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What are the hallmarks of a great artist? What separates the great creative minds of our generations from the wannabes and pretenders? It’s hard to nail it down. In general, though, great artist tend to share a few core qualities that can help lead to the creation of excellent artwork.
1. A Good Eye
You don’t have to have 20-20 vision to be an excellent artist, but you do have to have a good eye. Sounds a bit like an oxy-moron, doesn’t it? Digital art is above all else a visual form of art. It is critical that an artist is able to understand what is visually appealing and what is visually unappealing. A lot of that is innate. We know from a young age what we like to look at.
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But there’s a big difference between competence and mastery. The best artists have nurtured their curiosity for visual aesthetics into something truly powerful. You can follow in their footsteps by relentlessly pursuing beautiful artwork. Go to art galleries. Watch movies, or maybe even make movies! Draw your loved one. Take photographs of delicious food. The world is so full of beautiful visual art that you’d have to be crazy not to look at every single moment as if you’re in art class.
2. Humility
Your ego is one of your own worst enemies. You build a wall around yourself that deflects criticism and rename it “confidence” so that you feel better about yourself. You suck at taking criticism.
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“Wait, that’s not true. I’m great at taking criticism!” If you just thought that, then guess what: you just had a knee-jerk defensive reaction to criticism. Do you ever watch Kitchen Nightmares? I know reality shows don’t have much to do with visual effects, but that show will teach you incredible lessons about humility. In nearly every single episode, Gordon Ramsay shows up at a restaurant and points out all the problems. Then, without fail, the restaurant owners deny, deny, deny nonstop for the next 30 minutes while Ramsay gradually ties to chip through that defensive wall. In fact, one of his videos went viral a while back. The folks at Amy’s Baking Company were so incredibly resistant to criticism that they came off as loons.
3. Pride
“But wait, you just said that I’m supposed to be humble!”
Yeah, I know — another oxy-moron! It’s important that you have a certain level of confidence in your work. That will give you the courage you need to venture into unexplored artistic territory with new innovations. Also, having great pride in your work will ensure that you elevate your art to a higher level. You’re venturing down a dangerous road if you’ve ever thought to yourself, “Eh, whatever… It’s good enough.” You should strive for perfection in your artwork at all times.
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I like to think that confidence will help you get close to the finish line, but humility will allow you to make the optimal final corrections in order to finish the race strong. Listening to critics and applying their advice to your daily life will also give you a head start in your next artistic marathon. Humility and pride — it’s difficult to strike the balance between these two extremes, but if you can pull it off then you are on the way to becoming a true artistic star!
Right at this very second, hundreds or possibly even thousands of artists across the world are practicing their artistic skills. Don’t get left in the dust! At the Gnomon School, you’ll learn invaluable techniques that can help you take your art skills to the next level. Discover new and exciting sources of inspiration! Learn art techniques from veterans of the industry! Learn how to create a niche for yourself in this ever-growing market! Are you ready to become a better artist? Get started today!