Hey there, fellow art enthusiasts! Are you feeling a bit left out of the NFT art craze because you lack traditional artistic talent? Fear not, my friends! Welcome to the ultimate guide to creating NFT Trash Art, even if you can barely draw a stick figure.
What is NFT Trash Art?
First things first, let’s define what NFT trash art is: The NFT Trash Art movement isn’t your traditional recycling art movement where artists use trash or recycled materials to create art. Instead, NFT and crypto trash artists use their art to question the status quo of what art is and who can be and artist. A common way of doing this is done through trash-themed gifs and memes that pokes fun at the art word and its perceived elitism.
The term “Trash Art” was believed to have been coined by the digital artist Barbara Tosti, who saw the movement as a bit of fun where people created low-effort gifs and memes using apps like PhotoMosh. Trash art collections began to emerge on marketplaces like SuperRare and Rarible in 2020. But, the real turning point was when the artist Robness got suspended from Superrare for his trash gif called ‘64 Gallon Toter’. This caused an uproar in the NFT trash art community and fueled the movement’s success.
In essence,the trash art movement is a battle against consumerism and the fine art world. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t have to be expensive or untouchable, it can be fun, weird, and can even be made out of garbage!
Creating Your Own NFT Trash Art (Even If You Lack Talent)
Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “But I don’t have any artistic talent whatsoever! How can I create NFT trash art?” Well, fear not, my friend! I’m here to walk you through the process step by step.
Step One: Choose a Theme or Concept
The first step in creating NFT trash art is to choose a theme or concept. This can be anything that speaks to you, whether it’s a personal interest, a political statement, or just a random idea that pops into your head.
For example, let’s say you’re a huge fan of cats. You could create an NFT trash art piece that features a collage of different cat images, overlaid with bright colors and random shapes. Or maybe you want to make a statement poking fun at the elitism in the art world. You could create an NFT trash art piece that features a photograph of a trash can, overlaid with graphic elements and a bold text saying “Expensive Art”, or something along those lines.
The key here is to let your creativity run wild and choose a theme or concept that speaks to you. If you can, try to incorporate humor in the art work. That is what makes the meme art so popular. And don’t worry about whether it’s “good” or “bad” art. That’s not the point of NFT trash art!
Image: Robness’ vault page at SuperRare, the (im-)famous NFT Trash Aritst who got his piece removed (and reinstated) from SuperRare. Image source: Collector’s page at SuperRare.
Step Two: Utilize Basic Design Principles
Okay, so you’ve chosen a theme or concept. Now it’s time to start creating! But wait, you’re not an artist, right? How are you supposed to make something that looks good?
Well, here’s a secret: you don’t have to be a traditional artist to create NFT trash art. But you do need to understand some basic design principles to make your piece visually appealing.
Let’s break it down into three main categories: color, composition, and contrast:
Color: Color is a powerful tool in art and can help evoke different emotions and moods. When creating your NFT trash art piece, think about the colors you want to use and how they work together. You don’t have to stick to a strict color palette, but try to be intentional with your choices.
Composition: Composition refers to the way elements are arranged within the artwork. When creating your NFT trash art piece, think about how you want to arrange your images, text, and other graphic elements. You can experiment with different layouts until you find one that feels right.
Contrast: Contrast refers to the difference between light and dark, or between different colors. When creating your NFT trash art piece, think about how you can use contrast to make certain elements stand out. For example, you could use a bright yellow background with dark text to create a bold contrast.
Step Three: Incorporate Different Mediums and Techniques
Okay, so you’ve got your theme or concept and you understand some basic design principles. Now it’s time to start creating!
The beauty of NFT trash art is that you can incorporate different mediums and techniques to create something truly unique. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Digital Drawing and Painting: If you’re comfortable with digital art tools like Photoshop or Procreate, you can create a digital drawing or painting for your NFT trash art piece. Don’t worry about making it perfect – remember, imperfection is key!
Collage and Mixed Media: Collage and mixed media are great techniques to use in NFT trash art because they allow you to combine different images and textures to create something new. You can cut out images from magazines or newspapers, or even use your own photographs. Then, layer them on top of each other to create a collage. You can also experiment with adding other materials, like paint or fabric, to create a mixed media piece.
Photography: If you’re a fan of photography, you can create an NFT trash art piece by taking a photograph and manipulating it in some way. For example, you could add text overlays, play with the colors or lighting, or add other graphic elements to create a unique piece.
The key here is to experiment and have fun with different mediums and techniques. Don’t be afraid to try something new or unconventional. After all, that’s what NFT trash art is all about!
Now that you’ve created your NFT trash art piece, it’s time to embrace any imperfections or “mistakes” that may have occurred during the creative process.
In traditional art, mistakes are often seen as something to be avoided at all costs. But in NFT trash art, mistakes can be embraced as happy accidents that add to the overall charm of the piece.
For example, maybe you accidentally smudged some of the paint while creating your NFT trash art piece. Instead of trying to fix it, embrace the smudge and use it as a design element. Or maybe you added too much text to the piece and it’s a bit overwhelming. Instead of deleting some of the text, embrace the chaos and make it part of the overall design.
Remember, NFT trash art is all about creating something unique and interesting, even if it’s not perfect. Embrace imperfections and “mistakes” as part of the creative process.
Step Five: Tips for Selling NFT Trash Art
So you’ve created your NFT trash art piece and you’re ready to sell it. But how do you go about it? Here are a few tips to get you started:
Choosing a Marketplace: There are a number of different marketplaces where you can sell your NFT art, including OpenSea, Rarible, and SuperRare. Do some research to find the marketplace that’s right for you.
Setting a Reasonable Price: When setting a price for your NFT trash art piece, consider factors like the size of the piece, the complexity of the design, and the rarity of the piece. Be realistic about your pricing – you don’t want to price yourself out of the market, but you also don’t want to undervalue your work.
Marketing and Promoting Your Artwork: Once you’ve listed your NFT trash art piece for sale, you’ll need to market and promote it to potential buyers. Use social media to share images of your piece, and consider reaching out to NFT collectors or art enthusiasts who might be interested in your work.
Networking with Other Artists and Collectors: Networking with other artists and collectors can be a great way to promote your NFT trash art and connect with potential buyers. Attend NFT art events and forums, and don’t be afraid to reach out to other artists and collectors to build relationships and share your work.
Conclusion: Great Ideas Go a Long Way!
And there you have it, folks! The ultimate guide to creating NFT trash art, even if you lack traditional artistic talent. Remember, the key to creating NFT trash art is to embrace imperfection and embrace the unconventional. Don’t worry about whether your piece is “good” or “bad” art – just focus on creating something unique and interesting. After all, merely great, creative ideas go a long way!
Author Bio: I’m Robin and on this website, I share everything I’ve learned since getting into NFTs in 2021. I have a background in research and I’ve been in crypto for several years. You can read more about me here.
