September is just around the corner and, despite weeks of doodling and procrastinating, education is firmly back on the calendar.
Universities all over the UK might be preparing themselves for a raft of energetic young faces to come through their doors, but are the next generation of artists ready for the artistic challenges that they face?
We’ve compiled a list of our top tips for young creatives as they head to the next stage of their artistic adventure.
Cheap materials will give substandard results
The adage that ‘an artist is only as good as their materials’ is true.
Often, cheaper pencils are full of fillers and binders that make it difficult to get a vibrant colour or smooth blending that premium art materials can achieve with ease.
You’ll quickly fall out of love with art if you can’t see a solid improvement or achieve the results you want to achieve and often, it’s not the artist, it’s the pencils!
Investigating in good quality pencils can make an impactful difference.
Browse our Gifts selection to find the Professional Quality and Academy products to suit you here.
Or try our Collection Tins here for a taster of our pencil ranges.
Draw every day
Art, like any hobby, is full of intricacies and skills that will be developed over years; some artists are in their late seventies and still discover new techniques daily.
Would you expect to be able to play a guitar solo by only picking up your instrument once a week? Would you expect to be able to bake a Bake-Off quality cake by only turning on your oven every couple of months?
Of course not – by picking up your pencils every day, even for something as simple as a speed drawing, you’ll see gradual improvement and discover techniques.
Visit our Academy Gifts page to view project ideas suitable for use with our Academy ranges.
Don’t keep drawing the same things
The view from outside your window might be fantastic, but every piece of art you create should be both enjoyable and testing.
Keep mixing up what you’re basing your individual pieces on, change textures and shapes, experiment with different materials and be creative.
You’ll only really find your true style if you practice and explore ALL types of artwork.
Don’t let anyone tell you what style you should work to, but always be open to criticism
Remember, that your style of art is unique to you. You shouldn’t be pushed away from your expression, just because someone doesn’t like it.
That isn’t to say however, that you shouldn’t take criticism. Always be open to new ideas, new ways of working and people’s opinions on your composition – it may even open your eyes up to a new opportunity!
Pick up inspiration as you go
We’re sure that, as a student, you’ll be heading out on some whirlwind adventures. Every adventure is an opportunity too.
Not only should you take your pencils out with you on the road for some ‘urban sketching’, make sure you pick up leaflets and foliage, take photos of buildings that inspire you and pop them in your sketchbook.
Why not pick up a Sketch and Store to safely care items with you?
You’re just starting out on your journey…
For you, the journey has just begun. Don’t expect to be a fully formed artist straight away.
John Constable was 45 when he completed The Haywain.
Pablo Picasso was 56 when he completed The Weeping Woman.
Claude Monet was 59 when he painted The Water Lily Pond.
Your journey is only just getting started.
Visit our website today to view more of our products or view our ‘Inspiration’ section for more ideas on practising and expanding your artistic techniques. Good luck!