You’ve probably heard that artists see things differently than other people. But how exactly do artists see the world? And why should we care?
Start with a blank canvas.
It’s easy to think of yourself as an artist, but you don’t need to be Picasso or Van Gogh to start painting. In fact, there are many ways to start seeing the world as an artist. Here are some ideas:
• Take a walk outside. Look up and notice the clouds moving across the sky. Notice the colors of the leaves on the trees.
• Watch a sunset or sunrise.
• Listen to music.
• Read poetry.
• Write a poem.
• Play a musical instrument.
• Paint something.
Here’s how to get started.
If you’re looking to see the world through new eyes, here’s how to get started:
- Start with a blank canvas.
- Draw a line down the center of the paper.
- On one side of the line, draw a circle.
- On the other side of the line, add two lines that meet at the top of the circle.
- Now, draw a triangle inside the circle.
- Add another line that meets the first line at the bottom of the triangle.
- Finally, draw a square inside the triangle.
- That’s it! You now have a completed picture.
Look at Things from Different Perspectives.
Artists often think about things in different ways. They might notice details others miss, or they might focus on one aspect of an image while ignoring another. This ability to see things from multiple perspectives is called “perspective taking.” It’s also known as “mind reading,” because it requires understanding another person’s thoughts and feelings.
Find Inspiration Everywhere.
Artistic inspiration comes from everywhere. In fact, artists draw inspiration from everything — even the mundane. If you’re looking for new ideas, try thinking about how you would approach a project differently than someone else. Or, take a walk through your neighborhood and notice the unique features of each house.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the number of things you need to learn before you can become an artist. However, there’s no reason why you can’t start small. Try drawing something simple, like a stick figure. Then, once you’ve mastered that skill, move on to more complex drawings.