10 Ways to Improve Your Art Skills

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I’m not the greatest artist out there and I know that.

But no matter your skill level, if you like to create art, then you ARE an artist.

And as an artist, you’re constantly learning and evolving – whether you’re a beginner or an expert.

I know that’s true for me, and I think it’s true for all of us.

It’s important to continue learning and improving as an artist. So, that’s what I want to talk about today.

Here are 10 ways to improve your art skills!

1- Trace / use a reference photo.

Tracing an image or using a reference photo can seem kind of like cheating, but hear me out. There are so many ways that it can help you improve your art skills. Here are a few ways it can do that:

it teaches you how to place certain elements in your art
it allows you to understand different perspectives and compositions
it helps you build your skills by building muscle memory

2- Try a new medium.

Sometimes I get stuck or hit a roadblock because I’m not feeling inspired to do much painting. Instead of giving up or taking a break from creating, I try something different. I take time to draw, crochet, or write instead. This allows me to keep flexing my creative muscles, and can sometimes leave me feeling inspired. This also helps to master a new form of art. So, don’t be afraid to try a new medium and grow more!

3- Take a class or course.

Taking an art class or course can be super helpful. You can do this in person or even go to college for a degree. But of course, this isn’t possible for everyone. And luckily, there are so many great resources for this online too. Skillshare or Schoolism are great places to get started if you’re looking for quality lessons.

4- Practice consistently.

In my opinion, practicing consistently is the best way to improve your art skills. The best way to learn anything is to just do it. Creating something on a regular basis (even daily) will allow you to challenge yourself, grow your creativity, and improve any skills that need improving. We all get better with practice!

5- Work on defining your style.

Finding your own art style is one of the most challenging things when it comes to creating. But once you figure it out, it will make creating any kind of art so much easier! So explore and discover which style is for you – whether it’s cartoonish, realistic, abstract, or whatever. Then seek out other artists with a similar style to find inspiration.

6- Study on your own.

If you can’t afford a course or learning that way just isn’t your jam, don’t be afraid to learn on your own. There are an infinite number of resources out there to help you improve your art skills! Here are some ideas to get you started:

art channels on YouTube
books about art
art blogs or websites

7- Connect with other artists.

Connecting with other artists is a great way to find inspiration and learn from other people with different styles and experiences. There are several ways to join an art community. You can check out Reddit, and Facebook groups, or simply start an art account on Instagram or Deviantart.

8- Invest in better quality materials.

I’ve noticed that sometimes it’s okay to go for less expensive materials. But on the other hand, when it comes to certain materials, you get what you pay for. It’s okay to explore different products and see what works for you. But if you notice that a less expensive item just isn’t working for you, you should consider investing in a higher quality item!

9- Ask for feedback.

Asking for feedback is a free, simple, and enlightening way to improve your art skills! You can post your art on social media or send it to a family member/friend about what they think you do well and what you need to work on. Getting an objective, new perspective on your work is valuable.

10- Take your time.

I feel like my biggest struggle when it comes to improving my art is that I can get impatient sometimes. I don’t know why, but I struggle with understanding that sometimes it can take hours to create a piece of artwork, and that’s okay. There are no rules, there is no time limit. So remember that you should take your time and develop the best piece of work you can!