Starting late as an artist...
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
Philippines
January 28, 2013 11:51pm CST
My father is an artist. My uncle is a painter. Two of my uncles are photographers. So you can see, art is in my blood.
My father discouraged me to get fine arts during college. And so I took up a course that he thinks would get me a license to become a professional. So I took a course that is pre-law and pre-medical. However, I learned I fear blood. I excelled in law but it's not really my interest. The good thing about it is that I learn to love my course as a industrial psychologist and I reached the peak of my career as an HR specialist. I became a Corporate HR and now an HR Consultant.
After 17 years of working in these field, I found an opportunity to return to my first love. And I'm glad that I still have it... the skill to draw and create passable artworks.
My concern though is that I don't know how I can improve my skills. I want to get back to schooling but my work and time availability will not permit it. I watch videos and read materials and somehow I learn a little from it.
What do you think I should do to pave my way to become a good artist?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@heaytheblogger (2876)
• Philippines
2 Feb 13
Every artists has its own innate calling although you are away from your passion for quite a while, still there are some things that you really can’t get rid of your life. most especially your passion on art.
Just find ways and means, to hone more your knowledge and your craft on that art you are working on.
It’s also good taking risks in a way that you are balancing new and old techniques in such art so that you can balance both old and new audience on your craft.
Moreover, collaborating with new artists and independent art enthusiasts can help you know more about the latest art take in today’s stream of art world, this will help you create a piece that is both modern and has a distinct characteristics as that art you are used of doing.
Good luck.
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
5 Feb 13
Wow! That's very good recommendations you give there heaytheblogger. I believe many would benefit from your suggestions.
As a way of at least taking time to improve my skill, I always bring with me my drawing pad whenever I travel to far places just like now. I see to it that during the evening, I get to do some sketches. What I really long for is to spend long hours on my sit/stool at home, facing my canvass and finish some paintings, which I have long started but was not able to put the final touches.
Collaborating with independent are enthusiast would be really a great challenge for me. One, I don't have the confidence to seek their precious time. Two, most of the time I am out of my town. If in case I'm at our home, I usually spend it doing some paintings. Three, I still have to build my portfolio. But I know, if there's a will there's a way. In the end, it is still my decision.
I guess I would have to look for other venues to get comments on my work and to find ways on learning much on this field. I would scour the web for the meantime and prepare (financially) for my early retirement to have a focus on it.
Wish me luck and thanks for your reply.
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
7 Feb 13
Thanks for the assurance and vote of confidence.
See you around. Have a great day!
@heaytheblogger (2876)
• Philippines
5 Feb 13
Building insipiration from places you are going is a good take also! i like the idea of that drawing pad. it gives you a free hand on such art.
Thanks for your response! yes, good luck to your craft!
@Arweena (7)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
29 Jan 13
I think it's never too late to pursue your dreams and passions in life as long as you have the will and determination to do it.
You don't necessarily have to go back to school to become a better artist, there are lots of tutorials on the internet that you can learn from and practice. I, myself am not good at drawing but I love to draw and most of my friends who know how to draw and consider themselves artists tell me all it takes is practice.
So if you can find an hour or two every day to practice your artistic skills, you should start to see improvements pretty soon. Don't give up, if that is what truly make you happy. You only have one life to live so make the best of it.
@sarahworksathome (53)
• United States
29 Jan 13
Absolutely wonderful advice. I am starting out late myself and I just try to spend a few hours a day appreciating art, learning new techniques and have found scouring youtube for tutorial videos a great tool.
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
30 Jan 13
Hello Arwena. Thanks for your inspiring advise. I do bring along with me a drawing notebook, pencils and oil pastel to practice from time to time even while traveling as a consultant. As I've mentioned, I do scour the internet for some useful materials as well. Maybe I am just being impatient and wanted to speed my learning up since I've lost a lot of time already. But it's good that I also get the support of my friends. Just last night, I met an old friend whom I haven't seen for almost 8 years. She too encouraged me to go on with it and pursue it. Thanks for the good words.
Hi sarahworkathome. It's nice to see that you are also on the same journey as to what I am experiencing right now. Maybe we can exchange some pointers here from time to time.
Best regards to both of you. Have a nice day.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
29 Jan 13
like any skill, practice makes you better (not perfect) so that is what i think you should do, is practice and work on your skill and don't worry about what others say. i think you are off to a good start by reading and studying the type of art you want to create as well.
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
30 Jan 13
Thanks cher913.
I'll do that. I will try to get at least an hour to practice and will try to share my works so people here can comment on it and give me constructive criticism. I'm not yet confident to show much of it though since I don't see it as beautiful as I want it to be. But I understand that I have to get some critics or comments for my works so I can also gauge if I'm doing a good job.
Have a nice day!
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
30 Jan 13
Thanks julyteen.
It would really be hard for me to continue studying at school. I guess I'll have to exert extra effort to learn on my own. Focus would help and do some research so I will improve in this line.
Wish me luck!
@gamarays12 (85)
• Philippines
30 Jan 13
I understand where youre coming from. Arts, too is my first love but I was also not encouraged to take Fine Arts. I love to draw and I believe practice makes perfect. At first you can choose the base that you want to use in your work of art. I usually use pencil and brush to draw portraits of people but I've tried using charcoal before but its kind of expensive. Maybe you can focus on one base first and keep practicing. Don't ever give up on your passion!
@snowhybiscuis (1882)
• Philippines
30 Jan 13
Thank you gamarays12.
Right now I find pencils and oil paint as my fav mediums. Will try to my best to have much practice on it so as to improve my skill.
Best regards and have a nice day.
