How to Be a Self Taught Artist

Co-authored by Jeanine Hattas Wilson and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: June 14, 2024 References

Do you have a passion for art? Believe it or not, you don’t need a special degree or certification to get your art career started. While being a self-taught artist isn’t easy, it’s definitely not impossible, either. With enough focus, drive, and determination, you might see your art goals become a reality. We’ve put together a list of tips and tricks to help you get started on your artistic journey.

1

Learn the basics.

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Art fundamentals, like perspective, anatomy, and composition are important building blocks in your art career.^{[1]
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Jeanine Hattas Wilson
Professional Painter

Expert Interview. 19 May 2021.} These skills may seem basic, but they’ll make a big difference in your future art pieces.^{[2]
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2

Read and watch tutorials.

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YouTube videos and art-related articles can be great stepping stones. As you first get started, Google specific art skills or concepts that you’d like to focus on.^{[3]
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Jeanine Hattas Wilson
Professional Painter

Expert Interview. 19 May 2021.}
- You might search “oil painting techniques” or “how to draw hands” online.

3

Sign up for online classes.

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Pick an online class that fits your art niche. From traditional sketches to digital art, there are tons of classes out there that can help you refine specific art skill sets.^{[5]
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Jeanine Hattas Wilson
Professional Painter

Expert Interview. 19 May 2021.} Search online for classes run by professional artists—these are great, hands-on ways to improve your skills.^{[6]
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- A lot of professional classes cost money. However, some universities offer free art classes.^{[7]
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- Sites like Udemy and Skillshare are great places to find online classes.

4

Start with small projects.

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Recreate simple subjects on a small canvas. Don’t try to make a large, complicated painting or portrait right off the bat. Instead, grab a small canvas and work from there—this will be a lot easier and much less overwhelming than following an in-depth tutorial for a big painting.^{[8]
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- An 8 by 8 in (20 by 20 cm) canvas is a great place to start.

5

Study other artists.

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Look at well-known art pieces and see what techniques are used. Don’t directly copy or trace another artist’s work; instead, focus on the specific brush techniques they used, and how they layered and blended different aspects of their work.^{[9]
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- Iconic artists, like Da Vinci and Van Gogh, are great to reference and learn from.^{[10]
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6

Practice regularly.

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It’s okay if your schedule is jam-packed. Even a half-hour of drawing each day can help you improve and grow!^{[11]
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Jeff Koons, Artist

Sketch out your ideas. "If you have an idea, you have to move on it, to make a gesture. Drawing is an immediate way of articulating that idea – of making a gesture that is both physical and intellectual."

7

Document all your art.

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A social media account, like Twitter or Instagram, is a great way to chart your starting point and an even greater way to track your progress. Once you’ve created a lot of art, you might even compare your older works to your newer ones and see what’s changed.^{[12]
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8

Join the art community.

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Network with artists on social media, or enter art competitions and exhibitions. You might also interact with other artists through forums and demonstrations.^{[13]
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9

Ask for feedback.

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Ask a friend or art acquaintance to take a look at your artwork. They can help point out areas of improvement, so you know what to focus on in the future.^{[14]
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10

Go easy on yourself.

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Becoming a self-taught artist is a long journey. Instead, love and accept your art for what it is instead of expecting it to be of professional caliber right away.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What should I do to become an artist?

Jeanine Hattas Wilson
Professional Painter
Jeanine Hattas Wilson is a Professional Painter and the President of Hattas Public Murals, Inc. With nearly 20 years of experience, Jeanine specializes in creating, overseeing, designing, and painting murals. Jeanine holds a BA in Advertising from Marquette University and a Studio Painting Minor from The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. She has studied at The Atelier Artien in Paris, France, Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and under renowned artists such as Robert Liberace, Michael Siegel, and William Cochran. To date, Hattas Public Murals has painted nearly 5,000 commissioned works of art in homes and commercial and public spaces.

Jeanine Hattas Wilson

Professional Painter

Expert Answer

You should keep learning and try out different things. You can take courses to develop your skills. Visit museums and observe historical and contemporary art pieces. Always research and get inspiration from various sources.

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Tips

Being a self-taught artist comes with its share of challenges, but you’re in good company. Well-known artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Rousseau, and Frida Kahlo were all self-taught.^{[16]
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