8 Winning Ways to Develop Your Artistic Talent ...

So you want to know how to develop artistic talent? Well, start by trying things out! Art can involve painting, sculpture, drama, singing, crafts … there are so many things you can try! Try different classes or simply have a go at home on your own - eventually you will discover the form that appeals to you most.

Don't expect to produce a masterpiece at your first attempt. The great artists spent years perfecting their craft. Of course, you're not aiming at reaching their level, but don't be self-conscious about your work. It doesn't matter if it's imperfect, as it will be. Just have a go, learn from your mistakes, and slowly improve your skills.

Developing your artistic skills requires persistence. As I've said, you won't get it right first time. Making mistakes is valuable, as it teaches you how to improve. So don’t be discouraged if your early efforts look unimpressive. Nobody gets it right first time!

This is closely tied in with the need for persistence. Have you heard the saying "practice makes perfect"? Okay, so you probably won't achieve perfection, but practice will help you master techniques and improve your efforts. It's like learning a language; in order to advance, you have to practice regularly.

Classes are a great way to get cracking on developing your artistic talents. There are classes to suit all levels, so don't feel embarrassed about being a beginner. You'll find that everyone else is in the same situation and probably thinking that everyone else will be so much better! Remember, it isn't a competition; you're doing this for yourself.

One way to improve your own abilities is to learn to use your eyes. Visit galleries, look at art books, admire textiles - anything can be used as inspiration. By looking around you, you can learn to cultivate your artistic appreciation, and use that to work on enhancing your own skills.

Many people think that art is only for the elite and can only be found in museums. Look around you - art and beauty are everywhere. They can be found in nature, and even in mundane posters and advertisements. So keep your eyes open, and start to look at aspects like composition and color.

Finally, you won't develop your artistic talents if you don't enjoy what you're doing. So get involved in a field that you genuinely enjoy, not something that you think you should be doing. There really is something for everyone. Above all, do it for the fun of it - that is the only thing that really matters.

You may have been put off the arts at school by being told that you were not good at it. Well, that doesn't matter one bit. We can all gain a great deal of benefit from doing art for nothing other than our own enjoyment. So what if you'll never be a great artist? Just pick up some brushes, join a choir, sit down at the potter's wheel, and have fun! Besides, you may be better than you expected. Have you always longed to take up art?