A friend once asked, “Is drawing something that can be learned?”
I answered, “Yes, of course.” But I’m not quite sure to what extent can non-artists learn about arts. I know a number of people are eager to learn how to draw or paint. A more relevant question is, HOW?

There are steps, people can take to learn the basics of visual arts despite having no ‘technical’ skills. Creativity, after all, is another matter to discuss. What every person needs to understand about visual art is that it takes practice and exploration. Do you think art blogs are just made for other artists? Learning is for everyone!

Try the following ways to keep your interest and discover your own artistic spirit.

1. Focus on what you can do.

Let me ask you a question. “Do you want to learn something about arts to impress others?” Well, I think you’re missing the point.

Your learning is not defined by comparing your artworks with those famous artists. Vincent Van Gogh and other impressionist painters create colorful and unconventional paintings far different from real-life paintings of Raphael and Michaelangelo. Be real and find yourself.

I know a co-worker before who loves anime and drawing anime characters. She said it’s her art and this is how she expresses herself. She finds this more than just a hobby. For her, this is her avenue to give herself a time to refresh. Her attitude of not giving a place for a comparison of herself to others and her passion allow her to be an artist of her own.

2. Start with Abstract Paintings.

Perhaps, you’re one of those people who says, ‘I just can do that painting!’ on abstract painting. Well, the good news is, you can actually start by making your own abstract!
In fact, this style is a good way to start your art journey. Don’t be afraid of drawing circles, squares or any shape you want to put on a piece of paper or canvas. Express yourself through your own lines and patterns. Chose your favorite color and mix things up. Abstract paintings can teach you basic color blending, simple designs and your own sense of creativity.

3. Choose few colors to combine

Have you remembered the primary colors? Blue, red and yellow. Everything starts at the basic. You don’t have to make things complicated. Discover simple color combinations. Just like mixing some paints in blue and yellow to come up with your desired color green. Pay attention to how you make the combination, from darker to light.

In fact, you don’t need too much color combination in painting a scene just like a sunset. This is one of my favorite pictures. A majestic sunset only requires a reddish part, dominant yellow shades and a little shade of black and white to set a similar scenario with the sunset.

4. Create your Still Life Drawings.

Here’s a more realistic one. Are you fond of taking pictures? Sit down. Find an angle of a typical flower vase on your table. Try to observe the shapes of the objects. Look at the distances between things. Which view are you looking at? Pay attention to the basic shapes that make up the object and try to identify the colors you can see.

Don’t bother yourself. Start your still life by drawing simple things like a glass, a cup or a simple box. From this point start practicing. Remember, don’t rush things so you can visualize the elements of a certain object. Patience is a virtue!

5. Draw your favorite Cartoon Character

If you love watching animated movies, this one is for you. Unlike real-life drawings, cartoons are quite easier to draw with basic lines and shapes to consider with simple details and you can have your own artwork. Pick up your paper and pencil and start sketching your favorite cartoon character from head to foot or wherever you want to start.

6. Venture on Mixed Art Media

A ‘collage’ or a scrapbook with various cut pictures, colored papers, with written words and designs, might be familiar to you. There are no specific rules to follow. Just stick on your creativity and make different things unite in one set of images or designs.

7. Be like Van Gogh

Van Gogh, an impressionist painter seems to love painting his own face. Yeah, you can do the same thing. Make your own self-portrait. Express yourself through your own image and see how your work reflects you. This is one of the most interesting you can do, whether you are an artist or not.

8. Choose your own Medium

You don’t have to force yourself and kill your creativity in just one or two medium. Exploring other media is the best thing to do. Maybe you’re not into painting and drawing but you’re good at other crafts like origami and pottery. Some people are so good at designs and calligraphy. I know many people who have found their passion for photography and video-making. This time, it’s all about finding your inner self and start creating things you really want to do.

So, have you decided what to do next? Find your place in making arts and create something you can call your own artwork.