Art in Practice; Why it Matters in Animation

So as we as artists are always told, the key to getting better is practice! Studies have shown that we as humans learn better in smaller chunks and in repetition than in big pieces once in a while. This week in Blogscape Smackdown, we analyze "Practice Art and Animation" from AnimatorIsland (Ferdinand Englander) via YT. They explain in depth the ways to better your artistic and creative endeavors and habits in order to form a solidified understanding of your subjects and media. This comes in the form of 4 simple tips.

Tip One, as they explain it, is "Be Specific" with your studies. Englander describes how bigger, more vague goals are often too hard and too far-off to reach and are just recipes for intimidation. Identify what you need to improve, and begin with the basics of that part. I, for one, still struggle with drawing necks, torsos and midsections along with mouths. Something to consider here is that this definitely takes a ton of time, but also consider that your daily "work" in animation or illustration alone will only get you so far. Practicing what you feel is a weak point will hone your creative skills to make your improvement visible. Tip Two is to do just that, whether it be by using a sketchbook or a binder to hold your work. Using loose sheets of paper may mean you could lose the visual progress that may impress yourself and others around you. This establishment of prosperity is key to creating the drive for imaginative creativity in your artwork.

Tip Three is to set a schedule and create habits. There are artistic challenges like Inktober that are meant to create healthy artistic habits without too much stress, and that's always welcome in my house. Set aside a timeslot for just art and art alone. Daily practice may seem hard to keep up, but you will never know until you try. Tip Four; along with this, you should be logging your work; what you worked on, how long, how it went. This also means you should be practicing what is hard for you, not what you've already got locked down. There is a difference between seeing things and knowing how things look when you go to draw them; taking a closer look at things in both a metaphorical and literal sense could help you build your skills further. Logging your work (or documenting it in further detail) could help you in kickstarting your drive for the next day.

Englander provides a heaping helping of details and hands us creative tools towards the end that could help you on your journey. I've come across a few of these before, and although I was a bit timid back then, they would have definitely helped me along my track. Hopefully, you can find use in these programs and sites to level up your art. This blog is quite useful as a reminder of where to aim your creative energy, so I must extend my thanks to Englander for the information.

This week's link of interest comes from Clara Lieu; an Art professor at RISD. The focus an artist must have when nearing the end of their Senior year of high school usually arrives in the form of a portfolio. Stress and anxieties rise when this time for artistic evaluation comes around, but fear not! Lieu provides us with what you should and should not include in your portfolio- providing essential tips for a better overall shot at your dream college, including a variety of content as well as professional evaluations of student portfolios. Take a look if you've got some spare time.