Teaching Yourself Art Through a Project-Based Methodology

Many artists proudly or timidly call themselves self-taught artists, often as a way of distinguishing their path from those with a formal art education. And while there is a grain of truth that not attending an art school means you are not following an institutional curriculum, the reality is that all artists are self-taught to some extent. Failure is an option and a path alone; failing only means starting again. No matter where or how you begin, the process of becoming an artist always requires teaching yourself, either through trial and error, through observing others, through experimenting, through researching, through doing. Teaching yourself art is not just about acquiring skills but about learning how to learn, question, and create structure within uncertainty and imagination.

A teacher can demonstrate a technique, but you will never truly understand it if you do not try it yourself. Watching a video, reading a book, or attending a workshop can introduce you to an idea, but unless you engage with it actively, that knowledge remains theoretical and untested. Artists do stuff; art is learned by doing. The difference between attending an academy and teaching yourself is not necessarily the quality of the learning but the structure of it. In an institution, you follow a pre-designed system and engage with the academy’s methodology, history, and forms of validation. Outside of that, structuring your learning process falls entirely on you.

So, how do you teach yourself art in a way that is not just scattered attempts at learning bits and pieces? The key is developing a method. One of the most simple and efficient methods is working through an “Artistic Project.” This self-designed, structured way of learning allows you to go beyond passive learning and engage deeply with a subject through direct action, experimentation, and reflection. The depth of your inquiry determines the depth of your results. If you only skim the surface, the outcome will reflect that. But suppose you fully immerse yourself in the process, asking meaningful questions, pushing boundaries, and allowing yourself to make mistakes. In that case, you will uncover unexpected insights into your technique and creative capacities. 

Uncertainty and necessity act as co-creators, forcing you to solve problems intuitively and adapt fluidly. In doing so, you cultivate a mindset that sees each obstacle as an opportunity for invention and each creation as a stepping stone toward the next. By setting up a creative project, you give yourself a clear direction. You start with a question, an interest, or a challenge. You begin researching, looking at references, watching others, and reading about techniques. Then, through experimentation, you test out what works and what does not; you engage with processes, and you refine your processes. Keeping track of your progress through writing, sketches, or documentation allows you to see where you started and what you have learned. 

Teaching yourself art through a project-based methodology is like embarking on a personal odyssey, a creative act of discovery and invention. By designing and committing to an Artistic Project, you allow uncertainty and necessity to guide you, transforming them into tools and prompts for discovery and growth.

Choose Your Anchor: A Question, Theme, or Provocation

Begin by identifying a concept, question, or curiosity that intrigues you. This will be your "anchor," giving the project a center of gravity without restricting its direction. It could be abstract, such as:

"What does longing look like in physical form?"

"How do natural materials decay, and can decay itself be art?"

"Can the act of mapping a city also map the mind?"

Alternatively, choose a necessity, a medium, or a resource you already can access. Necessity limits options and pushes you to innovate. For instance:

"What can I create with only charcoal and found objects?"

"How can I make art using digital tools I have never mastered?"

Write this anchor down; it will serve as your compass when uncertainty becomes overwhelming.

Define the Rules of Engagement (But Leave Room for Chaos)

Establish loose parameters for the project that balance structure with freedom:

Timeline: Set a rough duration (e.g., two months or six weeks). Deadlines create momentum but do not cling to them rigidly.

Medium or Methodology: Will this be primarily drawing, sculpture, sound, performance, or hybrid? Allow the project to challenge your comfort zone.

Deliverables: Will it culminate in a tangible piece, an ephemeral performance, or a collection of exploratory studies?

These "rules" are not meant to constrain you but to serve as scaffolding to prevent decision paralysis. If there are no rules, there are also no rules to break.

Immerse Yourself in Context and Inspiration

Treat the first phase of your project as an artistic excavation:

Research Across Disciplines: Dive into art history, philosophy, science, or mythology connected to your theme. For example, if you're exploring decay, study the works of Arte Povera artists, examine entropy in physics, or read poetry about impermanence.

Collect References: Build a library of images, writings, objects, or music that resonates with your anchor theme. Pin them to a wall or create a digital folder.

Experiment Without Purpose: Play with materials, textures, or sounds without trying to "make art." Let yourself stumble across unexpected techniques or ideas.

Document everything: sketch, write, record. This process involves gathering threads, not tying them into a neat bow.

Embark on the Work: Start Small, Then Expand

Begin with micro-experiments. Let necessity dictate your next steps:

Daily or Weekly Tasks: Set mini-goals to create one sketch, sculpture, or draft daily, focusing on a specific question or material. For instance: "What happens if I paint only with natural pigments I make myself?"

Iterative Exploration: Build on what emerges. If a fragment of an idea feels alive, follow it. Refine or scale it up into something more significant.

Incorporate Uncertainty: Introduce randomness or constraints intentionally. For example, use weather, chance encounters, or blindfolded gestures as part of your process. These “disruptions” often reveal hidden layers of creativity.

Reflect and Recalibrate (Let the Work Speak Back)

The beauty of project-based learning lies in the feedback loop between creation and reflection:

Dialogue with Your Work: Spend time with what you’ve created and ask:

“What surprises me about this?”

“What’s missing? What’s too much?”

“What does the work want to become next?”

Write about the Process: Document your thoughts, frustrations, and breakthroughs. Treat your journal as a parallel piece of art, a companion to the project.

Course-Correct if Necessary: If your anchor no longer feels compelling, reframe it or shift your focus. Art thrives on fluidity.

Engage with Others: Show, Share, Discuss

While this is a self-taught journey, sharing your work introduces fresh perspectives:

Present Your Work-in-Progress: Share sketches, prototypes, or fragments with peers or online communities. Their reactions may spark new ideas.

Ask Questions, Not for Validation: Instead of seeking approval, ask: "What does this evoke in you?" 

Collaborate Temporarily: Invite someone to respond to or interpret your work. This external input can shatter creative stagnation.

Synthesize and Conclude (But Leave the Door Open)

As the project nears its conclusion:

Create the "Final" Piece: Use the momentum of your experimentation to develop a coherent (or intentionally incoherent!) outcome. Whether it’s a series of paintings, a short film, or a site-specific installation, honor what the process has revealed.

Write a Reflection or Manifesto: Capture what you learned—not just about art, but about yourself. This reflection might lead directly to your next project.

Archive Your Process: Treat the experiments, false starts, and unfinished ideas as valuable artifacts. They may plant seeds for future work.

Begin Again: Embrace the Cyclical Nature of Growth

No project is truly finished; it simply morphs into the next phase of your creative evolution. Apply your knowledge to a new question, theme, or medium. With each cycle, you deepen your understanding of both art and yourself.

*Disclaimer: These texts are a point of view, they are meant to inspire and guide you as a departure point for your professionalization, or perhaps a stepping stone to keep you on a critical stance and liberate your creativity. As an artist and educator, I try to approach art matters with care, openness and curiosity, feel free to send me a message if you find mistakes, misconceptions or milestones.