Artist Tips & Advice

Practical Advice for Developing Your Creative Skills

Becoming better at art isn't about finding one perfect technique, buying the most expensive supplies or producing a perfect drawing every time.

It comes from practice, observation, experimentation and learning from the work you create.

Some days you'll produce something you're proud of. Other days the result won't look anything like you imagined. Both experiences are part of learning.

Our Artist Tips & Advice guide brings together practical ideas for artists, students, hobbyists, teachers, parents and anyone who wants to become more confident with drawing, painting, illustration or crafts.

Start Before You Feel Ready

One of the easiest ways to delay improving is to keep waiting until you're "good enough" to start.

You don't need to know everything before beginning.
Start with something manageable.
Draw an object.
Paint a small canvas.
Try a new brush.
Make a paper project.
Experiment with colour.
The first attempt doesn't need to be the final result.
The objective is to learn what happens when you try.

Practise With a Purpose

Simply spending hours making marks doesn't always lead to efficient improvement.

Give each practice session a specific objective.

For example:

Today I'm practising proportions.

Or:

Today I'm learning how to mix skin tones.

Or:

Today I'm practising perspective.

Or:

Today I'm experimenting with acrylic texture.

A focused exercise gives you something specific to observe and improve.

Don't Try to Improve Everything at Once

Art involves many different skills.

Trying to improve all of them simultaneously can become frustrating.

Break them down.

Drawing

Line → Shape → Form → Proportion → Value → Perspective

Painting

Colour → Brushwork → Layering → Value → Composition → Texture

Illustration

Concept → Composition → Character → Line → Colour → Rendering

Work on one area at a time, then gradually combine them.

Keep a Sketchbook

A sketchbook is more than a place for finished drawings.

Use it for:

Rough ideas
Quick studies
Failed attempts
Colour tests
Composition ideas
Notes
Observations
Material experiments

Don't feel obligated to make every page attractive. A working sketchbook should show your thinking.

Draw What You Actually See

When drawing from observation, avoid relying entirely on symbols.

For example, you may have a mental idea of what an eye, tree or chair looks like.

But the actual subject in front of you may have completely different proportions, angles and lighting.

Look carefully.

Compare.

Measure relationships.

Then draw.

Observation is one of the most transferable skills an artist can develop.

Use References Properly

Reference images can help you understand:

Anatomy
Clothing
Architecture
Animals
Lighting
Environments
Colour
Perspective
Texture

Use references to study and understand, not simply to copy without thinking.

Ask yourself:

What am I learning from this reference?

That question turns a reference image into a learning resource.

Try Drawing From Life

Photographs are useful, but drawing from real objects provides a different kind of observation practice.

Place an object in front of you.

Study:

Its dimensions
Its position
Its shadows
Its texture
Its relationship with nearby objects

Then draw it.

Even a simple cup can become a useful exercise in proportion, perspective and shading.

Take Photographs of Your Own References

You don't always need to search for a reference.

Build your own reference library.

Photograph:

Interesting buildings
Trees
Objects
Textures
Streets
Clothing
Natural forms
Shadows
Interesting colour combinations

Your own photographs give you references that are personal to your surroundings and experiences.

Learn to See Light

Light has a major effect on how an object appears.

When studying a subject, identify:

Light source

Where is the light coming from?

Highlights

Which areas receive the strongest light?

Mid-tones

Which areas sit between light and shadow?

Core shadows

Where does the form turn away from the light?

Cast shadows

Where does the object block the light?
Understanding these relationships can make drawings and paintings feel considerably more three-dimensional.

Don't Be Afraid of Dark Values

Beginners sometimes keep their artwork too light because they are afraid of making mistakes.

But strong value contrast can help establish depth.
Instead of immediately making everything dark, build values gradually.
Compare the darkest area with the lightest area.
Then determine where the middle values belong.

Learn Colour Relationships

You don't need hundreds of colours to create interesting artwork.

Learn how colours interact.

Understand:

Primary Colours

Red, yellow and blue in traditional colour models.

Secondary Colours

Colours produced by combining primary colours.

Complementary Colours

Opposing colours that can create strong contrast.

Warm Colours

Often associated with reds, oranges and yellows.

Cool Colours

Often associated with blues, greens and related hues.
The exact appearance of a colour also depends on the colours surrounding it.

Make Your Own Colour Charts

Instead of relying entirely on colour names, test your actual paints.

Create samples showing:

Full-strength colour
Diluted colour
Mixed colours
Light and dark variations
Complementary combinations
Label everything.

This becomes a useful reference whenever you're working on a new painting.

Understand Your Materials

Spend time learning how your materials behave.

For example:

How quickly does your paint dry?
How much water can your paper handle?
How much pressure can your pencil take?
How does your brush behave when loaded with paint?
How does your marker interact with your paper?

The better you understand your materials, the more deliberately you can use them.

Don't Blame the Material Too Quickly

If a technique isn't working, the problem isn't always the product.

Consider:

Surface preparation
Application technique
Tool selection
Paint consistency
Pressure
Drying time
Layering
Environmental conditions

Experiment before deciding that a material isn't suitable.

Use the Right Tool for the Job

A large brush isn't automatically better.

A small brush isn't automatically better.

A harder pencil isn't automatically better.

A softer pencil isn't automatically better.

The right tool depends on the task.

Think:

What mark do I need?

Then choose the tool that can produce it.

Keep Your Brushes Clean

Brush care is one of the simplest ways to protect your investment in painting materials.

Don't allow paint to remain in the bristles unnecessarily.

Clean brushes after use.

Reshape them.

Store them properly.

A well-maintained brush is easier to control and can remain useful for much longer.

Work From Large to Small

One of the most useful general principles in drawing and painting is:

Large → Medium → Small

Start with the overall composition.

Then establish the major shapes.

Then develop medium-level forms.

Finally, add small details.

If you start with tiny details too early, you may spend considerable time refining something that later needs to be moved or repainted.

Step Back From Your Artwork

When working close to a drawing or painting for a long time, it becomes difficult to judge the whole image.

Take regular breaks.

Step back.

Look at the artwork from a distance.

You may notice:

Uneven composition
Incorrect proportions
Weak contrast
Distracting details
Areas that need more attention

Distance gives you a different view of the work.

Turn Your Artwork Upside Down

This is a simple way to temporarily stop reading the subject as an object.

When the artwork is upside down, you may notice:

Proportion problems
Uneven shapes
Incorrect angles
Composition issues

You're looking at the relationships between shapes rather than relying on recognition.

Flip Your Artwork

If possible, look at your work in a mirror or digitally flip the image horizontally.

Problems that seemed invisible while working may suddenly become obvious.

This can be particularly useful for:

Portraits
Faces
Figures
Illustrations
Symmetrical compositions

Take Breaks

Long sessions aren't always productive.

Your attention can deteriorate when you stare at the same artwork for too long.

Take short breaks.

Return with fresh eyes.

You may see the artwork differently after stepping away.

Don't Overwork the Artwork

There is a point where additional work stops improving the piece.

You may notice:

Colours becoming muddy
Details competing with the subject
Overworked surfaces
Loss of freshness
Unnecessary additions

Learn to recognise when the artwork is already communicating what you intended.

Sometimes the best next step is to stop.

Learn From Your Mistakes

Instead of simply thinking:

"This drawing didn't work."

Ask:

Why?

Was it:

Proportion?
Perspective?
Value?
Colour?
Composition?
Technique?
Material?
Planning?

Identifying the specific problem makes the next attempt more useful.

Keep Your Old Work

Don't throw everything away.

Keep selected drawings and paintings.

Date them.

After several months, compare them with your recent work.

You may notice improvements in areas you hadn't consciously recognised.

Your old work also provides a record of your creative development.

Don't Compare Your Beginning to Someone Else's Middle

Artists develop at different speeds.

Someone else's finished work may represent:

Years of practice
Formal training
Hundreds of studies
Professional experience
A particular specialty

Use other artists as sources of inspiration and learning rather than as a measurement of your own worth.

Ask:

What can I learn from this?

Study Artists You Admire

Don't only look at the finished artwork.

Study the decisions behind it.

Ask:

How is the composition arranged?
How is colour being used?
Where is the focal point?
How are edges handled?
How is light represented?
What materials might have been used?
What makes the style recognisable?

Analysing artwork can teach you much more than simply looking at it.

Experiment With Different Styles

Trying different approaches can help you discover what you enjoy.

Experiment with:

Realism
Loose painting
Abstract approaches
Graphic illustration
Cartooning
Minimalism
Decorative art
Mixed media

You don't need to permanently choose one style.

Your style can evolve.

Don't Chase Trends

Trends can be useful for discovering new ideas, but don't let them determine everything you create.

Explore what interests you.

Your personal interests, experiences and preferred ways of working can eventually become part of your artistic identity.

Build a Creative Routine

Consistency matters more than occasional long sessions.

You might practise:

15 minutes a day or One focused session several times a week.

The exact schedule matters less than having a realistic routine you can maintain.

A Simple Weekly Art Practice

Monday

Drawing exercises.

Tuesday

Colour study.

Wednesday

Material experiment.

Thursday

Observation drawing.

Friday

Personal project.

Weekend

Review, experiment or create something simply for enjoyment.
Adjust the routine around your schedule.

Work on Personal Projects

Exercises teach individual skills. Projects teach you how to combine those skills.

For example, a portrait project might require:

Observation

Proportion

Drawing

Value

Colour

Composition

This is where individual techniques start working together.

Give Yourself Creative Constraints

Constraints can actually encourage creativity.

Try:

One colour
Three colours
One brush
Ten minutes
One sheet of paper
Recycled materials only
No erasing
Only geometric shapes

The limitation forces you to find alternative solutions.

Teach What You Know

Explaining a technique to someone else can reveal whether you actually understand it.

Try explaining:

How to mix a colour
How to shade a sphere
How to construct a box in perspective
How to prepare a craft project

Teaching can expose gaps in your own understanding.

Get Feedback

Constructive feedback can help identify things you don't notice yourself.

When asking for feedback, be specific.

Instead of:

"Is this good?"

Ask:

"Does the composition feel balanced?"

"Does the lighting make sense?"

"Does the subject stand out?"

Specific questions produce more useful responses.

Don't Let One Bad Drawing Stop You

A poor result doesn't mean you've stopped improving.

Sometimes the purpose of a drawing is simply to discover what doesn't work.

Make another attempt.

Change one variable.

Compare the results.

Then repeat.

Improvement often happens through this cycle:

Attempt → Review → Adjust → Attempt Again

Choose Projects Slightly Above Your Current Level

If every project is extremely easy, you may not learn much.

If every project is far beyond your current ability, you may become frustrated.

Aim for something that requires you to learn one or two new skills.

That's a productive level of challenge.

Look After Your Creative Space

You don't need a professional studio.

A small, organised workspace can be enough.

Keep:

Frequently used tools accessible
Materials organised
Surfaces protected
Artwork safely stored
Cleaning supplies nearby

A workspace that is easy to use makes it easier to return to your creative work.

Know When to Replace Your Materials

Materials eventually wear out.

Look for signs such as:

Brushes

Damaged or permanently misshapen bristles.

Pencils

Repeated breakage or difficulty producing the intended point.

Paint

Changes in consistency, contamination or other signs that the material is no longer performing appropriately.

Paper

Moisture damage, excessive warping or deterioration.
Good maintenance can extend the useful life of many supplies, but replacement is sometimes necessary.

Buy Supplies With a Purpose

Before adding something to your collection, ask:

What project will I use this for?
What technique does it support?
Do I already own something similar?
Will I use it regularly?

This helps prevent your workspace from becoming filled with supplies you rarely use.

Make Creativity Accessible

You don't need an expensive studio.

A simple setup can be enough:

Paper
Pencil
Eraser
Sharpener
Basic colours
A few brushes
A suitable working surface

Start with what you have. Expand when your interests require it.

Keep Exploring

There is always another technique to learn.

Another material to test.
Another subject to draw.
Another colour combination to discover.

Use the other Learn resources on this site to develop individual skills, then apply them to your own projects.

Keep Creating

There is no single route to becoming a better artist. Some people learn through classes.

Others learn through books, tutorials, experimentation or simply making things repeatedly.

What matters is that you keep observing, practising and experimenting.

Don't wait for perfect conditions.
Use the materials available to you.
Start with a manageable project.
Learn from the result.
Then try again.

Your next piece doesn't have to be perfect. It just needs to be the next one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I improve my art skills?

Practise consistently and focus on specific skills such as observation, proportion, value, colour, perspective or composition. Review your work and use each attempt to identify what to improve next.

How often should I practise drawing?

There is no universal schedule. Short, consistent sessions can be more sustainable than occasional long sessions. Choose a routine you can realistically maintain.

How do I get better at painting?

Study colour, value, brush control, composition and the characteristics of your chosen medium. Combine focused exercises with complete painting projects.

Why does my artwork not look like my reference?

Check proportion, angles, value relationships and composition before focusing on small details. Small inaccuracies in the underlying structure can affect the entire result.

How do I develop my own art style?

Experiment with different subjects, materials, techniques and visual approaches. Over time, the choices you repeatedly make can contribute to a recognisable personal style.

Should I copy other artists to learn?

Studying other artists can be useful for understanding composition, colour, technique and visual decisions. Use studies as learning exercises and develop your own work rather than presenting another artist's work as your own.

How do I know when a painting is finished?

Step back and evaluate the overall composition, values, colour and focal point. If additional details aren't improving the work, it may be time to stop.

What should I do when I dislike my artwork?

Identify the specific problem rather than judging the entire piece. Determine whether the issue is proportion, colour, composition, value or technique, then use that observation to guide your next attempt.

Do I need expensive art supplies to improve?

No. Understanding and practising fundamental skills is more important than owning a large collection of expensive materials.

How do I choose an art project?

Choose something slightly beyond your current ability so that the project introduces one or two new skills without becoming unnecessarily difficult.

How can I stay motivated to create?

Set realistic creative goals, keep a sketchbook, work on personal projects and vary your exercises. Don't make every session about producing a finished masterpiece.

How can I get useful feedback?

Ask specific questions about composition, colour, proportions, lighting or another aspect of the work. Specific questions generally produce more actionable feedback than simply asking whether the artwork is good.