The art of physical media and why it’s not too late for you: A beginner’s guide to arts and crafts

OPINION | ARTS | HANGA / CRAFT

Written by Vik Sazhina (she/they) | @vik.sazhina | Contributing Writer

Illustration by Ann Mariya Shammy (she/her) | Contributing Artist

If you thought we were done painting sunsets on our calculators, decorating old CDs in fluorescent pink cowprint and making stickers out of nothing but Scotch tape and paper, think again. From the rise of AI-generated art in social media trends to the fall in popularity of DIY as a recreational activity, right now is the best time to dust off your sketchbook and get your knitting needles out. 

Whether you are experienced in the art of physical media or have none whatsoever, there is no shortage of crafty activities to choose from that don’t require professional training or expensive supplies. Getting your hands busy is not only an amazing distraction and stress-relief, but the sense of gratification you get from finally finishing a project is simply unmatched. 

My own craft journey began with a pack of hand-me-down colouring pencils and a couple of blank pages, drawing Five Nights at Freddy’s characters that I desperately attempted to copy from a Google image on the back of discarded printing. Yes, it all begins with fan art - and if you struggle with coming up with original ideas for your art, drawing your favourite fictional characters is an amazing place to start (if you are also unhealthily obsessed with your favourite pieces of media). I couldn’t afford fancier art supplies until I began earning my own money, and even then, I quickly realised I had no use for them. Although my skills have drastically improved, all I really needed was a pencil and paper. Using what you already have takes the pressure off you to master your recently purchased art supplies from the get-go, as you’ve just started, so it’s normal to make mistakes. 

Without professional training or guidance, knowing how to start or bring ideas to life can be a challenge. In my experience, the best learning tool is emulating what you see. Creating work by looking at existing media or artists is a good way to get into drawing, so try observing objects around you and recreate what you see to the best of your ability. You can use any medium you want – anything from polymer clay to simple pencil and pen drawing. This is the best way to not only grasp perspective, shadows and anatomy of objects, but also establish a “blueprint” to work from when you find yourself struggling with where to begin. A personal favourite of mine is to take a walk down to the beach with my sketchbook and attempt to draw a landscape, which could not be more out of my comfort zone, yet was extremely helpful when it came to figuring out perspectives and backgrounds. Start with simple shapes, like a box or a cylinder, and work your way up in complexity. If you’re crocheting or knitting, use the clothes you already wear as a reference for your outline sketches.

Now that spring is here and the winter blues are finally behind us, this is the best time to take your crafty activities outside. Take your art from your bedroom to your backyard, or, at your local park, on your commute to uni, even just to a different room where you usually spend your downtime. Some of my best work was produced in unconventional settings, and switching up the setting can do amazing things for your productivity. When I first got into crocheting – and could only just about manage single crochet – I would add a row or two to my scarf while on the bus to work and back, until it finally became something. Whether you choose to just take your art down to the kitchen or your outing to a local beach, sometimes it’s easier to feel inspired in unlikely places. 

One of the best things about getting into crafty hobbies is the sheer amount of both online and offline communities that you can get involved in, and it is arguably my favourite part about the art of physical media; it is inherently collaborative. It is the best way to hear from those who are more experienced and willing to share advice and offer encouragement along the way. I have had a fair share of art accounts that, while short-lived, were very memorable experiences, and the array of creatives just like me I met online encouraged me to continue even when it felt like I was getting nowhere. Whether you’re interested in making art, bracelets, or clothes, there will always be a community for you. Best place to start? Look into clubs on our very own campus – you don’t have to go far to meet like-minded people looking to get creative. 

Learning to accept frustration as an essential part of the creative process. Art takes time and patience, and at the end of the day, there is no shame in seeking help. If you’re finding crocheting the magic ring or drawing a side profile is proving difficult, start with a basic stitch or a bit of anatomy practice beforehand. I have always made the mistake of jumping straight to the difficult projects first without any basic skills, because my ego convinced me that the tutorial videos made it look easy (in short, those projects have never made it out of their beginning stage). Begin with the basics, even when you think it’s not going to look as impressive as a much more elaborate version would do, and stick with it until you feel like you’re ready to move on to the next stage. 

This is not meant to be a rigid set of instructions, but rather a flexible and, as the title suggests, encouraging guide for those looking to get involved in creating physical media, because beginning something new is always the hardest part of the process. 

You can start by:

1. Finding what you like: Take some time to research what it is you are actually interested in in the realm of crafty hobbies, whether it be sketching, clay-making, or embroidery. Note what kind of materials you need, and whether you can source some of these at home to ease yourself into the process.

2. Beginning with the basics: To reiterate my previous point, jumping straight into the complicated projects will often end in frustration, and ultimately, you may give up before you even begin. Familiarise yourself with the basics of your craft with simple patterns and minimal steps, and as you progress, increase the difficulty and explore personalised experimentation in what interests you. 

3. Get amongst online and offline communities: Crafts are meant to be enjoyed by a collective, and there are an abundance of people with mutual interests who can give you guidance and motivation along the way. It doesn’t hurt to put yourself forward!

There is so much joy in creating things by hand and using your imagination to bring your ideas to life, as opposed to having a machine do it for you. In the age of AI and the question of whether true creativity will prevail, I encourage you to actively engage with physical media, no matter your skillset, because human-made will never be replaced by the artificial.