movie: www.bobross.com/

Buy a Art Book: they make all kinds of books on art. All you have to do is go down to your local book store or order online:
Amazon: www.Amazon.com

Use References and Mimic I don't mean tracing. By using references and mimicing the styles of others,you can find a way to give your unique artwork a direction.  Even the top tier artists use references and aspire to the greatness of our artistic predecessors.  They don't guess how grass would act in an environment; they look at photos of it and line them up to research its behavior.  Never guess, always have something handy to see just how it looks.

Research & Observation One of the biggest components to becoming a solid artist is  observation. It is key because everything you do as an artist requires you pay full attention to details.  Research and observe what you're creating and be sure to take the time needed to make certain that all your eggs are accounted for before moving unto the next task.
Small details countBut less is more, yes small details add depth and complexity to your work, but don't become obsessed with that screw on your latest character's armor if in the end your fine craftsmanship will be hidden by a shield or clothing in the end. Learn the delicate balancing act of aesthetics and speed.

Don't get discouraged & Always strive to be better: this goes without saying, but it amazes me how many artists out there "settle" because it's convenient or they can't bother to change. You can get discourages about your work and either just give up on a project or not even try something else becuase you "cant" do it. The only way to grow as an artist is to always strive to accomplish something you couldn't before, it's only when you do this that you realize how for you've come and how much further you have to go.
Do Something Else From Time To Time Take Breaks and Manage Your TimeTake breaks.  Frequently.   You need to rest those eyes, let them recover.  Something like doing another chore such as folding laundry can keep those muscles warmed up but clear the head nicely. The amount of time you spend on an image isn't nearly as impressive as the actual look of the image in the end. Just get it done and make it look good.

Criticism is your friend Your work will be eventually subjected to scrutiny, and there's nothing you can do about it, but dont let bullies get you down. Not everyone will be correct and not all criticisms will be genuine, but always be opened to criticism and never let it deter you from your goals, whether they're good or bad. Take real criticism as adive from your audiance as to weither they like what your doing and if you need more improvemnts. Not be easily offended and just work harder.
Draw from lifeThere's no bigger resource out there that can help you as much as reality. Be it a 10 foot tall metal munching robot or an intergalactic universe, it all connects to reality.

Be courteous, help others. Somewhere along the line you were there to. Share your knowledge and give healthy cirtiques. Dont blast the artist for their wrongs but point them out and offer advice to fix them.
If you have other tips you would like to add or share, please don't hesitate. so that i can update this and share more with art world.

thx to: vest.deviantart.com/ for making the journal 7 tips to instantly become a better artist vest.deviantart.com/journal/7-… which was a great help and inspiration for this journal.