Image via Complex Original
Listen, we're not trying to make you into something or someone that you're not. We just know what it's like to be hanging out with a group of people that seem to know a lot more about art than we do, but we have figured out that everyone around us is just as clueless.
The difference between those who appear to know and those who don't is that the former group is good at pretending they know things. Sometimes we need to know how to fake it until we get what we want. This might be an internship or simply a friendship with that cool art student that sits on the other side of class. Either way, you might actually end up learning a bit more simply by pretending to already know it.
We present you with the 15 Ways To Appear More Artistic Than You Really Are, a rookie's guide to participating in the art world without knowing that much about it.
RELATED: A Timeline of Every Piece From Banksy's "Better Out Than In" New York Residency
RELATED: Art Trends That Made Us Feel Some Type of Way at FIAC 2013 in Paris
Be sure to criticize everything you see in front of you.
As an artist, or an artistic person, you have to be a critical thinker. Even if you haven't gained the critical thinking skills yet, you should train yourself by learning an academic vocabulary and starting to criticize everything you see in front of you. Even if you don't know what is coming out of your mouth, you will seem like you know what you're saying.
Start a Tumblr if you haven't already.
Tumblr is the perfect platform for creative types. Its micro-blogging format makes it a great source of inspirational images and texts, while making it easy to share works of your own to your followers. A lot of artists have garnered visibility through their Tumblr following. Make sure you have a simple layout and to update frequently.
Watch The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross.
If you do not know who Bob Ross is, please drop whatever you're doing and go on YouTube to see the best thing that has ever happened to the Internet. This guy walks you through the basics of painting as if he has taken five different drugs at once. You really just have to see it for yourself.
Go to your local independent cinema.
Part of being artistic is being on your film A-game. Independent cinemas need your money the most, so you should try spending your time there. They also have the best selection of movies that will feed your artistic needs. We're not sure if Ender's Game will satisfy those desires as much as Blue is the Warmest Color will...
Avoid brand names and chain stores.
It helps our economy if we support local brands instead of giant chains. Wearing branded clothing disrupts the aesthetic of an artistic outfit. Sometimes it is better to tone it down, so we suggest wearing one at a time. That way people will see you as someone who focuses on art and design rather than cashing in on overconsumerism.
Consider purchasing a camera that is not your iPhone.
We will not deny the artistic capabilities of the iPhone. On the other hand, there is something about learning the technicalities of photography that ensures a successful and creative image. We suggest purchasing a DSLR or a film camera to start practicing and understanding the science behind capturing the perfect picture. After looking at images with more than 9 mega-pixels, you will remember why people still use these cameras in the first place.
Attend as many art events as your body can physically handle.
You will have to sacrifice your physical stamina and sanity to attend as many art events as possible. This is the case if you truly want to get your foot into the art world or curate an Instagram that effectively uses the hashtag #artlife. They're a great place to discover new artists and make connections that can lead to an important friendship, internship, or job.
Curate a solid Instagram profile.
Speaking of Instagram, it is the epicenter of artsy social media mavens, so you need to master it if you want to create a concrete reputation as an artistic person. Their 3x3 grid is helpful to ensure good, formal composition by abiding to the rule of thirds. Make sure to not overuse filters and selfies for the sake of others, please. Try to find interesting details in everyday life that highlight your creative eye.
Know more artist names than Andy Warhol and Frida Kahlo.
This sort of goes without saying. Although Warhol, Kahlo, and all the other masters were certainly pioneers in art, you will seem ignorant if you can't name a few artists off your Art History 101 roster. We recommend getting on Tumblr or Artsy to discover new, contemporary artists that do not necessarily have the same fame as someone like Dalí. It doesn't mean that they're not worth taking a gander at.
Put coffee table books all over your home.
High resolution pictures and minimal text—everyone loves a good coffee table book. And you don't need to be old to own a few! They're great for entertaining and they make you and your apartment seem very sophisticated. They are also a great excuse to find about new, interesting artists.
Buy affordable art (that looks expensive).
Your living space should connect with your lifestyle. You don't need to spend an astonishing amount of money to put art up in your apartment either. There are several websites out there that allow you to get your hands on art for a fair price. You will feel more inspired every day and your friends will think that you mean business.
Keep art supplies around the house, whether or not you actually use them.
You never know when you'll be in an artistic emergency, so we highly recommend keeping supplies around just in case. Inspiration might hit one day and BAM you will wish you had all those acrylics. The supplies will also serve as decoration while you're not using them. Killing two birds with one stone.
Keep a fancy pen and a moleskine with you at all times.
Any artist will tell you that you should keep a notebook and pen on you at all times. You should always be prepared to jot any ideas down before you forget them. People will see you with yours and understand immediately that you mean artistic business.
Stop making references to reality TV shows.
Television can be creatively stifling, so we recommend avoiding it for the most part. But we can't just cut you off cold turkey. You might secretly love The Real Housewives of Orange County, but we would avoid talking about it with your artistic counterparts. It might be great television, but it makes you appear as though you don't have the critical thought to understand the implications of reality TV.
Look the part.
The beauty of fashion is that you can let people know what kind of person you are before you open your mouth. There aren't rules to dress artistically, but you should make sure that you don't look boring. Play with shapes, textures, and colors to create your outfit. You can consult Roger White's How Artists Must Dress for serious tips on dressing like an artist.