How to Improve Your Art Skills

Improving your art skills takes passion and dedication. Whether you want to be a professional artist or just get really good at a new hobby, you can create thoughtful, highly-skilled art with a little patience and lots of practice. You’ll need to develop a daily routine to practice and have an open mind about taking on new skills and experimenting with old ones. Training your eyes to see the world like an artist will also help you create realistic pieces or work with light, shadows, and composition in a novel, creative way. Art is supposed to be unique, so have fun and don’t shy away from breaking the rules!

1. Learning New Techniques

Watch free online tutorials to learn techniques like blending or shading. If you want to learn how to make particular colors or create realistic-looking shading and shadows, consider watching some free online tutorials. Have your sketchpad and supplies handy so you can pause the video and practice as the instructor breaks it down.

Peruse the comment section on videos because it’s likely that other artists have left some tips and suggestions.

Search for tutorials in any particular technique you want to learn. For instance, you might find some good lessons on composition, working with light, cubism, surrealism, or even creating 3-D effects. If you can think of it, the internet probably has it!

2. Take private lessons or join an art class focused on particular skills.

If you’re a beginner, look to local community centers and libraries for beginning art courses. If you already have some intermediate or advanced skills, you might consider enrolling in a class offered at a local college or art institute.

Taking classes is a great way to meet other artists and get some constructive criticism.

3. Use instruction books if you’re a beginner or learning a specific skill.

Workbooks are a great way to start if you’re a beginner or looking to pick up a very specific skill like figure drawing or cartooning. This is a great option if you have a busy schedule because you can tackle each lesson at your own pace.

You can buy instruction books online or at most large bookstores.

If you rent an instruction book from your local library, don’t draw in the book! Photocopy the practice pages so you can draw on those instead.

If you’re a beginner, look for instruction books that have traceable practice sheets so you can get a feel for it before practicing on a canvas or sketchpad.

Beware of the "paint or draw by number" format—it can help if you’re an absolute beginner, but it may also hinder your individual style. Great artists are unique!