Art is a talent that many have learned, the inspiration of which stems from many places. Some stem from attention, some from childhood, and much more. One thing artists have in common is the want to be better. There are 10 techniques that can help you grow confidence in your art talent and actually improve and many overlook these!

1. No base building.

Many artists, including the professionals, tend to always have some level of base building. While it is a basic step, this is vital. You can’t exactly portray your Mona Lisa in a perfect way with nothing built. Turning the image into basic shapes helps you visualize what you need to do next.

1. 10 Minutes of practice per day vs drawing a full piece all day

Experience. That’s all this includes. Suffering everyday and drawing a full piece is not worth it. Why? You can get further with ten minutes a day of anatomy practice. Drawing a full piece everyday zaps the creative juices out of you.

1. Linework : Hand vs Arm

Linework is the bane of all artists’ existence. It hurts your hand and doesn’t even turn out good. However, what if I told you that you can fix one of those problems? Sadly not the pain but to make linework better. While it seems insignificant, using your entire arm for linework can help tremendously! While not effortlessly, you can bend your elbow to make a less wiggly curved line, and that’s just one example.

1. Blending too much

If you ever look at a professionally made piece of art, you’d notice that the shading, lighting, etc of the image are sometimes soft and sometimes hard. This is an effect your blending can have. Depending on your blending, it can make a scene look horrid or amazing. It takes practice and observation to see what would look best in what scenario but don’t be afraid to use both in different places.

1. Hard vs Soft Lighting

Speaking of hard and soft blending, let’s talk about lighting. Lighting can be an insane make or break in your artwork. It shows the shadows and geometry of your art. Lighting can be hard but once again, practicing can do the best for you. Some pieces require more tame, softer lighting for maybe a wholesome or sad effect. Some pieces require more hard and evident lighting for more hardcore effects.

1. Colors!

Color theory is hard and if it was to be explained here, this magazine would be more like “Learning Art ” rather than Fair Facts. Here are two easy tips for better colors in your pieces. First of all, colors on the opposite side of the spectrum can go well for each other. Say for example blue eyes and orange eyes, it brings more colors to your character and also brings some personality traits to the surface. Secondly, layer effects!! This can be so important, as this can cause certain things to look different atop of other colors and fun fact, can help with lighting!

1. Multiple Layers

Speaking of layers! I’m sure you’ve seen artists with over a hundred different layers. Little fact, I’ve done it myself. As confusing as it can look, it’s actually helpful. You can block in the colors, lock the layer, and color only in that area. It’s also easier to edit certain effects and also layer effects! 

1. Experimenting

Surprisingly, art has a decent amount to do with science. Such as mixing colors and experimenting! If you’re new or old to the creative process, it’s still good to do. Experimenting with different styles, colors, effects, etc. can be so important and interesting as it brings more of your maybe bland artistic traits into a more shiny and refined version. You can also find a faster and better way to do things! Just experiment!

1. “Trash” Art

A form of experimentation can actually be trash art. Spill your coffee, glue your hair, just experiment. This type of art can help you release stress and realize that maybe hey! Art isn’t always about being good. It can oil up your creativity and prepare you for a real piece.

1. Extra Linework Details

Right back into the depths of suffering. Linework. Some good details to make you linework pop and also feel funnier and less horrible is line details. Maybe add some hatching here and cross hatching there to empathize with the shadows. Add some lines to your hair to make it more hair-like. Adding these little details makes your art also lean on your linework more and relieves your coloring skills.

Welp, that’s all the art tips I have for you for now. Expanding on experimenting with art, linework, color theory, and all this can be important. Finding your style as a new artist? Try this. Just a bored advanced artist? Try these!