Thursday 22 December 2016

Check this guy out!

His name is Zeddartha Anada, his videos are dope and informative. You can learn a bunch of new techniques and how to be more creative (in painting).

He's just starting out so make sure to subscribe and never miss his new episodes!

Here's a link to his YouTube channel.

Wednesday 14 December 2016

Artistic block?

Do you know that feeling of block when you try to paint something?

I think every artist at some point in his artistic endeavour had this problem. You feel like painting something, but then "BAM!"- you come across a block.
You start wondering "Maybe this isn't the best idea" or "I think it will not look good when I finish it". These kinds of thoughts may occur because you saw some amazing art on Artstation, Behance, ConceptArt.org, etc. There are plenty of great artists out there and looking at their work may be inspiring but also daunting if you are just starting out your adventure with digital painting.

When too much inspiration overloads and becomes copying instead of creating, you rid yourself of your most valuable characteristic as a creator - your own perspective.

Let's make something clear.
Yes, it's good to have role models and  to look up to artists that inspire you. But it is not ok to try to become exactly like them.


WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

If you love a particular artist go ahead, study their style. It is probably one of the fastest means for getting from point A to point B in terms of acquiring a particular skill or a technique. Take the time, think about what their thinking process was. Why did they do things, the way they did them?

And don't limit yourself to the Old Masters only. I know, it's been said that you should only study the artists that stood the test of time, and sure these guys are your no.1 pick. But if some more modern alive people inspire you, why limit youself?
Whatever you find attractive in other people's work, you can learn too and add it to your skill set.



BUT DO IT SEPARATELY FROM CREATING YOUR OWN STUFF

Decide "Right now, I'm stuying another artist's techinque". This way you will acquire a technique but you will avoid the constant comparing between what should be your authentic expression, with somebody else's art. That's the real killer, this you should avoid first and foremost.
The outcome of such practice may be lowering your artistic-self esteem. You don't need that.

You want to be optimistic, ready to learn and to express yourself! And whatever you feel like expressing, express it!

I want to see what you have to say.
Because if you are a creative mind, you are here to say something. Dig deeper and you will find that urge. Let that voice be your unique perspective, not a copy of a thousand voices.


When you study other artists, you are not only studying their technique. You get inside their minds, their emotions, their view of the world.
That's why it's so dangerous not to pay attention to what you have in your own mind. You become a copy of other people's expression if you don't know who you are.

So, yeah I understand there are certain requirements if you e.g. want to become a concept artist. Certain realism has to be present. What I'm saying here is this - get inspired, improve your skills but remember not to lose your authentic self.