Libby’s Steps to an Art Project:
- Pick a subject (digital picture, still life, photograph)
- Set up composition.
- Outline subject, draw basic shapes. (Beginner drawing tip: You can simply start by dividing the paper into 9 sections, and then do the same to your paper. Then match up drawings in each box.)
- Work on values, making sure there are values 1-5. (Not all mid-tone)
- Add color
- Reevaluate drawing, colors, values, what looks off. Ask other people’s opinions on what to improve.
- Add finishing touches, like last highlights and darken the darkest values. Little hints of color.
This seems really basic, but creating a piece of artwork requires a lot of steps. I didn’t even include the time you take to decide what your goals are with the piece and what medium to use. But over time, I’ve learned that there are steps to planning out a successful piece. And if one is missing, it does show. Each step requires learning. Like learning to pick the right picture! I often have people bring a picture to paint, and I just know it will look BLAH when it’s done. Mostly because I’ve done it myself. It needs to have enough light and enough dark, or it will be BLAH.