Visual Artist Skills
The Skillset
The Visual Artist skillset applies to any type of visual art medium, but is especially useful for arts like ink, pencil, and charcoal drawing, painting (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.), digital art, and mixed media. The skillset begins by setting your baseline, and then guides you through the foundational elements and principles of design used in all kinds of artistic media. You will expand your skillset by specializing with the special techniques used with your chosen medium and creating art again and again. All art is practice, and practice is an art unto itself.
Visual Artist Skills Tracker
(1) Create three art pieces that make you happy in the medium you want to study.Focus on having fun. Making art starts with enjoying the process of creation. Consider keeping an art journal or sketchbook to work in as you learn!
(2) Learn the seven elements of design. Spend 5-15 minutes each day practicing the use of one element or principle in an exercise or warm-up for 4 weeks.The elements of design remain the same regardless of medium or style, as they are the basic tools used to make all visual art. They are line, shape, form, color, texture, space, and value.
(3) Learn the principles of design. Spend 5-15 minutes each day practicing the use of one element or principle in an exercise or warm-up for 4 weeks.The principles of design are the ways you can use the elements of design to create an effect. They include pattern, contrast, emphasis, balance, proportion, harmony, and movement.
(4) Learn and practice the artistic techniques that are unique to your chosen medium. Create small pieces as you develop your skills. Let this stage go on as long as you feel you’re learning!Beginner art kits are a treasure trove of tips for making art in your chosen style, but you can also look online for more information or ask someone experienced for advice.
(5) Create an art piece that resembles one of the original pieces you made, using the skills you’ve developed and your knowledge of the elements and principles of design.Once you are confident with following the “rules” of how to make art, you will be better prepared to know when and how to break those rules for effect. Go forth and create!
You can also download the skills tracker as a printable .PDF here.
Resources to Get You Started
Getting Your Badge
You can find the visual artist badge here.