12 Mistakes Made By Art Students And How To Correct Them

Mistakes are inevitable when it comes to building your career as an artist. But how well you learn from your mistakes and how much effort you put in to correct your mistakes pave the way for success. Art mistakes are common among all students. These mistakes can impede your progress and also hinder your artistic development. 

Avoiding these mistakes is very important if you want to hone your skills and make your artistic potential better. In this blog, we will take a look at 12 mistakes made by art students and how to rectify them to achieve mastery of craft. 

A] 12 Common Mistakes In Art 

Art is not just a mere subject that you can use to fill a gap in your busy schedule. It is more than just a hobby to dabble in when boredom strikes. Art is a form of expression and a medium through which one can explore creativity

However, many aspiring artists fall into common traps. These traps can stifle the potential of art students. Let’s look at the top 12 mistakes that you might make while pursuing a career in art and how you can overcome them. 

1. Considering Art As A Filler Subject

Considering art as a filler subject is one of the gravest mistakes made by art students. If you view it as an afterthought, its significance will diminish in your perception. You might not be able to gather the determination to excel in this area. 

Instead, it is important that you pursue art with commitment and reverence. Art students must recognize its value and understand that it requires sincere efforts and passion. 

2. Spending Too Much Time To Start

Procrastination is a problem with all artists. You might end up spending too much time imagining before putting your brush or paper to canvas. Most art students are under the wrong impression that taking too much time to start masquerades into perfection. 

Overthinking can paralyse your creativity. So, you must embrace imperfection and believe that every stroke will help you grow and become a master of art. 

3. Not Introducing Creativity

If you believe art is just about replicating reality, you are wrong! It is more about interpreting it through the lens of creativity and imagination. If you can’t infuse your work with originality and personal flair, your artwork might have no soul and essence. 

As a budding and established artist, you must dare to experiment and take risks. Experimenting will allow you to explore uncharted territories to unlock your unique artistic voice.

4. Relying On Second Hand Sources To Begin

Relying on second hand sources to begin is one of the biggest mistakes in drawing. Every artist needs inspiration to begin with. Inspiration can be enlightening. However, if you rely completely on others for inspiration, your artwork will lack authenticity and hamper your artistic growth. 
Instead, look inward and draw from your own experiences. You can easily find inspiration in the world around you.

5. Restarting Every Time

Restarting every time is the art of getting it wrong. When it comes to perfecting your artwork, the cycle of starting over is never-ending. Starting over every time can leave you highly dissatisfied with your progress. 

On the contrary, you should recognize that every piece contributes to your progress as an artist. Of course, you should learn from your mistakes, However, you should not feel scared to push yourself through your discomfort and complete your creations. 

6. Not Brushing Up The Skills

Artistic talent is not innate. An artist cultivates it through practice, persistence, and continuous learning. If you neglect to hone your skills or refine your techniques, you might end up limiting your potential. It is essential that you dedicate time to study the basics of artwork and experiment. Doing so will help you become a great artist. 

8. Not Focusing On Development

Becoming a great artist is not a destination. Instead, it is a continuous path. If an artist does not focus on his growth and development, he might end up being mediocre. Not focusing on development might lead to stagnation in your career. It is the duty of every artist to focus on goals and push their boundaries.

9. Poor Presentation

You might have come across the phrase – ‘The first impression is the last.’ Well, it is completely true when it comes to presenting your artwork. Your presentation can leave an impact on the viewers and neglecting how you present your work can put you in the problem. 

Most artists do not pay attention to composition, framing, and display while presenting and it is one of the biggest art mistakes. In such a case, they fail to explain or communicate the intent behind their art. To prepare a good presentation, you must invest in quality materials and craftsmanship. 

10. Procrastination

Procrastination is the enemy of productivity and creativity. Spending all of your time imagining how things would turn out to be can cripple your motivation. You might also end up delaying your artwork. 

It is important to work on procrastination to get the actual work done. Find out the reasons why you end up procrastinating about things. Break tasks into manageable chunks and establish a routine. It will help you cultivate discipline to stay focused and productive.

11. Poor Colour Choices

Colours evoke emotions and convey the meaning of your art. If your colour choices are poor, you might not be able to create an impact on the viewer. So, it is essential to study colour theory and experiment with different palettes. 

The colour choices should be harmonious so that you can create the intended impact on the views. You can easily learn how to make good colour choices by joining art classes in Mumbai. 

12. Comparing With Others

Comparison is the thief of joy and comparing your artwork with others can leave you dissatisfied. Comparing ourselves with others can put you in self-doubt. Instead of comparing yourself with others, you should try to focus on your personal growth and celebrate your achievements. 

Conclusion

As an aspiring artist, you should avoid treating art as a secondary pursuit of your life. Instead, you should take it up with dedication and passion. To become a great artist, it is important to have confidence in yourself. The decisions that you make throughout your learning stages decide how good of an artist you will become. 

Your artwork should be a reflection of your vision. So, you must avoid making these mistakes while pursuing a career in art. Even if you make these art mistakes, it is important to overcome them and move on with enthusiasm.

Komal Ullal

Ms. Komal Ullal, a recipient of the prestigious President’s Award and Co-founder of UAF, is an expert in student profiling, enhancing artistic skills, mentoring in design thinking and an inspiring women entrepreneur. With an impressive collection of 577 awards—including 196 trophies and 109 medals—earned in drawing and painting at both national and international levels, she was featured in the Limca Book of Records in 2007 as the youngest achiever of such accolades. Her passion and dedication continue to inspire budding artists and designers worldwide.