HOW TO GET STARTED
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
HOW TO GET STARTED
The first rule of art? it’ s never too late to start exploring your inner Picasso. There are no upper( or lower) age limits; there are no restrictions when it comes to knowledge, skill, or talent; and there is no‘ wrong time’ to pick up a new, invigorating hobby, or to reignite a love of art that has tailed off due to life and other commitments. If it is something you want to do, then you must do it – just‘ doing’ anything is nourishing for the soul and will keep your mind sharp too.
The cost of taking up art depends on what kind of art you want to take up – each one varies. If you want to take a class for example, the cost will be different to starting out on your own. The class may include all the equipment you need, whereas if you just want to get on and create you will have to purchase everything before you start. And what do we mean by everything? Again, it depends on the type of art you want to do, but there are some essentials that all artists( professional and amateur) should be in possession of.
QUALITY DRAWING PENCILS
If you want to be a sketch artist then a set of quality drawing pencils is probably the most important thing you’ ll need in your arsenal of equipment. Whatever kind of art you’ re into though, it’ s likely pencils will come in handy. You may want to make a rough sketch of what you are going to paint, sculpt, or make, and having good pencils with which to do so will make the difference between something usable and something that becomes smudged and difficult to see.
SKETCHBOOK
A sketchbook is any artist’ s go-to tool. Take it with you when you’ re out and about – you never know when inspiration might strike. If you see something that you think would make great art in your chosen medium then sketching it will help you remember what it was really like.
STORAGE
Where are you going to keep your art? You might be lucky enough to have a room or outdoor shed that you can dedicate to
the purpose, but if not, you will want to consider where your art is going to live when it’ s done. You may not be able to display it all, so rotating what’ s on the wall is a great way of keeping your art fresh and showing off what’ s new in your oeuvre to visitors. As for the rest of it, investing in a good art storage bag or box is a good idea. It will keep your work safe and it will mean you know where to find it when you want it. Storage for your equipment is important too. Don’ t leave it lying around( unless you have a studio, of course) because it can all too easily be broken or lost. Take care of it all.
EVERYTHING ELSE
If you are a painter, you will need good paints- watercolours or oils, depending on what you prefer to work with. You may want a palette to mix your colours; an easel to make painting easier; you might even want to invest in some high-quality canvases. A potter will need good clay, a wheel, and access to a kiln, and a sculptor may require tools such as rasps and rifflers, which are used to enhance the shape into its final form.
NEEDLE FELTING WORKSHOPS with the Woolly Felters
It’ s so easy! No stitching, no glueing, no mess... just a felting needle and some wool! Come and learn the magic of needle felting with us at our new 2017 workshops. Our venues include Maidstone, Chatham, Hythe and Whitstable. Workshops run from 10am until 3.30pm All materials are included £ 60
For more information visit our website www. woollyfelters. com email: info @ woollyfelters. com or telephone 01622 620455
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