The Defining Skills For an Artist – Creativity and Originality
Creativity is the truest essence of artistry. Being creative is the ability to produce something new by applying imaginative skills and original thinking. In effect, creativity breeds originality. Therefore, a work of art depicting a fresh line of imagination (original) in an extraordinary manner can be termed as creative.
Of course, when we are talking of new lease of thoughts & ideas, they tend more to be abstract, seamless, and independent. However, creativity and originality need not necessarily mean something extreme, innovated, and novel. The existing elements can also be added a new edge by being creative and original. This implies that artists can always expand on an idea, which has been used before by adding his own vision to it, thereby creating his own original style. Pablo Picasso clearly drew inspiration from Spanish, Greek, and Roman Art, while Paul Gauguin did so from African Art. Their works can never be confused with their models, as they were unique because of their personal styles.
Tips for Creativity and Originality
A few pointers for having the creative juices flowing include:
o Open Minded – Creative people are generally less conventional and open to new experiences and ideas. Set yourself free. You should not let rules bind your thinking and hinder your imagination. To get creative, it is important that you free your mind from any set norms. Ongoing exploration and experimentation should be the system. Stained glass and manuscript illuminations have always found favor with Paul Gauguin.
o Think Out of the Box – Think unique. Brainstorm; push your imagination to discover new things. Keep yourself triggered to think with even the routine things around. Henri Laurens, who learned ‘Cubism’ from Pablo Picasso, applied its concepts to sculpting and went on to create some amazing masterpieces
o Take Risk -Take chances. The evolution of art over the years vouches of great creative risks taken blended with uniqueness and non-traditional essence. The highly controversial ‘Fauvist’ movement of 1905, though short lived, changed the conventional way the artists used colors in painting.
o Knowledge – Artists need to keep learning and increasing their knowledge, in order to widen their horizons and discover new expressive platforms. Painters, like Gustave Moreau and Van Gogh, drew inspiration from Byzantine enamels and early mosaics. They even studied Persian, Indian, and Japanese prints.
Conscious or unconscious insight, tangible or intangible, practically anything can act as stimulus for an artist. Stay intrigued, curious, flexible, and a risk taker. Mix & portray your own blends and enjoy art!