Practice Methods in Art

There are multiple ways to practice an art form, and it’s important that we practice in multiple ways.

We can engage in formal exercises. Practicing formal exercises enhances our ability to see, hear, and move. In art school, there is a lot of homework that resembles tasks such as taking two colors or two shades of grey and creating 20 steps between them, aiming to develop a smooth transition from color A to color B. Repeatedly doing that exercise sharpens our eye. We can’t avoid it. Do the work and it happens.

We can also engage in creative and generative exercises, which help us build confidence to let go and discover new things. Creative exercises often involve mixing unlikely elements: combining unconventional materials in a sculpture, creating a drum pattern inspired by speech, or composing a ballet set to heavy metal. These are just a few examples. The benefits of these exercises may not be immediately apparent; the initial results can even be ugly. However, engaging in these exercises enables us to grow.

Keep going.