Any advice you can give on someone who wants to start being an artist?

I'm really interested in trying the visual arts - painting, drawing, sculpting, using oil pastels, crayons, watercolor, etc, but I don't know how to start and I don't know anything about the materials. Perhaps some of you know a good site or book, or can give me advice on how I can start? Thanks!Any advice you can give on someone who wants to start being an artist?
Wow, you sound so much like me! I'm all over the place with it, too!





I started with colored pencils. I didn't really have a clue, but bought a sketchbook and a basic set of Prismacolor pencils and just played and played with them. Prismacolor has a great website for their products:





http://www.prismacolor.com/sanford/consu鈥?/a>





There are tons of sites. About.com has great tips for painting and drawing. Or, just type ';free online art techniques'; or ';how to use oil pastels'; (or whatever media interests you) into your browser and see what you get!





If you're interested in taking a class and have the time for it, definitely do so. Also make sure you have at least a basic understanding of color theory. You can learn that online as well, but you'll get a better idea of how colors behave once you actually start working with them.





And practice as much as you can. Try to at least sketch something every day, even if it's just a scribble on a scrap of paper while you're standing in line at the grocery.





One small piece of advice ... avoid watercolors until you take a class or really know what you're doing. You'd think they'd be so simple, right! They can be very frustrating. OK, maybe that's just me ... ? Anyway, have fun ... and Good Luck!Any advice you can give on someone who wants to start being an artist?
JUST DO IT!!!! No one can train/tell you how to be an artist it just happens. I started painting years ago and it was not good but with practice I was able to do my own thing and figure out techniques that help me. Keep on keeping on girl!
Use the internet or go to the library and get some books on the history of the use of whichever mediums you are interested in. Pick the names of artists that mastered techniques in that type of art, and use it for inspiration to start your own work. You could try doing reproductions/copies first if that helps.


It's usually easiest to start with pencil drawings first then slowly trying out pastels, acrylic paints, and oil paints (watercolour is a bit of a toughy--you might want to save that for later on). I personally thinking you can start sculpting at any time. Working with clay is one of my favourites, but for that you'll need proper resources such as a kiln to fire the dried pieces.


Make sure to learn the basics in whatever you choose (i.e. how to mix colours if you want to learn painting, or studying anatomy and proportions if you want to do figure drawings or portraits), again through either books or online tutorials (there's plenty if you know how to use search engines properly). You might even want to join an online artists group like deviant art or gfxartist or example, so that you can get critiques and comments on your art which will help you improve much faster. This is especially important if your town/city doesn't offer many art classes or if you don't have any contacts with people skilled in art.


It would be a very good idea to keep a sketchbook on you, to scribble down any ideas or thoughts as your creative juices flow. Also, if you're serious about this and it's not just a passing interest, don't cheap out on materials unless you're on a very tight budget, because they certainly do affect how good your end result is.


With all that said, good luck on your endeavors! :)
Start out simply with something you are most drawn to, such as pencil sketching or making jewelery. From there, you should be able to figure out what type of art interests you most and which you are more inclined to want to stay with. Most of all, please yourself with what media you choose.
nice. buy a sketchpad and do some sketches , copy some pictures from magazines..:)


try to color your sketchings using color pencils


if you think your improving then try water color ..


keep practicing! you sure will be a good artist!
read tons and tongs of books regarding artist personally i would say impressionist. Claude Monet all the way baby
I always think classes are best. Any class in your area would be good. BUT remember to practice practice practice. Work on your own style too. and remember your art won't look like everyone else's either. That was my problem at first I want to draw just like other people. You can try just drawing something from real life. Trees, people, any still life. Your brain works differently when you draw from real life.
take lessons great way to start learn about the materials and techniques some times learning on your own can get frusterating and you will give up easier but if you get lessons and learn proper technique it may come quicker
c
Take some classes if you can. There are lots of art books out there. You can find low cost books from the internet, Other than that get you some artist paint, and some brushes and some pictures or photo to practice from. I suggest using acrylic paint to begin. You can get it at Walmart and or/ Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby also gives classes. Also watch some of the art lesson on Saturday in some tv stations. Another place is , look on youtube.com for painting lessons. Good luck
TRy the Who, What , Where, When , Why , How plus motive.in chooseing the inspiration