Colour your world!
This might not seem like the most creative outlet, but hear us out. Colouring books are an excellent way to practice your precision and fine motor skills. When you’re colouring, you have to stay within the lines, which helps develop accuracy in your hand movements. This can be especially beneficial if you’re just getting started with drawing or painting as it will help you develop more precise strokes when creating your own artwork.
Another great thing about colouring books is that they provide the perfect opportunity to experiment with colours and create unique colour schemes without worrying about the subject matter. This gives you the freedom to try out different combinations of colours and see what works best for your aesthetic. Once you’ve found a combination of colours that work well together, this can be used in other artworks that may require more complex subject matter.
Finally, colouring books can provide a great way to relax and de-stress after a long day. The repetitive nature of staying within the lines can help clear your mind and allow you to focus on something calming instead of whatever stressful thoughts may be occupying your mind. Colouring in books are also incredibly therapeutic as they encourages mindfulness while allowing you some time away from screens and other electronics. So grab yourself a colouring book today and start exploring!
Draw what you see!
Drawing still life is a great way to get creative juices flowing. It might seem like an old-fashioned idea, but there is a reason why artists have been producing still life works for centuries—it can help you refine your skills and discover new ones! A bowl of fruit, a collection of bottles, a vase of fresh flowers; these everyday items are fertile ground for creative expression.
When creating still-life drawings, understanding light and shadows is incredibly important. This is because the light often changes depending on the time of day or season—which means that the shadows will also change accordingly! Studying how light interacts with everyday objects such as fruits, vases, and bottles will teach you how to accurately capture light and shadow in your drawings. This skill will come in handy when setting up compositions for more complicated pieces such as landscapes or portraits. Additionally, learning about light and shadow can help give your work more dimensionality and depth when done correctly.
Drawing still life requires intense observation skills because it involves recreating everyday objects accurately onto paper or canvas. You need to pay attention to details such as the shape of an object’s edges and its colour palette so that your output looks realistic enough that people can recognize it without having seen the original object. As a result, drawing still life helps artists practice their observational skills so that they become more attuned to subtle differences among various objects in real life—which is especially useful for capturing realistic elements in their artwork later on, down the line.\
Get started with colouring here.
Open a book!
Here at Eckersley’s we have a wide range of useful reference books that will help you take the first steps to becoming a better artist, such as the Leonardo Collection of art books! The Perfect way for artists—beginners or professionals—to hone their skills and unleash their creativity. Their comprehensive approach makes it easy for anyone to pick up the basics as well as refine existing techniques through step-by-step tutorials taught by experts in the field. Plus, each book contains inspiring artwork from some of the world's greatest masters that will surely inspire your own creative journey!
The tutorials in this collection are suitable for all skill levels so if you’re just starting out or have been painting for years, you can still benefit from these books. They provide detailed instructions so beginners can learn the fundamentals while more advanced artists can refine their techniques. Each book covers different topics such as watercolours, landscapes, animals, humans, perspective drawing and more. Each volume features step-by-step tutorials that make it easy for anyone to follow along and improve their skills. You can learn how to use simple shapes like boxes and circles to create complex 3D objects that look realistic. Learn how to render fur textures and capture the unique personalities of different animal species. You’ll be an expert in no time.
Look at art!
If you are lucky enough to have a major gallery in your city, you can expect to see everything from classic masterpieces from well-known artists such as Monet and Picasso, to more modern works from up-and-coming contemporary creators. Not only will this give you access to some of the world's finest works of art, but it will also give you inspiration and insight into different styles and techniques that can help inform and shape your own artwork.
When visiting an art gallery, it is important not just to look at the work on display, but also to pay attention to how the artwork makes you feel. This is especially true if viewing artwork outside of your comfort zone. For example, if you usually produce abstract pieces of art, take some time to appreciate the realism in another artist’s creations. Doing so can help open up new possibilities for creativity in your own work. Additionally, taking note of specific techniques or colours that speak to you can act as catalysts for further exploration and experimentation when creating your own pieces.
Check out Art Guide Australia to see what's on near you.
Think inside the box!
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the huge range of art making products available. Do you need synthetic brushes or hog hair? Which paint colours should I choose? What is the best pencil grade? Sometimes, when the possibilities seem infinite, decision paralysis sets in and you are adrift in a sea of options. At Eckersley’s, we have a great range of paint sets, pencil sets, brush sets, whatever you need! Our sets have everything you need to get started in your chosen artistic field. With carefully curated colours and thoughtfully chosen accessories, our painting and drawing sets offer the aspiring or returning artist an excellent starting point. Not only does a set take the guesswork out of what to buy, it also gives you artistic parameters to work within. By limiting colour, brush, pencil options while you refresh your skills, the focus for your development can be more targeted. Eventually you might grow out of your starter set and feel comfortable building a broader collection of brushes, paints and other accessories. Great! But for now, a starting point is all you need.
Have a look here for Paint Sets and Drawing Sets.
So, there you have it. Some ideas to get you back to your creative self and re-discovering your passion. At Eckersley’s, we have everything you need to get started on your journey – so pop in store or shop online and take advantage of our massive range of materials. And don’t forget, progress is made in small steps – but the most important thing is that you start! So grab that empty visual diary off your shelf, dust it off and let’s get creating. 2023 is going to be the year of the masterpiece!
