There are many ways to see the world. If you are looking for new ways to broaden your perspective, start learning to see color shape and value like an artist.  

What does it mean to see like an artist? It means viewing shape, color, contours, every day items and more with eyes of potential and beauty. It really is not hard to see like an artist. You just have to train your mind to think in this way.  

Learning to See Shape

• Learning to see shape 

Seeing shapes around us every day is so very easy. We are so used to seeing those familiar shapes in our day to day that it becomes second nature to us. Triangles, squares, circles, and more! Teaching yourself to see these shapes again can be fun and imaginative, helping you to see the world more creatively.  

Look around you for 5 shapes near you at this moment. Take a pencil and paper and draw the shape you see in front of you. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just a general idea. You can even just draw a triangle, square or circle if you don’t feel confident enough drawing the actual shape. This exercise will enable you to see much clearer every day shapes and how everything around us is a shape.  

Learning to See Color

There are many more varieties of color in one single object than first meets the eye. When you really begin to look at an object with the eyes of an artist you will come to be familiar with the colors that stand out and the more subtle variations.  

Look at an object and squint your eyes, can you see more colors than you first thought? Next, study your object closely and at a distance. You will notice the warm and cool colors which the light brings out and how the value of shading and shadows cause color variations as well.  

If you enjoy playing with paint, find a color wheel at your local art store, some acryclic paint and learn to mix new colors. Try this free tutorial of mine to help you mix colors with confidence!  

Learning to See Contours and Lines

Contours can also be described as lines. Lines are everywhere too just like shapes. The lines of a tree’s leaves, the lines of a house or building, the contours of a human hand are all great examples of how line and contour can help your artist’s eye.  

Take a piece of paper or sketchbook and head outside and look around for any line or contour examples. There’s a lot in nature itself. The edges of a bird nest are often lined with grass and twigs. Perfect line subjects. Rocks have beautiful curves and edges that are great contour line examples.  

 So you see that all these ways of looking at the world can enhance your creativity and your every day viewing experience. Learning to see color, shape and value like an artist teaches you to view the world with a much wider and colorful lens. Have fun this summer doing these exercises and learn to see with new eyes!