So your goal is Becoming an Artist. But you have no idea how to begin. And you need a bit, or a lot, of encouragement.
First, what should you make? A drawing, a painting, a sculpture (wow, I’m impressed by your ambition), or something else completely. Actually, what is art? Is it a banana taped to a wall (that sold for millions to a tech bro recently)? According to this book, art is what you create. You don’t have to sell it, put it in a gallery, or really even display it. It is just what you create. What you bring into the world. What you call art yourself. Your dinner plate of food can be art if you want it to be.
Next, how to begin. The author suggests drawing the real life around you. Take photos to draw from if that life is moving fast. Drawing objects from your imagination is the next stage—not the first. Though of course if you already have original art, that’s art too. But expand your horizons beyond what you like to draw and draw literally everything to increase your skill level. The author also encourages artists (that’s you!) to spend one hour a day drawing something. Every day. Even if it takes a hundred drawings to get one good one. In fact, don’t even worry about creating “good art”. Just start creating something.
I love this book. I was much happier creating (what I realized was mostly bad art later) rather than just thinking about what would be the perfect artist creation. That is the author’s point too (along with Nike), just do it. And use whatever tool you need. Tracing, using rulers or photos, and mixing media are all fine. Do what you need to do. Becoming an Artist not only encourages, it also empowers the artist within you to jump out and create something new. 5 stars and a favorite! This is a book everyone should read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hay House for providing me with an advanced review copy.