| Many people want to become an artist, yet they feel | | | | booksellers. Many of the books are rated by other |
| they were not "born" with the talent to do so. I | | | | customers. This will give you a good idea of what's |
| personally disagree with this belief. To become an | | | | popular and worth buying. You can either get the book |
| accomplished artist is just like anything else in life. It | | | | online, or go to your local book store with a few titles |
| requires the correct mindset and the willingness to | | | | that you researched, and skim through the books |
| succeed. | | | | before you buy. |
| DESIRE - First and foremost, you need to have the | | | | If you are lucky enough to have a local public television |
| desire to learn and grow. Without the desire to learn | | | | station in your area, you should definitely check into it. |
| and grow, your interest will fade over time. You will | | | | Here in New York, there is a great public television |
| definitely make mistakes and progress may not | | | | station dedicated to the arts. It airs many educational |
| happen as quickly as you originally anticipated. If you | | | | arts and crafts shows, and I watch it every day. |
| lack the desire to continue and learn from those | | | | Find a method of learning that you are comfortable |
| mistakes, you will not see much in the way of | | | | with or try them all! At the end of this article you will |
| progress. I can attest to this. When I first began oil | | | | see a great resource with free art and craft lessons |
| painting I recall how terrible my first paintings were. I | | | | and other great resources for beginners. Make sure |
| had no experience mixing or matching colors. I did not | | | | you check it out when you are finished reading this |
| understand that mixing colors is a science all in itself. I | | | | article. |
| would either mix too many colors, or mix the wrong | | | | BUYING YOUR SUPPLIES - Before you go out to |
| colors, and my mixtures came out terrible. I did become | | | | your local store or shop online for your supplies, make |
| quite frustrated, and eventually discouraged, until I finally | | | | sure you do a little research first. Visit online forums |
| stopped for a while. It wasn't until I took a trip to The | | | | and chat rooms to find out what materials & supplies |
| Museum of Modern Art in New York City, that I | | | | other artists in your particular area of interest are using. |
| realized just how badly I wanted to paint. I became | | | | You will be surprised by the number of responses you |
| inspired and my desire to paint was ignited once again. | | | | receive. Many experienced artists are more than |
| So make certain that you always stay inspired to | | | | happy to give advice and answer questions. Make |
| create. Surround yourself with creativity. Talk to other | | | | sure you make it known that you are a beginner and |
| artists. Look at other artwork, etc. | | | | that you are looking for descent quality supplies for |
| LEARN & PRACTICE - Once you have found the | | | | beginners. |
| desire to embark on your artistic journey, you will | | | | Once you learn more about the types of supplies you |
| obviously need to learn and practice. You will need the | | | | will need, don't settle for one brand or manufacturer. |
| right resources and teachers to guide you in the right | | | | My advice would be to purchase supplies from a |
| direction. Everyone is different and your way of | | | | number of different manufacturers. Everyone is |
| learning anything new can differ from another persons | | | | different and you will find that over time you will |
| learning methods. | | | | develop a preference toward specific products. Do |
| Some people learn better by watching others. If this is | | | | not purchase the most expensive or highest quality |
| the case, purchase some quality videos or DVD's. | | | | supplies at first. In the beginning you are learning and |
| Watch them once or twice first before you participate. | | | | experimenting. It is best to do this with cheaper |
| This will make the experience much more enjoyable | | | | supplies. You can then upgrade to more expensive or |
| and easier to follow once you are ready to join in. | | | | higher quality products later on. |
| There are a number of well made and resourceful | | | | SHARE YOUR WORK WITH OTHERS - Once you |
| videos and DVD's on the market today. | | | | create your first work of art go out and share it with |
| Perhaps you prefer to learn in a group or classroom | | | | family, friends and other artists. There are a number of |
| setting with an instructor. Do a search for beginner | | | | discussion forums online where you can submit your |
| workshops in your area and join a few. The benefitof | | | | artwork for others to view and comment on. Don't be |
| the classroom setting is the instant feedback you | | | | afraid of the criticism and by all means, never let |
| receive on your work. You also have other students | | | | anything anyone says about your work discourage |
| and an instructor there to answer any questions that | | | | you. Everyone has been where you are now at one |
| you may have. There are workshops available on | | | | point in his or her artistic journey. The majority of |
| virtually everything from painting to crafts, so you | | | | people you show your work to will be patient and |
| should be able to find something in your area or online. | | | | helpful. This is a great way to learn and grow as an |
| Maybe you prefer to read books and learn on your | | | | artist, so get out there and show yourself. |
| own, at your own pace. This is the way I started | | | | I do hope these tips have helped and have given you |
| learning. I have a nice little library now of great books | | | | some confidence and direction. Remember to never |
| that I am constantly re-visiting. There is definitely no | | | | get discouraged. If you really want to become an |
| shortage of reading material out there. I usually go | | | | accomplished artist, just keep at it. You will create your |
| online first and do research at the popular online | | | | first work of art in no time. |