Learn To Figure Paint With These 5 Tips

Anyone who has taken an art class has been mesmerized by figure painting. The great artistic masters were able to capture the human form in a variety of dazzling ways, and many art students have tried to follow in their footsteps. If you'd like to improve your figure painting skills, here are some tips to try.

1. Prepare

You may think preparing to paint simply means setting up your supplies, but there are many ways you can set yourself up for success that you may be neglecting. Before you even approach your canvas, you should be taking care of your tools, and this includes your body. Getting enough sleep, working out, and eating well are all essential to absorbing new knowledge and developing new skills. Trying to learn while sleep deprived or when you've neglected a repetitive motion injury is just going to extend your learning time. If you're struggling with getting the nutrients you need or sustaining your energy levels, you can add supplements, like those from Thrive, to your diet. Just research Thrive side effects to see which products will best benefit you.

2. Practice

Practice is essential when it comes to learning and mastering any skill. Give yourself room to try new techniques and make mistakes. Fill a sketchbook with your attempts, and don't get frustrated as you go along. The people you're learning from have spent years, broken down across hours and hours, to reach their current level of skill. While you're working on the technical side, it can be helpful to dedicate a set time and place to your artistic endeavors. This way, by the time you're ready to make more creative pieces, your brain will have already settled into the habit. Don't go chasing your muse, summon it each time you go to work.

3. Switch Materials

If you've tried everything you can think of and still aren't getting the results you want, switch out your materials. You may think you're married to oil paints, but switching to acrylic for a day can give you a different perspective. This can help you gain a more objective view, which in turn can help your brain approach the problem from a different angle. The sketches that look average or drab in pencil may come alive with charcoal. A new color palette can bring new life to your projects.

4. Use Different References

An important aspect of figure painting well is an intimate knowledge of human anatomy. You need to understand the way skeletons and muscular systems move in order to get those poses just right. Try a variety of different poses and work your way up to more difficult references. It is also important to switch up your references and learning material if you're struggling to grasp new concepts. Sometimes all you need is for the same information to be presented in a different way so that it finally clicks with the way your brain works. The right instructor can be proof of this.

5. Share Your Art

Learning how to be a better artist in a bubble could be impeding your process. Part of learning to be a better artist is learning how to accept and utilize criticism. While it may be difficult to hear, your next piece could be leaps and bounds better if you give yourself time to process and implement the tips you receive. Critiquing is a skill just like any other, and most people aren't great at it the first time. However, the better you get at critiquing others, the better you become at critiquing your own art as you go along. Not just as the self-deprecating artist of the piece, but with an objective angle that will improve your quality of art faster.

Becoming a skilled figure painter is a hefty challenge, but one you can certainly meet. With the right dedication and ability to evolve your approach, you'll be well on your way to developing your skills as a talented artist.