It seems that the life of an artist and their journey to success has to be a tumultuous one. However, that’s only the case if you head into it with the naivety that so many others before you have. Luckily, we have gathered the top tips from successful artists based on what they wish they knew when starting out. So, without further ado, here’s what every beginner should know to become a great artist.
Find What Helps you Stay Motivated
Becoming an artist isn’t easy by any means, and your mental health will be tested. That’s why the first and perhaps the most vital tip is to find ways to stay motivated and persevere after getting knocked down. Don’t let self-doubt creep up for too long or hinder your efforts. If you feel the overwhelming sensation of stress, remind yourself that you can’t fail if you don’t quit. Do whatever you need to stay positive, whether it’s taking a break to clear your mind and distract from intrusive thoughts or creating a vision board to look at that brings you comfort and excitement to remind you why you love your craft on tough days.
Turn Criticism into Inspiration
As an artist, you will be met with criticism for various reasons, and there are two ways to look at this: either allow the criticism to fuel your self-doubt or take the criticism as a learning opportunity. No one can tell that you’re not good enough unless you allow yourself to interpret it that way. At the end of the day, if you are constantly learning and improving, you will believe in your talent. So, a top tip to keep in mind is that every criticism you receive is a chance to feel inspired and perfect your skills. If you struggle to develop a thick skin, consider this a way to stick it to anyone who has made you question yourself.
No matter what field of art you have a talent for, be it performance art, painting, acting, dancing, sculpting, etc. it is always a good idea to research your craft as much as you can. For instance, as a painter or drawer, you may already have found your unique style, but without the fundamentals, you will have trouble showcasing your talent in the best way. Learning the basics of art and art concepts from color and composition to value and anatomy will ensure you are equipped with all the tools you need to start your journey to becoming a successful artist. Becoming the kind of artist you desire to be can be a struggle which is why you don’t want to skip learning about all the elements you need that experts have learned through trials and tribulations.
Find Balance
If you don’t spend enough time practicing your craft, it will be hard to improve. That being said, if you overwork yourself, you’ll burn out quickly. You need to find the balance between working hard and putting in the time and effort, whilst prioritizing rest days to recharge and unwind. As mentioned above, if you don’t take a self-care or mental health day, you won’t be motivated to keep going. On the other hand, don’t sit around claiming you have yet to find inspiration. This myth has led many people to give up on their dreams. If you have the energy for it, get up and do it; you’ll quickly see what you come up with, and it will also make you feel good.
Short-Term Goals Are More Important Than Long-Term Goals
Obviously, without a long-term goal in mind, you won’t have much to look forward to or keep you going, so you want to keep the end result in mind; perhaps use your vision board to remind yourself why you’re doing this. However, short-term goals are what lead you there because these become your habits. Habits are your best bet for success. For example, creating short-term goals like giving 3 to 4 days a week to your craft, will keep you motivated each week as you’ll be actively doing something that brings you close to your end goal. Getting too preoccupied with the long-term goal can lead to a lot of daydreaming followed by the overwhelming sensation of how much you have to get done. Therefore, focusing on the short-term goals will have you reaching the end without you realizing it.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to handle the good and bad days that come with striving for success. Remember, your actions and decisions determine how your artistic career will go. So, make sure you have all the tools you need to be mentally and physically capable to take on your dreams and become a great artist.
