How to study art
All the beautiful responses I got
The other day I shared this note, where I asked how one studies art, because I felt a little lost in my process and want to start taking art more seriously. (And if you have questions for one of the authors of the comments you can dive into the conversation there 😉)
I had hoped for a few responses, but did not expect for my note to take of as much as it did. And because I find all those answers so helpful and thought-provoking, and find it very annoying, that I can’t save notes, I decided to put it all in a post, that everyone can safe for future reference.
Maybe it helps a few more people! All those answers are a lot of input, so I highly recommend saving the post to come back to it when inspiration is needed. I, for one, most certainly will.
To keep it simple, I will always link the person who commented it and then copy their text. So you can also go and discover new profiles.
Without further ado: here we go.
Pratiquer, pratiquer, pratiquer.
Copier les maîtres : imiter leur coup de pinceau, comprendre leurs choix de couleurs, de composition, de matériaux, en essayant de les reproduire.
Discuter avec des artistes de tout niveau pour partager les retours d’expérience.
Pratiquer, pratiquer, pratiquer.
I Create a syllabus for art or whatever I’m learning including the videos, pdfs, flash cards, resources and so much.
Also, my commonplace notebooks are my besties.
It can feel so daunting!
But the advice I would give to anyone starting is to keep a sketchbook habit as this is where you can play and practice. Draw and paint as regularly as you can. Even if this is just two hours a week, the consistency will pay off. Don’t feel you have to use fancy materials, just a pencil and a basic set of paints will do to start with. If you’re struggling for inspiration, head to an art gallery, find the art that speaks to you and sketch this. Each time you sketch, question WHY you’re inspired by that particular piece of art. Questioning and reflecting on this is important, the answers will help guide your path as an artist. Copying techniques of the masters is fine to start with, then make it your own through playful experimentation. This is where the magic happens and your voice as an artist will emerge. ✨
I hope that helps!
If you need help and support in your journey, there are lots of excellent artists on Substack who share their skills, host a community space and offer courses, workshops and retreats. I’ll tag some below. You’re also welcome to join me in The Creative Flock!
Adding some excellent artists here for you to follow:
…
..To name but a few! All the best Paula, wishing you a creative year ahead!
as a (kinda) musician, I just spent years practicing and perfecting covers till at one point I was writing my own songs
you just copy until you can make your own, the way to study the masters is to imitate them
something that helped me a lot was “thoughtful copying” in the sense that I saw the skills/techniques a song(s) used and practiced it consciously as a technique that I could apply to other and my own songs, this is because it is much easier for me to practice songs (fun!) than plain technique (boring!) but I do not know how well that translates to your art forms
I stopped getting frustrated by loving the process and not caring about the result, if its good great but if its not I had fun working on it
Be sure to not overlook the imaginative, process driven side of art making. When I first started out I got very hung up on the technical aspects of art making until I eventually realized that reconstructing reality in my art making was the least interesting or fulfilling aspect of having a creative practice.
Personally I found it helpful to become familiar with art history to some extent and become more attuned to what kinds of art inspired me the most. I think art making is more immersive and interesting when you get into the ideas behind different art movements and figure out where to orient yourself within different art movements.
Otherwise, you may just find yourself dutifully copying and reproducing images which you may find dull and uninteresting.
As far as the more technical side, I really enjoyed collecting textbooks on drawing..some on more precise technical techniques, others more experimental.
My biggest piece of advice would be to start a library of books on artists, art history, color theory, drawing….books are always great to have around when you feel stuck :)
I recommend copying references and playing around with the material and motives.
Let's say you plan on painting a big canvas with a garden. Maybe use a sketchbook or a tiny canvas to copy real flowers, grass and trees. Just so that you “studied it a little bit” before actually using your knowledge….
I had this same question a few months ago. What’s working well for me is choosing one artist or art style per month that interest me then reading about it in physical books and online. I also look up whether one of the museums in my area has a piece of that artist work then I go see it. To really take it in. I take lots notes in my journal. Then I write an essay on here about what I learned. This all helps me retain what I am learning. So far so good. It’s working cuz today at the museum I recognized an artist I’d been studying art immediately upon sight.
It’s not so much “studying art” it’s consistently playing with art and building up your creative confidence. Get a sketchbook and practice. Find a mentor or artist you admire and see if they offer a course or share their process so you can observe. I have challenged myself to practice drawing faces more - so every week I dive into my sketchbook and create. It has really helped - I post them on here if you want to take a look! 😊
YouTube has some ppl who really explain well how to paint. Turns out it’s a molding process, starting with blocks of color and slowly carving away at it with other colors as you give it more detail. I’ll watch them and practice along on my iPad. I’m surprised how much that knowledge helped train my mind and eye.
You’re halfway through, so here is a picture of a collage I did for my bullet journal:
Roughly translated the text on the left says top to bottom: “make space for your wishes”, “relish in joy” and “find stillness”.
This has been a conversation of the day! Who is it that would still like to do ‘the work’ I order to come to their art at a higher level. It is so nice to hear this question, isn’t it
Rogue Art Historian? This is the discussion we have been having.
There are a few books considered Primers of fine art used over the years as a launch point. Have you gone through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameronyet? Just trying to establish at what level you are working.
(Me: I’ve heard of it but never done it)
Well then you are in for a treat! If you are intent to grow in the present as an artist, start there. Most any course of art education private or public agrees it is the touchstone of being one with your art. It has just been reissued and courses are still taught using it.
Loooong before YouTube, or the internet, I watched how to paint programs on PBS. There were many other than Bob Ross. He had a particular teqniuque,but I knew I wanted more. So I found them, watched them like a hawk for years. There is also a degree of curiosity in me that caused me to NEED to figure out just how something was created; whether it be the position of the sun, or the implied sun etc. Fast forward, I am an independent artist, have been for 30 years making my way with my art sales.
Take a class online or in person. Many of them are geared for beginners and accomplished artists alike. They can be pricey though. You can also watch YouTube videos that teach the kind of art you’re interested in. The most important part of learning though is to dive in and try some of those things you see in videos or in person.
Practicing, studying/learning techniques from artists, mentorship or apprenticeship under a more experienced artist, looking at art and a lot of it.
Personally what’s helped me the most is attending workshops and Domestika courses where they teach you the actual skill. I like recordings cause then I can pause and rewind to observe things like how they hold a paintbrush or mix the paint. Hope that helps and good luck!
there is a difference between those who have degrees in art and study per se. I traveled a lot in college taking art history classes and lit. People can see some of this in my art.
I’ve used stencils some so much that I can draw some but I can’t really draw
As a mixed media artist I study more what I can mix with my art etc
Which type of paint? Bob Ross is the gateway for many oil painters 😂😂😂
but I suppose the best advice I could share is that skills are tactile and hands on. You have to get in there and do it over and over again until you learn from all the fun mistakes.
I prefer to watch video tutorials and practice along with the videos. If you follow along with Bob Ross videos (just keep pausing the video as needed) it’s relaxing and fun. Theres also some great online (or local in person) courses to walk through the basics. Or just YouTube some videos and try what they’re doing!
Drawing is the basis for ALL art. Drawing is about seeing. Visual skills. Take drawing lessons.
Copying is an be a trap. You may set yourself up for failure because you want to have similar results without knowledge.
I just draw 😁
To be honest - as someone who went to art school- this is a tricky slope because so much of the technical and ‘right’ methods or techniques of an art craft is SO subjective. I’d maybe focus on styles YOU gravitate toward and want to learn or improve upon and then study/observe/research artists whom are in that realm, too. I find I always turn away from traditional art skills similar to how I was taught in school because it drove me nuts how so many artists (and teachers!!) get gatekeepy or elitist about styles… trust yourself and your own style and its evolution!!
Copy the works are sketches of masters that you love! Davinci, Matisse, etc. find out what works about this works and what techniques you like. Then make something of your own or copy an artwork in your own style.
I can share how I approached it as a recently emerging photographic artist.
For me, it was important for something to emerge from within as opposed to copying or mimicking something external. Thus, I simply started exploring with my camera and lens on location. I read a little technical stuff along the way but spent more time with the artistic skills on location.
Within 6 months, expressionist photography rose to the surface and that really resonated. I’ve taken over 100k images since then so now the movement I employ during exposure is very natural to me.
Only recently as part of classes aimed at identifying who and what I am as an artist, I started researching art forms to understand where I may fit in so that I could tell others what I create.
It sounds like from your other comments above you are already doing this but I would start by seeing what art organically arises for within before studying too much about what others have done in the past.
I just think art should start from a completely organic and intrinsic place. My personal sense is that those that try to force it from an external influence are the ones that end up very frustrated.
Once you think you’ve “found your art” then you can start to look back to see where you fall under styles and history and then start to identify opportunities for showing / sharing.
At this point, you can start to think about whether it remains a personal passion or if you want to pursue “professional” opportunities but if it is truly your art, it won’t matter which route you choose.
If you need some basic introductions, I’ve found that thought.com has a wide collection of simply articles. Just search on the term you are seeking to find it. Then you can deeper on any of the topics. I purchased Andrè Breton’s Manifestoes of Surrealism based off their article on surrealism.
I study songwriting which I perceive as art and not a craft (different from what some people think, especially those who believe that there is the ‘best song of the year)
Anyway… I’ve just completed an MA in Songwriting and what I liked about it is the frameworks you learn, the ways and processes you get access to and test on your own art.
And then how to critique your art based on your intention.
And if you are like me and work with both intentionality and unintentionality, explore the intricate results of that.
I see ‘studying’ art as a way to practice, explore, understand what you as an artist like.
I don’t know about pairing much but I thought I’d share some of my experience.
I believe it’s about moving away right And wrong, stepping into exploration of what feels authentic now
As an art historian who has been studying art since 6th grade (yes, that's when I knew what I wanted to be), I approach it by exploring its historical, cultural, and philosophical context alongside technical analysis. Understanding the time period, societal influences, and the artist’s background is crucial. It’s about connecting movements, styles, and ideas to see how art reflects and critiques its world.
For someone without formal training, start by studying major art movements and key figures. Dive into the lives and works of artists like Caravaggio or Van Gogh to understand the "why" behind their techniques and symbolism. Observe art critically, analyze it deeply, and think about how your own work connects to these traditions.
Art isn’t just about creating; it’s about engaging with the broader cultural conversation. By blending history with your practice, you’ll find deeper meaning in both studying and making art.
Look
See
Look
See
Look again
And look some more
I’ve watched soo many YouTube videos for tips to help with specific art techniques which has been incredibly helpful. Also lots of artists have IG accounts and will post reels of their techniques. I’ve learned an immense about of knowledge just from lurking on their accounts lol.
well..
I just stare at an art piece that i really liked until something clicks.
This is my type of study, highly recommended <333
I’ve read quite a bit on art but for me there is nothing like constant (daily) practice. So to make life easy for myself I’ve signed up for some online course that cover a range of styles and skills. The drop a class every week.
I join challenges usually on instagram that have a theme (just about to redo an abstract 30 day challenge.) Or collage; or general sketching. Anything to keep your hand and eye and personal aesthetic developed.
There’s the Room Portrait club: weekly Mug drawing challenge on Instagram - pretty well a challenge for whatever you want to draw.
Also dump any negative self criticism- if you have it- accept mistakes as a way forward.
Good luck!
That’s a lot of input - thus I think saving the list to get back to might not be the worst idea. 😁 Feel free to share what worked and didn’t work in the comments, I’m curious to hear what your experiences are.
This is so great!!!
Great to read this - I can look and see if anything will help me with my art practice. Thank you