This article was co-authored by Kelly Medford and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Kelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. She studied classical painting, drawing and printmaking both in the U.S. and in Italy. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. She founded Sketching Rome Tours in 2012 where she teaches sketchbook journaling to visitors of Rome. Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art.
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Many artists around the world emphasize the importance of art fundamentals. Think of these skills like your foundation: once you learn them, you can build off of them and branch out to new areas in your artwork.[1] Whether you’ve been an artist for years or you’re just starting out, spend some time learning the fundamentals to improve your skills and hone your talent.
Steps
What are the basic fundamentals of art?
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1Form and anatomy help make things look realistic. Learning about form and volume will make your artwork look 3D. You can add shadows and highlights to give your piece depth while staying (mostly) true to what it looks like in real life.[2]
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2Color and lighting gives depth and realism to your pieces. Picking the right colors will help your piece look more comprehensive overall. Similarly, if you place highlights in the right spots, you can give your piece life and make it more realistic looking.[3]Advertisement
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How can I learn art on my own?
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1Look up tutorials online. YouTube has a ton of videos by artists about art fundamentals that you can watch. Try looking up “Art fundamentals,” “Drawing techniques,” or “Painting techniques” to get started.[7]
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2Read books about art. Many famous artists publish books about their work to explain their process. Try perusing the art section at your local bookstore or library, or pick out some “How To” guides for a more structured walk-through.[8]
How can I learn basic drawing skills?
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1Take a class or join a drawing club. Many community centers or colleges host art classes that aren’t super expensive. You can also look around for free clubs to join and share your work and experience with others.[9]
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do beginners start drawing?
Kelly MedfordKelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. She studied classical painting, drawing and printmaking both in the U.S. and in Italy. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. She founded Sketching Rome Tours in 2012 where she teaches sketchbook journaling to visitors of Rome. Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art.
Professional ArtistAn important part of learning how to draw is learning how to see things as they are rather than how you think they are. In other words, instead of drawing the symbols for things, try to observe objects as they really are. You can also try practicing specific drawing exercises and skills like blind contour drawing and perspective.
References
- ↑ Kelly Medford. Professional Artist. Expert Interview. 2 July 2019.
- ↑ https://conceptartempire.com/what-are-the-fundamentals/
- ↑ https://conceptartempire.com/what-are-the-fundamentals/
- ↑ Kelly Medford. Professional Artist. Expert Interview. 2 July 2019.
- ↑ https://drawpaintacademy.com/fundamentals-of-art/
- ↑ https://www.theartcareerproject.com/become/graffiti-artist/
- ↑ https://www.theartcareerproject.com/become/graffiti-artist/
- ↑ https://drawpaintacademy.com/fundamentals-of-art/
- ↑ https://www.theartcareerproject.com/become/graffiti-artist/
- ↑ Kelly Medford. Professional Artist. Expert Interview. 2 July 2019.
- ↑ https://conceptartempire.com/what-are-the-fundamentals/
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