Follow These 3 Basic And Initial Steps to Become An Artist.
Say the word artist – and an image of a khadi clad haggard looking human being comes to mind. However, the reality today is quite different. Visual artists are in demand – from illustrating books to designing interiors of super cool theme-based cafes are all projects that come under the purview of a modern visual artist. Nevertheless, the road to becoming one is still less taken, hence, we will attempt to provide you a map to your destination in the next few paragraphs.
Step 1: Train Yourself
Every profession has its tricks and techniques, theories and intricacies that an aspiring professional ought to learn – art is no different. Successful artists are comfortable with various mediums and masters of their favourite few. They have a unique style – developed through years of practice – and are often known for it in the industry. They are also highly specialized – Banksy is known for his satirical graffiti, Sophie Koko Gate has her surrealistic digital illustrations and Ana Zaja Petrak makes some very unique prints.
Joining an art course or diploma is a good way to discover various mediums like oil, acrylic, watercolor, sculpture and the like. It is advisable, though not necessary, to study in an art school and earn a degree. Formal education not just enables one to learn the principles and the process of creating an artwork, but is also a chance to meet other artists and learn the tips, tricks and etiquettes of the trade.
It is always good to have a mentor, and have multiple sources for genuine feedback. Remember, in art there is nothing absolutely right or wrong, only varying perspectives. A degree program is also an opportunity to specialize – be it graphic design, illustration, animation, interior design, textile design, installation, etc. Two degrees commonly offered are Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Design (B. Des.). Post-graduation studies are also available in the same. Prominent institutes offering art and/or design studies are National Institute of Design, JJ School of Art and Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay, Guwahati, Hyderabad and Kanpur.
Step 2: Social Media is the key
Every professional has a resume – an artist has a portfolio.
A portfolio is simply a well-organized collection of your best work – personal plus client commissions, when you get them. It is a window to your head as well as a meter to gauge your skills. This is what your prospective clients will look at to see whether you are fit for the job and worth every penny you charge. These days, artists have their own websites or at least an account on hubs like Behance. Many have also built a social media following for themselves on popular platforms like Instagram. A good example is the character artist Beverly Johnson. So how important is social media for an artist?
“A good social media presence is definitely a big plus as a creative professional,” says Aditya Shrivastava, a user experience design student from Pune, who creates interesting illustrations and motion graphics in his free time. “It gives additional credibility to my portfolio for gaining prospective clients. There’s an opportunity to reach a much wider audience and create meaningful connections with people who might not be on domain specific sites like Behance or Dribbble. Also, with new features like Instagram business profile, it’s possible for artists like me to get a head-start in their freelance career. I have personally gained some of my most exciting projects through people noticing my works on Instagram,” he adds. Getting your work exhibited in a gallery is another way of showcasing it, especially if it is focused more on traditional mediums.
Step 3: Get some clients
Networking is the buzzword for every creative professional today, and rightly so. The world is Sarojini Market and one is just another seller among millions. People more experienced than I am have said that getting your first client is often the hardest, because a “tried and tested” individual is more likely to bag a project than a complete novice. Therefore, interacting with artist community is vital. It is not just a way enhance your own work by learning from others, but also opens up doors to assisting existing masters and eventually getting a commission or two of your own. For those of you looking for more regular employment, there are various studios that have artists on their payroll.
After gaining some experience, one can actually work as an art director for publishing houses, film production houses, advertising agencies and the like, depending on one’s niche. Going freelance or getting a job depends on one’s disposition. For artist and product designer Aaroh Dhoundiyal, having complete creative freedom is essential, even if it means that not everything he creates is sold.
Like every other field, art requires dedicated study and practice. Through perseverance, it is possible to earn a sustainable living out of it, all the while gaining the genuine work satisfaction that a creative job has to offer.
We hope it helped you in some way. If you are an artist do share more tips or stories.
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