Image source: Allaboutwildlife.com

Cave paintings have been traced back to 40,000 years ago. So, it goes without saying that mankind has been experimenting with art for a long time. At any given moment there are thousands of artists working on something interesting and creative, so how on Earth can an artist ever hope to come up with something truly original?

1. Understand that “True” Originality is Rare

It’s all pretty much been done before. That being said, there’s still enough creative wiggle room for you to take an old idea and use it in a new way. The South Park episode “The Simpsons Already Did It” captures this idea fairly well. Yeah, there are thousands of other artists who have worked on projects just like yours, so you really just have to overcome that fact and focus on what makes your artwork unique.

2. Avoid Cliches

Cliches are popular for a reason — they speak to something fundamental inside of us. A hero gets the girl. A sunrise symbolizes a new beginning. An evil villain stands in the way of a young adventurer. The best artists know when to take advantage of popular cliches and when to get rid of them entirely. And even if you do have to use a cliche, try to put your own unique spin on it. Star Wars, for example, follows common storytelling archetypes. George Lucas put a unique spin on popular archetypes by changing some of the characters into robots and aliens.

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3. Create a Signature Style

You can set your artwork apart from your peers by imbuing your art some some sort of original flair. Every artist’s personality is unique, so the more of yourself that you can pour into your artwork the more distinct it will become.

Image source: Artsjournal.com

4. Break the Rules

Convention leads to repetition. Defying the rules leads to innovation and epiphanies. Getting an advanced art education can teach you a lot about the fundamental principles of art, but sometimes you’ve just got to throw everything to the wind and try something stupid. Will it work? Maybe, maybe not — but getting yourself into an unconventional mindset will allow you to pioneer new art styles.

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!