Image source: Telegraph.co.uk
Our ongoing series brings us to part 3! Be sure to check out parts 1 and 2 for an in-depth look at the qualities of truly great artists.
1. They’re Art Experts
This one kind of sounds like a given, doesn’t it? Well, there’s actually a lot more to it than you might think. The ability to appreciate art is largely inherent — we know what we like and what we don’t like simply by looking at it. Yet, there’s a world of difference between a casual observer and a true art critic. Art critics understand all of the subtle details about a piece of art and the historical context behind its composition.
Image source: Morrisshapiro.wordpress.com
Tell me, which do you think will have a better understanding of artistic principles: a visual effects artist who only creates art, or a visual effects artist who creates art and spends much of his free time studying the works of other artists? The latter, obviously — the more you immerse yourself in the world of art, the more you’ll be able to appreciate (and thereby utilize) advanced art techniques.
2. Challenge the Status Quo
By its very nature, art pushes at the boundaries of social conventions. It outrages, it annoys, it revolutionizes, and it grows. Some of the greatest artists from history rose to fame because they used art to challenge long-held ideas about the world.
Image source: Photovide.com
You can’t simply reproduce and regurgitate the same basic art techniques that you learned years ago. You have to constantly innovate and adapt, pushing yourself to take your art to the next level.
3. Passion
Being an artist is a profession where passion is mandatory. Other jobs might be able to get away with passionless workers, like accounting, but a passionless artist isn’t going to fool anybody.
It’s probably safe to say that you have artistic passion — otherwise you wouldn’t have been motivated to become an artist and you wouldn’t be reading this blog. You absolutely must cultivate your passion every single day, especially because working at the same job year after year can cause some people to get burnt out.
Image source: Therainbowcollective.com
I recommend that look at yourself honestly and figure out what you need to do in order to maintain your passion. Me? I’ve already figured myself out. I have to constantly come up with new ideas in order to nurture my creativity, so it’s no surprise that I write a blog that requires me to come up with fresh topics every single day. If I had an artistic job where somebody from up on high gave assignments and I had to create exactly what my boss told me to create, then I’d slowly go insane for having my creativity strangled.
I’m working with my passion rather than against it. Identify your passions ASAP, and then relentlessly pursue a career where you will be able to nurture your passion every single day on the job.
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!