As artists and creatives, it can be easy to get comfortable in our chosen mediums. We may find ourselves sticking to the same techniques and materials, and may even feel hesitant to try something new. However, exploring new mediums can not only expand our skills and creativity, it can also keep our art exciting and fresh and help us build a community.
We have the inspiration you need! Here are a few tips to get started:
Do some research about new creative mediums:
- Online research: You can start by doing online research to learn about the medium you are interested in. Look for articles, blogs, videos, and websites that provide information about the medium and its techniques.
- Books and tutorials: There are many books and tutorials available that can teach you about new creative mediums. These resources can be a great way to get a comprehensive understanding of the medium and its techniques.
- Take inspiration from other artists: Find an artist who you connect with who uses a totally different medium and immerse yourself in their work. Museums or virtual galleries are a great place to visit to view the art of past favorites and newly discovered artists.
Start small and experiment:
- Start with a small project: Instead of diving headfirst into a large and complex project, try starting with a small, simple project to get a feel for the medium and build your skills and confidence. Try a smaller canvas or targeted subject.
- Practice basic techniques: Start with layering and shading to get a feel for the medium and help you become more comfortable quickly. Once you are comfortable with the basics, creating a new composition becomes less intimidating.
- Try different tools: Trying new tools can help artists learn new techniques and skills, which can lead to more diverse and expressive artwork. Working with new tools can present challenges and obstacles that require artists to think critically and come up with solutions. This can improve problem-solving skills and increase flexibility in the creative process plus inspire new work.
- Start a sketchbook: Keep a sketchbook or journal to document your progress and ideas. This will help you keep track of your progress and allow you to refer back to it as you continue to develop your skills.
Practice, practice, practice:
- Practice regularly: To improve your technique and build muscle memory you need to consistently practice these skills. Set up a regular cadence where you can focus on learning new skills. This could be a specific place or time that you use to get yourself into the mindset to learn.
- Reward yourself: Create small rewards that you can use to celebrate your progress and accomplishments. These goals should be bite sized and encourage progress, not perfection.
- Have patience and persistence: if you don’t see improvement immediately, this is normal. It takes time and practice to master a new medium. Learning a new medium can be challenging, but the reward is worth it.
Seek guidance and community:
- Take a class or workshop: There are many free classes available that allow you to quickly build up new skills and get targeted help when you’re stuck. You can meet other artists and get one on one instruction to help move past blockers.
- Seek out mentors: Look for experts in the space and connect with them. Do some research on LinkedIn, join professional associations and attend networking events. If you have someone you admire and respect in your field, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for mentorship. It never hurts to ask!
- Find a community: Collaborating with other artists or discussing your work with others can be a valuable way to learn. You can share ideas and techniques, and get feedback on your work. Find artists you admire and reach out to build a relationship. They can provide valuable insights and tips for success plus be a support system for you.
Embrace your mistakes as inspiration:
- Mistakes are natural: It’s important to embrace these mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow. Remember, every mistake is a chance to improve and get better. You now know more about working with the medium than you did before the mistake.
- Embrace the uncertainty and unpredictability: Embrace the unknown and let go of the need for perfection. The creative process sometimes takes you somewhere you didn’t expect but this challenge allows for artistic growth.
- Use mistakes as a source of inspiration: Look for ways to turn them into something new and unique. Keep a positive attitude and look for a way to incorporate the mistake in a way to create something even better.
Exploring new mediums can be intimidating, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. It’s a chance to challenge ourselves and expand our artistic abilities. So don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new – you never know what amazing creations you may come up with. And in case you need more ideas, check out our post on overcoming creative blocks and follow us on Twitter.
With this new insight, what steps are you going to take to break into a new medium?