The 7 rules of art are essential for art makers, from novice to experts, to create great works. Regardless of what kind of project, medium, or genre an artist is working in, these immutable rules will ensure the best work is put forward and the individual remains true to the vision of the project.
To ensure the project is creative, engaging, and captivating, it’s important to adhere to these 7 rules of art. In this article, we will discuss what these 7 rules of art are and how they can best be applied to create a successful art project.
1. Know Your Materials
The first rule of art is to know your materials and their properties, specifically when it comes to the medium you are working in. Each medium has its own unique set of characteristics and abilities that can be used or manipulated to create a certain desired effect or outcome.
As an artist, you should have a good understanding which materials provide the results you are aiming for and which ones won’t. By becoming a master of your materials, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions regarding your projects and end up with a more successful outcome. For example, if you’re working on finger paint art, you should know the essentials about the type of paint you’re using to determine the final texture of the paint and how it should be laid down on the canvas.
This can make a big difference in the outcome of your painting. When you understand what your materials can do and how they move, you’ll be able to use them in the best way and make something that stands out.
2. Understand Your Audience
The second rule of art dictates that the artist should have an understanding of who their audience is and what they may expect. Knowing the target audience or those you are creating the art for or with is essential in having the right messaging, look, and feel to the work. Having an understanding of who your audience is and what they’ll be responding to is key in creating something that resonates.
Without this understanding of the audience, the artist will likely miss the mark as far as expectations and preferences go. For example, if you’re creating a piece of art for a baby’s nursery, you’ll want to keep things gentle, light, and happy.
You’ll probably avoid anything that’s too dark, too busy, or too controversial for that space. Knowing who your audience is and what they’ll respond to is key in creating the right artwork for the situation.
3. Experiment & Practice
The third rule of art says to experiment and practice, that is to keep creating and pushing the boundaries until you find something that works. As an artist, it’s essential to explore to create something that stands out and captures the attention of the audience. This is a process of trial and error and coming up with solutions that work and make something unique.
One way to stay creative and push the boundaries is to constantly try new projects, work on new mediums, or work with different methods of art making. It’s good to stay open to new ideas and solutions and by pushing your limits and taking risks, you’ll find something that resonates with the audience and makes something that’s truly captivating.
4. Use Elements & Principles of Design
The fourth rule of art is to use elements and principles of design when creating pieces. The elements and principles of design are essential in creating visually appealing pieces of art that are balanced and make sense.
This includes things like line, texture, and color. As an artist, it’s essential to understand how these elements work and work together and how to use them properly for the desired outcome. For example, when creating a painting, a principle of design such as balance on the canvas can be used to make shapes stand out or be in harmony with the overall piece.
Different lines or colors can also be used to create interesting shapes that could tie together a piece or direct the viewer’s attention to certain elements of the project.
5. Learn From the Greats
The fifth rule of art is to learn from the greats, that is to learn from artists that have gone before you who have created the works that you are inspired by. Studying artwork, work of the masters, and greats can not only be inspiring but can help to inform and influence your own work.
By studying the works of the greats, you’ll be able to learn what works and why in certain pieces of art. This can help inform decisions you make, from shape and color choice to material and technique choice. Having a deeper understanding of what works and why can help you create something truly unique and captivating.
6. Don’t Fear Failure
The sixth rule of art is to not fear failure and to use it as a learning opportunity. As an artist, it’s essential to understand that failure is a normal part of the process and, ultimately, part of the journey to create something amazing. Fear of failure should not be a roadblock but instead a lesson on how to make things better.
Failure should be used as a way to grow, to create something new and to push the boundaries of what’s been done before. Growing from errors and having the ability to accept and move past failure is key in achieving success as an artist.
7. Use Critiques to Push Your Work
The seventh and last rule of art is to use critiques to push your work further. Having other art makers review and provide critiques of your work is key in ensuring your work is always pushing forward and improving. Not only can critiques point out mistakes, they can also provide helpful insight into how your work can be improved or taken to the next level.
The use of critiques can help you see things that you may have missed or noticed as well as provide a unique perspective into your work. This allows you to grow and create something even better.
By understanding critiques and using them to improve your work, you can take your art to the next level.
Conclusion
By following the 7 rules of art, artists can create amazing works that truly stand out and captivate their audience. These 7 rules provide a well-rounded foundation for art making and ensure that each piece is well-executed and perfected. Following these fundamental rules of art allows artists to be more confident in their work and understand the nuances and nuances that make great art.