Most artists suggest that having strong technical knowledge automatically makes them valuable and ensures success. However, our experience shows that it's not enough. Besides tech background, you need to have a passion for digital art. Well, it can be extremely hard to find a person who possesses both. That's why 3D-Ace developed a list of prompts that can help clients to figure out where ideas come from and artists can learn how to improve their performance. The following approaches and tips can be applied to any project, personal or commercial no matter how complex they seem to be. Besides, they can be an excellent helper in designing your best animation and visual effects.

2d art

Tip #1: How To Plan - Take It Personal

When you are aware of a project the very first step is to visualize the idea in every fine detail. Try to imagine the full picture: what image you want to create, what story is hiding behind this scene, what emotions it should evoke, what a person should feel after. Tightly link the image with emotions so they will form a strong bond.

This part of art process is personal and you task is step into the future beholder's shoes and think of what he or she would like to experience. Start this stage by careful planning, develop a very clear idea of the future image and examine your personal preference and reasons for creating it. This approach will ensure that your project is balancing on a creative edge until the job is done.

Tip #2: Where To Find Inspiration - Explore The World Around You

It's the simplest thing that ever can be - to draw ideas from the sensations and create references to the outer world. Experts state that these references can ensure more believable and realistic picture. For that reason, artists have to gather as many experiences as they can. One of the best ways is to find inspiration and gather references is to take a field trip. Such measures help artists to dive deeply into the atmosphere of the world and, thus, awake the creative side, but to grant a supply of real-world references. This practice is often supported by big animation studios that arrange the journey to the places that are related to the project directly or may serve as a source of inspiration for artists. It ensures realism and sense of a defined style, it teaches how to combine things that seem like they aren't meant for each other, and introduces artists to the potential audience.

For instance, a simple walk to the downtown of the city and looking at the architecture can help a visual artist to receive the necessary information with useful details and immerse in the right mood.

Another good practice is gathering a 'reference library' in the form of sketches, images, photographs or ideas from different places you've been at in order to use it later when the appropriate project will appear on the horizon. Add to every piece of art personal note about specific elements that could be useful in the future.

In addition, this habit will facilitate the development speed and will rapidly turn you on a creativity waves.

Tip #3: Where To Work - Software Selection Dilemma

Every tool has its advantages and disadvantages and sometimes the program that served you well for years, becomes not the best choice for a specific project. So after you have a clear idea of what you are going to draw, the next stage is to decide on a platform for visual art creation. Every software comes along with various challenges and the choice is yours what tool to choose. 

Carefully examine the requirements for the project and ask yourself the following questions:

  • What program can help me meet the need of my client?
  • Is this program good from my point of view?
  • Do I know how to use this program?
  • Do I enjoy working in it?

Just remember that whatever program you are going you use before choosing it, make sure it correlates with project specifications and demands and it will allow you to achieve the best results. Do not use the software just because it's 'on sale' or popular, choose the one that works best for you even if no one else likes it.

Tip #4: How To Improve Art Quality - Analyze Works Of Great Artists

A lot of top visual studios these days creates such amazing art that you hold your breath while looking at their works. Take Pixar Animation Studio, for example, its artists provide pictures of astonishing quality with perfect physics, texture and thought-out details. The look of characters they create make us experience specific emotions. You, as an artist, can find additional inspiration in their creative work. Just relax, play on the movies you like and watch for something you will like, for example, a character or a background. After you spot something interesting for you, try to figure out how an author achieved this particular color, texture, structure or whatever. Include the new knowledge into your 'references library' or implement it right away in your new project. It's one of the easiest and yet the most effective ways to improve your skills, learn something new and become more proficient in your field.

One more good way to gain more knowledge is to study the concept art literature, for instance, books or journals. Such books are often focused on the explanation of the concept and how the creative process works. They are a priceless source of insights and ideas for anybody who wants to get better personal performance.


As you can see, being a qualified artist doesn't mean being a good image creator. Skills are not the main determining factor in this industry. To become a respectful artist, it's necessary to be idea's generator and a person who can offer out-of-the-box solutions. For that reason, use the tips above to improve your creativity while building your technical skills. If you are be able to handle it, you can find yourself prospering in every important aspect of visual art.

3D-Ace is an experienced company that provides clients with high-quality services. Our qualified team creates amazing 3D models and 2D images according to all provided requirements. 3D-Ace talented experts with strong experience in modeling and custom 3D solutions are ready to help you to implement your wildest dreams into reality.

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