What Do I Need to Become an Artist?
An artist is expected to have boundless creativity, inherent talent and an eye for composition, beauty and details. You must inculcate a sense of discipline and dedication to be a versatile artist. Your work should showcase your talent, innovative ideas, thoughts and vision. You should try to achieve technical prowess in addition to sharpening your natural skills. To become an artist, you must strike a balance between technical expertise, talent, dedication, hard work and smart business sense.
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Qualifications, a Stepping Stone
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Get yourself enrolled in one of the best undergraduate programs specializing in art that offers adequate studio training in fine arts, crafts and multimedia. You should equip yourself with a bachelor's degree or, better still, with a master's degree in fine arts. Check out art and design schools that emphasize the need for studio training, and join an intensive program on studio work to get hands-on knowledge of what an artist's job entails.
Art Skills, a Recipe for Success
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A concept artist is expected to have a strong base in lighting, tonal values and color while a comic artist should have adequate knowledge of anatomy. Plan a painting before starting work on it. While deciding on the basic tones, start visualizing the colors of the final product. Make correct use of space and light or light and shadow. Dark lines and soft lines or straight lines and curved lines should be used judiciously to convey your ideas effectively.
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Practical Moves, a Key to Fame
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You need to focus on building a substantial volume of work. Become a regular at art openings and exhibitions to get accustomed to the atmosphere as this is where your work would be showcased and sold in the future. Take part in exhibitions, keep track of works of similar artists and notice price differences in local as well as foreign markets. Take a management course to learn the finer points of managing your career well.
Final Tips, a Must
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Devote some time to promote your work. Circulate your business cards, attend studio parties and get acquainted with all those who could further your career. Get actively involved and become a familiar face in the art circle. A reliable arts alliance could be contacted to help you bag lucrative contracts. Always ensure that the contract is a written one and that it has no loopholes. Galleries can earn their commission by adding the amount to your quoted wholesale price.
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