I am a developing artist.
Hi, I won't exactly disclose my name but u can call me Yuri. I am a student who desires 2 be an artist. Whenever I've tried to show others my art, I always got the same half hearted reaction "nice". So I was hoping if anyone could give me some tips on how to become better in arts.
I am terrible and color sketching, using color pencils in sketching, understanding the light source. And I barely have any idea on any kind of tools used in arts. I even do sculpting but I use tools like pencil, toothpick, ear bud, scale etc.
I'm also a newbie, so I was also hoping if someone was willing to teach me how things work around here In a simple way. Because I am like a school student, not even collage so I don't understand half of the *** I read so...
Thank you for all those who took the time to read this lil but long intro of mine. Thank you very much ☺️
@Yuri4841
I hope some fellow artists might reach out with some tips for you.
Good luck with it all and never stop following your passions 💚😊
Thank you for the hug ☺️
@Yuri4841
Hi Yuri! It is so great to meet you. First of all, please don't be discouraged by those "nice" comments. Often, people say "nice" not because your art is lacking, but because they don't know how to give specific feedback.Being a student and starting your art journey is a very exciting phase. The fact that you’re using toothpicks and pencils to sculpt shows you have a creative, problem-solving mind that's a superpower in art!
Don't Fear the Tools
Using household items like toothpicks and ear buds is actually a technique called "MacGyvering." Many professional sculptors use random tools they find in their kitchen. If you want to "level up" your toolkit slowly, look for:
A Kneaded Eraser: It looks like gray putty or clay. You can shape it into a point to erase tiny spots.
Blending Stumps: These look like pencils made of rolled-up paper. They help you smooth out pencil marks so they don't look scratchy.
A Basic Set of Drawing Pencils: Look for pencils labeled 2B, 4B, and 6B. The higher the number, the darker and softer the lead.
Lighting Made Simple Understanding light is just like playing with a flashlight in a dark room.
The Light Source: Imagine a single lightbulb in the corner of your paper.
The Highlight: The part of your drawing closest to that "bulb" will be the brightest (leave it white).
The Shadow: The part furthest away will be the darkest.
The "Core Shadow": This is the dark line where the light stops hitting the object.
Tip: Try drawing a simple ball (a circle) and pretend there is a lamp hitting it from the top right. Try to shade it from very dark to very light.
Working with Color Pencils Most people make the mistake of pressing down really hard immediately. This "waxes" the paper and makes it impossible to add more color.
Layering: Color very, very lightly in circles. Then, go over it again with another color.
Mixing: Want a nice green? Don't just use a green pencil. Use a light layer of blue, then a layer of yellow on top. It looks much more "professional" and deep!
How to Handle "Nice"
When you show someone your art, try asking them a specific question instead of just showing it. Instead of: "What do you think?"
Try: "Does the lighting on this arm look realistic to you?" or "Do these colors feel happy or sad?" This forces people to look closer and give you the feedback you actually want
You're doing great!
Every artist you admire started exactly where you are feeling "terrible" and confused by tools. The only difference is they didn't stop. You have the passion; the skill will follow with practice.
@16peacefulBraveheart01
Kneaded erasers and blending stumps (also called tortillions) are KEY to amazing pencil art. Just trust me. <3
Also, DEF recommend "Mark Kistler's Draw Squad". It's the only book I ever found that worked. It taught me to draw, and now I'm an artist. It's chea online on Half Price Books, and more expensive on Amazon.
@jesusredeemedme2425
*cheap
I never knew such a book existed. I SHALL CHECK IT OUT ONLINE!!! 😄😊😅
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I never knew that sketching and using colors would be so easy. Whenever I asked my teachers in school, they used to explain it in such a complicated way my mind use to blow a fuse. So, thank you a lot for helping me. 💓
@Yuri4841
I'm an artist that's why I know and M glad it helped you somehow
Happy colouring 😊
Really!! What kind of art do you make, if u don't mind me asking. I do simple still lifes and scenery painting, you know. I also do simple sculptures, basic sculptures sometimes, you know.
Sounds nice ð¤©.... Well I mostly do digital artwork... I do post them frequently
@Yuri4841
Hello! I would say that art is a way of processing the world around us.
The process being: observing --> interpreting--> translating onto the page.
I believe I improved the most when I focused on learning how to observe like an artist first.
A few free/low cost resources that I think are helpful when beginning are Proko, Aaron Blaise, and Lovelifedrawing videos.
On the subject of feedback, its hard to tell what another person is thinking or feeling in the moment.
It may be more helpful to ask yourself:
How did I feel while making this piece?
What do I feel while looking at my artwork?
No matter where an artist is in their journey, they deserve to feel proud of the work they produce. No justifications needed.
I wish you the best on your journey! 🎨
Thank you everyone for their support.
Thank you everyone for their support.
What helps in my case anyway was to develop a strong intuition. This takes years of practice however the more proactive you are about it the better. I say just buy a small sketchbook to keep in each room of your home. Instead of doom scrolling or playing games on your phone just start working on the sketchbook instead. Anyway, I hope that helps. ❤️
Yuri, my advice to you is practice, practice and practice some more! But learn from your failures and mistakes and change your technique accordingly.
Educate yourself on the basics art fundamentals and don't be shy to experiment!!
@Yuri4841 hi yuri :)
something that can help with lighting is to look up how it works in photography, even tho you’d be using it for drawing
seeing what key lights, fill lights, and backlights do irl makes it make a lot more sense on paper
there are also some kinda “preset” lighting things like Rembrandt or split for portraiture
hope it helps n welcome!
