The Power of Art Tutorials: Unlocking Creativity and Learning for Professionals

As a digital artist, I have always been fascinated by the endless possibilities that art offers. Whether it’s exploring new techniques, understanding color theory, or refining composition skills, there is always room for growth and improvement. One invaluable resource that has greatly contributed to my artistic journey is art tutorials. Surprisingly, these tutorials aren’t just for beginners; even professionals can benefit from them. In this blog post, I want to share my personal experience of using art tutorials for education and inspiration, highlighting how I recently transformed a traditional art tutorial into a digital painting.

My version of the Art Sherpa’s Snowy Mountain Art Tutorial

Learning Beyond Boundaries:

Art tutorials have become a cornerstone of modern education, allowing artists to learn and grow at their own pace. While some may argue that professionals should rely solely on their experience, I firmly believe that continuous learning is essential for artistic development. Tutorials provide a structured approach to learning, breaking down complex techniques into manageable steps. They offer a wealth of knowledge, tips, and tricks that can be applied to any artistic medium, including digital art.

Exploring New Techniques:

One of the most exciting aspects of art tutorials is the opportunity to explore new techniques. As a digital artist, I am constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance my work. Tutorials provide a platform to experiment with different styles, tools, and effects. By adapting traditional art tutorials to digital mediums, I have discovered unique ways to blend the best of both worlds. This cross-pollination of techniques has expanded my artistic repertoire and allowed me to create truly unique pieces.

Color Theory and Composition:

Color theory and composition are fundamental elements of any artwork. Even professionals can benefit from revisiting these concepts to refine their skills. Art tutorials often delve into these topics, offering insights and practical exercises to improve color harmony, balance, and visual impact. By incorporating these tutorials into my practice, I have gained a deeper understanding of color psychology and how to effectively communicate emotions through my digital art.

Unwinding and Inspiring:

Artistic blocks and anxiety are common challenges that artists face. During such times, art tutorials can serve as a therapeutic tool to unwind and reignite creativity. Following step-by-step instructions and focusing on the process rather than the outcome can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Additionally, tutorials can be a source of inspiration, providing fresh ideas and perspectives that can break through creative barriers.

Transforming Traditional to Digital:

Recently, I came across a tutorial by The Art Sherpa, a traditional artist renowned for her teaching skills. Intrigued by her techniques, I decided to adapt her tutorial into a digital painting. This exercise allowed me to explore the nuances of traditional art while incorporating the advantages of digital tools. The result was a unique piece that blended the beauty of traditional art with the versatility of digital mediums.

Art tutorials are not just for beginners; they are a valuable resource for professionals seeking growth, inspiration, and a fresh perspective. By embracing tutorials, we can expand our artistic horizons, refine our skills, and overcome creative blocks. Whether it’s learning new techniques, exploring color theory, or simply unwinding, tutorials offer a wealth of benefits. So, let’s embrace the power of art tutorials and unlock our full creative potential.

How to create a realistic sketch

Phalaenopsis Orchid sketch – black and white with watercolour

Creating a beautiful and realistic sketch can be a rewarding and fulfilling artistic endeavor. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, here are some tips to help you achieve a stunning and lifelike sketch.

  1. Start with a good reference: Choose a high-quality reference image that captures the subject’s details and features. It could be a photograph or a still life setup. A clear and well-lit reference will make it easier to capture the nuances and intricacies of your subject.
  2. Observe and analyze: Take your time to carefully observe the reference image. Pay attention to the proportions, shapes, and values. Analyze the light and shadow areas, as they play a crucial role in creating depth and realism in your sketch.
  3. Sketch lightly: Begin by sketching the basic shapes and outlines of your subject using a light pencil. This initial sketch will serve as a foundation for the rest of your drawing. Focus on capturing the overall form and proportions accurately.
  4. Build up layers: To create depth and dimension, gradually build up layers of shading and details. Start with light pressure and gradually increase it as you add darker values. This technique allows you to control the tonal range and achieve a more realistic effect.
  5. Pay attention to details: As you progress, pay close attention to the smaller details that make your subject unique. Whether it’s capturing the texture of hair, the wrinkles on a face, or the intricate patterns on a flower, these details add realism and character to your sketch.
  6. Use a variety of shading techniques: Experiment with different shading techniques to add depth and texture to your sketch. Techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and blending can help you achieve different effects and enhance the realism of your drawing.
  7. Take breaks and step back: It’s important to take breaks during the drawing process. Stepping back and looking at your sketch from a distance can provide a fresh perspective and help you identify areas that need improvement. This also allows you to assess the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
  8. Practice regularly: Like any skill, creating realistic sketches requires practice. Set aside regular time for sketching and experiment with different subjects and techniques. The more you practice, the more you will develop your observation skills and improve your ability to capture realism in your sketches.

Remember, creating a beautiful and realistic sketch takes time and patience. Don’t be discouraged by mistakes or imperfections along the way. Embrace them as part of the learning process and keep pushing yourself to improve. With practice and dedication, you will be able to create stunning and lifelike sketches that showcase your artistic talent.

Up until 2021 I was solely using traditional art methods. Now I create mostly digital in Procreate. The skills I learned in the 4+ years using traditional art tools and media set me up so well for the transition to digital art.

TOP TIP: Have your reference photos in colour and black and white. Use both images for shape, proportion and details.

For FREE reference photos for you to practice on go to my page Floral Garden Colouring where you will find 20 mages you can use.

Digital Art Vs Traditional Art Vs Photography

Purple is my favourite colour. I’ve said so many times, it calms me, makes me smile. The first image is my digital illustration version of a tree I painted when I first started my art art journey in 2017 (if I remember correctly).

Marigolds – my reference photo and then digital illustration of the photo. I used the pastel pencils in Procreate to create this one. I am loving Procreate for many reasons.

It’s a whole lot less messy and I can do it anywhere. I don’t need internet or Wi-Fi. I often run my Apple Pencil flat though.

Follow me on insta to see how I progress with procreate. I am creating some thing special so keep your eyes pealed!

Digital art Vs Traditional Art

There are so many differences between digital art and traditional art. One is there is a whole lot less mess with digital art. Especially for me, because I trash the joint when I’m painting……. Just ask my other half.

Some people prefer the traditional and some prefer digital. I thought (before I started digital art) that it would be easier, oh how wrong I was! It’s just as difficult to get a fantastic image, the challenges are just different. You still need to learn how to use your brushes, how the ‘canvas’ feels.

Grass in the park

I can’t wait to learn more and more. As with traditional art I have so many ideas that I want to try. My reference photo library is going to come in handy. I’ve already used several of my photos to help with shape, style and colour palettes.

Weekly trips and adventures are going to become a regular occurrence in our family life. My aim is to get at least 2 images for my library every week. They give me inspiration and ideas for my art. Looking forward to the next few weeks of art!

Studying, working and creating

Well my life is pretty busy, between the kids school and sporting endeavours and a full time job that entails at least 1.5hrs travel time each day it’s a wonder how I manage to get anything else done.

Weekend fun at the park with the kiddos.

I’m studying a Cert 3 in IT and trying to teach myself how to use Procreate. I guess the only reason I’m getting any of this done is because I love it. I find the time. Playing with procreate is relaxing so I’m using that as my downtime. Here are a few things I’ve created so far.

I’m not sure if I like Procreate more than traditional art. There is just something about a paint brush on canvas, or a pencil on sketch paper. It is a whole lot less messy though!

Til next time, get creative!