14 Life Lessons You Learned in Elementary Art Class

We look back at the old days to see what we learned as kids in art class that applies to us today.

Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

It's surprising how much glitter glue and finger paint can teach out about life. Many of the experiences you had in art class actually translate to real life application, from thinking creatively to overcoming obstacles. We've looked back at our days as novice artists to put together 14 Life Lessons You Learned in Elementary Art Class. No matter what you grew up to do, a lot of the skills you employ in everyday life you learned while breaking into your first set of crayons.

Exceed defined boundaries.

You did your most creative work when you colored outside the lines, and that free spirit has carried through to your adult life. While breaking the rules can get you into trouble, thinking outside of set boundaries is never a bad thing.

Change the system from within.

Sometimes, coloring within the lines is the way to go. Outlines can make objects stand out, and they guided you as you learned the fundamentals of art. The same goes for real life skills. You can't change the rules without learning them first.

Self-expression has its limits.

While you should feel free to express what you want, not every idea will be received with a standing ovation. Immediate responses from art teachers and peers helped you learn what was appropriate in art class. The fact that you can't draw (or say) whatever you want is a valuable life lesson.

Find your own style.

Elementary school is all about learning to follow rules. You penned the ABC's over and over; you memorized presidents' names; and you learned that 2 + 2 is always four. Art class gave you a unique opportunity to define your own rules through an individual style, a form of self-expression that you have continued to develop throughout your life.

When in doubt, mimic the experts.

Every level of art class involves some form of reproduction. By copying masterpieces, you learned how the great artists in history got their reputations. When you can't find inspiration in your own life, mimicking experts in your field can act as a starting place.

Take time for details.

It was faster to scribble some light blue lines for the sky, but ruined the whole effect of your drawing. Learning to pay attention to details and devoting your time to the little things will make anything you produce stand above the competition.

But don't be a perfectionist.

While you have to put in the grunt work to create something truly awesome, don't pressure yourself to make it absolutely perfect. Sometimes it's the imperfections that will make your work great or distinctive, and rarely do talented people live up to their own standards.

People will cheat and get away with it.

There is no way that Billy did that gorilla sculpture himself. It looked like it came out of a Planet of the Apes diorama. One of his parents or maybe Rodin himself did it for him. Still, your art teacher said nothing and even gave Billy a pat on the back.

Yes, people will cheat to get ahead, and often their laziness will pay off. Luckily you learned to cope with this early on.

Obstacles give you the opportunity to innovate.

You waited for 10 whole minutes to color in your tree drawing, but every time you reached for the green crayon, someone else grabbed it before you. Eventually you just colored the leaves pink, instead. Sometimes obstacles and challenges actually just take your work to the next level because they force you to get creative.

Don't compare yourself to others.

This is old advice, but it holds true, especially in art class. We all had that one kid in our class who produced paintings that looked like they should have been on the cover of a calendar. If you feel bad about not being able to live up to that talent, you'll never have any fun.

Roll up your sleeves.

Any five-year-old who's finger painted can tell you this: the best way to complete a project is to dive in with reckless abandon. Don't worry about getting paint all over your hands, in your hair, or on your shoes. If you immerse yourself entirely in your work, your enthusiasm will pay off.

Things aren't always what they seem.

You can either internalize the motto "things aren't what they seem," in order to appreciate the ambiguities of life, or you can take advantage of it to slack off. "Oh, that purple blob? It's a portrait of my mom." Art is up to interpretation, man.

All that glitters isn't gold.

You got to art class on the first day, and stared in awe at a wide array of colorful supplies, paints, and paper. Greedy for the coolest, most fun thing there, you reached for the glitter. But as soon as you get back to your table, it started giving you trouble. It wouldn't stick to the paper, it got in your hair, and it was all over the floor. Don't you wish you had grabbed that sturdy, predictable construction paper instead? Often, your best option is not the flashiest.

Don't be afraid to fail.

You glued your fingers together, spilled glitter all over your painting, and accidentally ripped the head off your clay dragon. Numerous pitfalls await you around every corner. Still, trust yourself to find the way. You might end up far from where you plan to go, but it's your journey. Don't trust someone else to steer your ship.