IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS
- Browse the informative and inspiring BBC Get Creative – Ideas to Fuel Your Creativity
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/mLxfPgQ3R3CslGSYshmGGl/ideas-to-fuel-your-creativity
The BBC Get Creative section is full of information for amateur artists, whether they are interested in craft, design or the visual arts. Each field has a dedicated section with a range of resources from video tutorials; portraits of artists to a directory of ’Champions’ voluntary art groups you can join in your region.
- Find technical advice and classes for painters on Budding Artist
http://www.buddingartist.co.uk/
Improve your painting and drawing skills from the comfort of your own studio with this practical website. As the name indicates, Budding Artist will help you rediscover the basics of pen and brushwork. It also offers more advanced tutorials, such as how to abstract a form or how to work with tone. The style is precise and the well-written articles are rich with art historical references.
- Get your colours right with Color Wheel
http://color-wheel-artist.com/
Explore colours and how to create harmonious schemes on this artist-run website. Learn the difference between hues, tints and shades and what near and split complimentary colours are. You can also follow the advice to make your own Square Tetrad colour scheme.
- Refine your skills with a short courses on ArtQuest
http://www.artquest.org.uk/articles/view/short-courses
ArtQuest is an established online resource for artists. They provide practical support as well as critical engagement. Aimed at professionals, the quality of content is high. This website is a great place to start digging deeper. We’ve selected it for its useful directory of short courses and also recommend the International Network section with its country guides.
GET INSPIRED
- Watch free online courses in Art History with Khan Academy and Tate
https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/tate/
When it comes to Art History, there is no place better than the Tate. They have partnered up with Khan Academy to offer an open access online archive. Whether you want to learn about carving marble with traditional tools or about Women in Art History, it’s all available here in the form of videos. You can even test your knowledge with a few quizzes.
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-history-basics/artists-materials-techniques/sculpture/v/carving-marble-with-traditional-tools
- See what’s on with Culture24
http://www.culture24.org.uk/places-to-go
If you’re looking for galleries to visit or talks to attend near you, Culture24 is a good place to start. Their website features reviews, recommendations and news, as well as a ‘What’s On’ option which works with your postcode.
- Set the mood with an art and culture podcast suggested by The Telegraph
This Telegraph article from 2014 suggests a long list of podcasts you can download for free. You could be sculpting while hearing about films, or drawing while hearing about the latest National Gallery exhibition. There is something in it for everyone.
- Choose a camera for photographing artwork with Textile Artist
http://www.textileartist.org/cameras-for-photographing-artwork/
There are an infinite number of cameras available on the market. It makes it hard sometimes to know which one would work best for your purposes. This article from Textile Artist was written with artists in mind, and the cameras suggested are for all budgets.
- Learn how to photograph your work with the Art League
http://www.theartleague.org/blog/2015/08/13/the-zero-budget-guide-to-photographing-artwork/
Photographing artworks is an art in itself. If you want to capture your work and do it justice, you will find the advice on this Art League blog post very useful. If you scroll down that page, you’ll find additional links including where to download free editing software.
GET YOUR WORK OUT THERE
- Add your work to The Talent Bank
http://www.thetbank.com/submit/art
The Talent Bank is a free to use platform for artists to share examples of their work for visitors to the site to rate and leave feedback and if someone likes your work they can get in touch with you.
- Find opportunities with the Federation of British Artists.
http://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/call-for-entries/emerging-artist-opportunities
On the Mall Galleries website you will find a directory of call for entries for emerging artists. They list bursaries, awards as well as competitions. They also have an Open Exhibition section for new contemporary figurative art by living artists.
- Enter The National Open Art Competition
http://www.thenationalopenartcompetition.com/index.php
For a chance to be exhibited and win an award, you can submit work to one of the National Open Art Competitions. They welcome submissions from both professionals and amateurs from a variety of practices. The categories include Photography, drawing and painting, as well as etching and installation art.