Tips for Budding Artists: Part 1

So you are one of those budding artists who want to make it big?

If you really want to be a successful artist, there are some things you’ll need to keep in mind. It’s easy to think that everyone should love your art and pay attention to everything you do; it’s another thing entirely to actually make it happen. But if you follow these simple suggestions, I’m sure you’ll find success within no time!

1. The Industry Is Competitive:

It’s a tough world out there, filled with artists from all walks of life. And somebody has to be the best! So why not you? If you enter the fray equipped with these tips, I’m sure you’ll be on track to making your dreams come true in no time!

Hang In There:  Starting off as one of the budding artists among many is always difficult. You’ll need to grab attention right away or else risk fading into obscurity along with untold other would-be greats. Don’t get discouraged if people don’t notice you at first – just keep chugging along until somebody takes notice!

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Out:

If you want to be an artist, you need to embrace your personality. If you’re the shy type, then go ahead and put yourself out there! Get active on social media, talk about your ideas with others, showcase your work at local events; whatever it is, make sure people notice! You’ll probably find that most successful artists are fairly unique or they wouldn’t be successful now would they?

3. Reach Out & Build Your Network:

One of the best ways to ensure a bright future as a creator is by cultivating good relationships with other creators and fans of all kinds. Make sure you interact with other artists online – have conversations instead of just shouting out empty catch-phrases – and go to conventions when you can. Not only are you likely to make some valuable connections, but there’s no better way to learn about industry happenings or receive feedback on your art than by travelling around and rubbing elbows with the best in the business!

4. Have an Eye for What People Want:

Part of being successful is knowing what people want before they do. If you’re always pushing boundaries without understanding what your audience likes, it will be a lot harder for them to take notice of your work. So spend time paying attention to other artists and craftspeople – figure out why their ideas work and how they can apply those lessons to help themselves grow as creators!

5. Don’t Forget Your Roots:

No matter where you are or how big you get, it’s a good idea to take some time every now and then to look back on where art has taken you. Take a walk through your old drawings, go back and read old fanmail, remember those days as a kid when you first realized that creating was something you could do for the rest of your life! Successful artists don’t forget their roots – they celebrate them!

6. Don’t Neglect Your Personal Life:

It’s important not to neglect other things in your life as an artist… like family or friends or outside hobbies. Keep up with other members of society! If your personal life begins to suffer due to overwork, people might start taking notice and asking questions about why you’re so busy all the time. It’s best to avoid this whenever possible!

7. Be Open to Criticism:

Getting your work critiqued by others is something that helps you grow as an artist. Taking time to consider how other people view your creations will allow you to see things in new ways and help you improve on old ideas or come up with new ones! There are many different kinds of feedback, so make sure you’re encouraging people to give it when they encounter your art – their insights might just lead to a bright future for both of you as artists!

8. Prepare for Rejection:

Sometimes even the most successful artists aren’t met with open arms by everybody. People can be very judgmental about what other people enjoy, so it’s good to prepare yourself for the fact that there will be times when people trash your work. This is especially true if you go for a professional job in an art field; they don’t want to hire somebody who can’t take criticism perhaps? If you’re not familiar with how the pros deal with rejection, try reading some interviews or articles online about it!

9. Don’t Overwork Yourself:

It’s very easy for budding artists to become overwhelmed by all the possibilities that exist out there – whether it’s because of too many ideas or too much ambition. Try not to let this get away from you. Be careful about accepting every offer that comes your way and avoid taking on more than you can handle at once. Your health and happiness are more important than being successful, so don’t let success come at the cost of your mental or physical well-being!

10. Have a Portfolio:

Well… no duh right? In order for people to notice you as an artist, they have to be able to see your art somehow. A portfolio allows them to do this easily and is a great way to get yourself out there! You don’t need a website necessarily either – most publishers review portfolios in print form these days, so go ahead and mail it off if you can afford postage! It might even help you get your first big break~

11. Have a Plan:

Know where you want to go as an artist and have some concrete ideas on how you’re going to get there! Decide what your ‘big break’ will look like – perhaps it’s your first paid gig or that short story you always wanted to be published – and then work towards making that a reality. It’s a lot easier to tell people what you’re doing with your art when it’s not just random drawing after random drawing.

12. Stay Humble:

Remember that while some budding artists might go on to be more successful than you, that doesn’t mean they don’t have problems of their own. Don’t get wrapped up in the idea that your dreams will come true once you’re a ‘famous artist’ – it might, but there’s no guarantee. In the meantime, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your supporters when you need it and don’t forget about them when you get big! If they helped you out when nobody else would have given you the time of day, that means something.

If you have any suggestions or comments on what you want to read next then please send me a message on my Instagram page.

You can check out my other art pieces here 🙂