How Creating Art Can Reduce Anxiety, Stress and Addiction

8/26/2020

How, exactly, can creating art help someone deal with negative emotions such as anxiety and stress? What happens in an art therapy session? Why are holistic, comprehensive approaches for managing inner turmoil more effective than treatments that only revolve around talking or taking medication?

As an artist sharing content online, I've made it a priority to not only share helpful tips and tutorials that help others progress their technical skills, but also articles and videos providing insights and habits I've set in place that have allowed me to improve my mindset and wellbeing.

Our physical and mental health permeate, quite literally, into all areas of our lives (personal, professional, interpersonal).

Plus, being an artist can not only be incredibly challenging in a variety of ways, but lonely too.

In the past, I've shared how I've struggled with Generalized Anxiety Disorder since my teenage years and how, since making my mental/physical wellbeing a priority and started embracing more positive practices and routines, I've become way happier, as well as more focused and energized.

This, of course, has helped me be a lot more productive, which has led to much greater success with my art creation and business overall.

Alongside my art creation and everything I do revolving around my business, I'm constantly reading, researching and putting to use new information that I feel could help me improve my life, as a working artist and educator, even more.

And I'll keep sharing with you guys, in hopes that some of you may find it helpful too.

Because of the current worldwide pandemic, its negative effects on our economies and the social injustices/inequalities that are becoming more and more evident, a lot of us are struggling with negative emotions such as worry and overwhelm at a deeper level than we normally would.

This is why I'm incredibly happy to be sharing an article written for us by professional writer, Patrick Bailey, who has studied the fields of mental health and addiction for years.

Patrick's article helps clarify what happens during an art therapy session and why creative activities are such a great way to cope with negative emotions.

This information is enlightening even for those of us who don't struggle with severe mental illnesses.

Without much further ado, let's get into his article!

How Creating Art Can Reduce Conditions Such as Anxiety, Stress, and Addiction

by Patrick Bailey

Chronic stress and anxiety are leading underlying causes of substance use disorders (SUDs) or addiction. These conditions can make it more difficult for you or your loved one to quit.

In the context of addiction treatment, creating art can help you relax and be more willing to address drug or alcohol use disorder. Art therapy provides a healthy, alternative way to cope with stress, anxiety, and other conditions that often co-occur with substance abuse.

What is Creative Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of experiential therapy that has been used to treat substance abuse since the 1950's. There is scientific evidence that backs up the efficacy of using creative expression to confront past trauma that triggers stress or anxiety, or leads to self-destructive behaviors.

Substance abuse is often caused or exacerbated by co-occurring conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Alcohol and drug rehab centers are still using art therapy as part of a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to substance abuse treatment.

Treatment specialists initially focused on using evidence-based treatments such as medication therapy, behavioral therapy, and contingency management as recovery tools.

Today, holistic therapies such as art, poetry, music, and dance help individuals in rehab to connect with their emotions and express them in various ways.

Other forms of creative expressions are:

Crafting
Art journaling
Creating collages or mosaics
Drawing, painting, or sculpting emotions

These and other creative activities also provide a way for people to process
negative emotions and anxieties that may show up during their treatment.

How Creating Art Can Reduce Anxiety, Stress and Addiction Erika Lancaster Art Blog

The Role of Art Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment

Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy, but talking is not always the most effective way to express the emotions that emerge in the recovery process.

Artistic creations give you a less stressful way to describe your emotions and help your therapist better understand your recovery needs. Your therapist may also encourage you to discuss them during individual talk therapy and group therapy.

The ultimate goal of using arts-based methods for rehabilitation is to improve the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of the person.

The creative processes also are a good addiction management technique that can make recovery easier by:

Providing a safe, non-addictive way of emotional release
Helping the client admit the addiction
Motivating change in behaviors
Stimulating a desire to sober up
Reducing the shame and guilt of addiction

Artistic activities help by acting as a door that opens up to a place or part of themselves from which patients are running.

There is a type of art therapy called incident drawing that lets you illustrate your feelings and experiences of feeling out of control or self-destructive via drawing.

Seeing the images on paper is a powerful way to help you connect the dots and see the role stress and anxiety play in substance abuse.

Finally recognizing that addiction is a problem makes you more willing to stay in treatment and commit to long-term sobriety.

What Happens During Art Therapy Sessions?

Art therapy is facilitated by a professional art therapist, someone who is trained in using art as a medium for healing and recovery. Therapy takes place at an inpatient or outpatient treatment center in a structured and supportive environment.

Interestingly, you don't need to have a special talent or a background in the arts to get involved. The purpose of art therapy isn’t to produce quality artwork but to help clients become healthy.

You only need to be open to the idea of speaking your truth using art-based methods when words alone cannot explain it all. The art therapist needs to be ready for all the mixed emotions that may emerge from the process.

Expect your therapist to provide a variety of art supplies such as paper, canvas, cloth, paint, crayons, and clay. Don't worry. There is no need to create anything that looks perfect; the focus will be on the creative process rather than the finished product.

Some programs allow you to create your art pieces independently or work on a group project with others. The program structure and your schedule will help determine the approach.

After you're finished, your therapist may interpret your creation or encourage you to focus on the healing the process brings. You may be asked to explain how you feel the art—painting, drawing, or crafting, for example—helps you.

Enrolling in an Art Therapy Program

Art therapy helps clients in rehab overcome addiction and live a healthy life.

It allows you to release stress, anger, and frustration, regain confidence, build self-acceptance, and improve self-esteem.

Many addiction treatment centers offer a creative arts program as a part of a comprehensive treatment program that addresses the "whole person."

Other modalities include individual therapy, group therapy, 12-Step meetings, family counseling, fitness, nutritional counseling, and recreational outings.

When looking for a treatment facility, it's important to consider one that uses an integrative approach to recovery.

Sources:
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07421656.2016.1166832?journalCode=uart20 - Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/evidence-based-approaches-to-drug-addiction-treatment - Evidence-Based Approaches to Drug Addiction Treatment
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4268880/#R2 - The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Sending out a huge thank you to Patrick for this enlightening article.

To find more of his helpful wellness articles, visit his website here.

Cheers!

Essential Self-Care Tips for Artists and Creatives

Must-Know Tips for the Self-Taught Artist

Artistic Perfectionism and How to Overcome It

0 Comments

What Can You Do With an Art Major? Turning an Art Degree Into Income

1/31/2020

2 Comments

Is going to art school a waste of time and money? Can a person even make a stable living with an art degree? What paths can an art major open up for us?

No to the first (depending on the school you go to). Yes to the second (I'm living proof of it!). Whichever path you desire would be my answer to the third, as long as art is truly your passion, and you're willing to step out of your comfort zone consistently and work really hard.

*Most of the time while holding a regular job that will enable you to pay your bills and put food on the table while investing in art supplies, developing your skills and building your name/audience.

In today's guest post, emerging freelance writer Ruby Clarkson who's written for Jackson's Art and is absolutely obsessed with writing, theatre and visual arts, will help shed some light on the many paths an art degree can help open up.

But, before getting into her article, I'd like to share a few things with you.

The myth of the 'starving artist' totally irks me.

So does the myth of the crazy/depressed artist and the myth that artists create their best work from a place of pain and misery.

I create my best work when I'm in a calm, positive state of mind. And, like I shared in this blog post, I believe in taking care of myself mentally and physically because this enables me to consistently make forward progress.

But I digress.

If you want to make a living as an artist in the future, know that it's possible, whether you decide to go to art school or not.

Today more than ever. There are lots of people doing it all around the world.

This said, even artists who do spend years building up those solid bases in art school know that they have to keep learning and improving their skills/knowledge continuously throughout their journeys.

Not only when it comes to cold artistic skills, but also in terms of business, marketing and personal development.

We're incredibly lucky that, with the Internet, we're able to connect with artists who're further ahead in their journeys, join communities of like-minded people looking to share and encourage each other, and get access to valuable courses created by skilled artists that will boost our knowledge at very low costs.

My advice? Take advantage of these tools and opportunities! Because, the reality is, you're only going to get so far holed up in your studio and following free tutorials.

Though the Internet is full of information, it's a vast place full of contradicting advice and lots of people just getting started skip over fundamentals or simply don't know where to start based on their current skill level.

To grow at a professional level, we need to invest in ourselves, connect with others, get feedback from people who are knowledgable in art, step out of our comfort zones, talk about our work, etc.

In past blog posts, I've shared how I was lucky to have had the opportunity to attend art school on scholarship and graduated with a BA in Graphic Design.

I'm thankful to have had that chance, as there's nothing like being surrounded by other artists and creatives consistently, learning about Art Fundamentals through-and-through, getting comfortable talking about art, obtaining useful feedback from professors who have been in the field for years, and getting used to meeting deadlines.

All of these are things that helped me tremendously in all the 9-5 jobs I held after having graduated and have made starting my own business a lot easier. I still had to invest in business courses and complementary creative classes, though.

Let's get into Ruby's article!

What Can You Do With an Art Degree?

by Ruby Clarkson

One of the most persistent myths about a fine arts or design degree is that it’s difficult to find lucrative employment once you graduate. In fact, there are countless opportunities for talented creatives out there, it just takes, funnily enough, a little creativity in exploiting those possibilities!

If you’re considering enrolling for an art degree but are worried about your future prospects, read on for seven career paths you might not have considered before.

Interior Design

If you have a natural eye for color, harmony and proportion, and can work with the latest home décor trends, you might enjoy being an interior designer.

But it’s not all just picking out scatter cushions – several exciting niches exist, including office or educational space design, textile, furniture and product design, and even styling and planning bespoke kitchens for luxury homes.

Illustration and Multimedia Art

Whether it’s children’s cartoons, TV and film animations for advertising, special effects or fashion drawings, a career as an illustrator is bound to be rewarding. You can work independently or as part of an in-house creative team for corporate.

Creating compelling and original images for merchandising like t-shirts, calendars and product packaging is also a field with plenty of potential.

Gallery Management

If you possess the right balance of artistic expertise and business savvy, you might do well in the art gallery world. Working with artists, art dealers and the general public, you’ll need to wear many hats to make sure that exhibitions are properly organized and profitable.

You’ll need to know your industry inside and out, but sales, marketing and networking will also be a big part of your daily life.

Graphic Design

Graphic design is an exciting and competitive area, but one in which it’s more than possible to distinguish yourself. You’ll work with a range of clients to bring their design briefs to life, using classic fine art media, a host of design software and plenty of marketing acumen.

This line of work offers the possibility of freelancing or remote work, as well as the option to design in-house for big brands – a more niche but likely more profitable line of work.

Lecturing or Teaching

Of course, you could teach art and design as a subject at any level, which is a great option for those who enjoy working with people and might appreciate the more predictable schedule. Bring your love for the arts to secondary schools or sixth form colleges, or consider applying to teach a course at university.

Another option is to offer more informal painting, drawing, decorating or design courses at your local community college or privately.

Watercolor and Drawing Step by Step Tutorials for Beginners

Check out my FREE Patreon-exclusive tutorial and class samples here.

Art Therapy

You don’t necessarily have to use your art skills directly.

Art therapists use visual arts media to help people communicate or work through their issues non-verbally. Artistic expression can be incredibly healing – if you’re artistic but also have a lot of empathy, patience and a desire to use art for good, this role could prove extremely gratifying.

After further training, you can specialize more in psychotherapy, work with children, social work or even nursing contexts.

Fine Artist, Sculpting or Mixed-Media Art

If you have a knack for creating beautiful items that people want to own, consider doing it independently via local art fairs, galleries or online stores, and selling your hand-crafted wares directly to art collectors.

Many people are happy to buy and gift art objects that are unique, custom made, locally produced or simply beautiful to look at.

But what if I can’t get into art school?

For many, earning a degree in art and design is a far-off dream they can’t imagine actually achieving for themselves. But even if you think that certain options may not be open to you, bear in mind that art education is more accessible now than ever.

Consider an apprenticeship, or a bridging or foundation course to prepare you for higher education. Thankfully, there are many options for those who want to work up to a higher degree in art and design, and plenty of ways to finance your choice.

Chat to your chosen university to discuss funding options and possible scholarships, or directly contact funding bodies who seek out and reward upcoming talent.

While it’s true that careers in art and design are not as “cut-and-paste” as other more conventional occupations, there is still enormous scope for a talented creative to make a rewarding living doing what they love.

It might take a little planning and thinking ahead, but the world always needs people with strong aesthetics, no matter how they apply their talents.

I'd like to thank Ruby for sharing all of this helpful information with us and inspiring us to work towards building a fulfilling life around our passions.

To get in touch with her, you can email her here.

I hope you found this post helpful and thanks so much for reading!

5 Tips for the (Serious) Self-Taught Artist

How I Left My Job and Became an Artistpreneur

2 Comments

5 Tips for Marketing and Selling Your Art on Instagram Like a Pro

12/19/2019

6 Comments

Market and Sell Your Art on Instagram Pro Tips

Why is Instagram such a great online platform for artists? What are some essential tips for working artists starting on Instagram? Why is it important to build up a following if we're intending to make a consistent income from our work and how does one even go about starting to grow one from scratch?

I sincerely believe that there's never been a better time to be an artist.

With the Internet and so many online platforms/tools available to us, it's easy to both connect with other artists and start getting our work known by possible collectors all over the world.

We can literally set up our own website or online shop in a matter of minutes and start making our work or services available for visitors.

This said, something I quickly came to realize after having left my last 'normal' full-time position and starting my own online business is that, it's one thing to have and use all of these amazing tools and it's quite another to actually make them work for your career as a professional artist.

As I shared in this past blog post, there's a lot to learn and start implementing in your online efforts. There's a strategy involved, and it's not just about mindlessly posting your work.

While we're building up our artistic skills and finding our voice, we need to be learning about marketing and actually putting to use these strategies we learn about.

It's only through actually experimenting for ourselves over a certain period of time, that we can conclude whether strategies are working for our specific artistic goals or not.

For most of us, it can not only take time to see sales coming in, but the process can be frustrating and quite overwhelming, as there's so much to learn about and so many options.

This is especially the case when we're just getting started.

Over at my YouTube channel, I've shared videos in which I'm very honest about what it has taken for me to get to the point I'm at, and have provided lots of practical advice for aspiring artists.

With my innermost group over on Patreon, I'm even more candid about my life as an artist and share the inside tips that have worked for me as I continue building my income online.

As I've mentioned in past blog posts and videos, as artists we are creative entrepreneurs. We're business owners.

It's important to understand that we're looking to sell products. Meaningful, unique products. But products nonetheless.

And just like any other business out there, it's essential to build up our brand and work on a message that is meaningful and unique to us.

To succeed as an artist, we must build up an audience (whether it's online, offline or both is completely up to you and your goals). We want to create connections with people who resonate with our work, our story and our message.

You may be able to sell a piece or two here and there out of luck, but it's these people who resonate with us deeply, who'll be not only cheering us on, but will also be coming back for more when we release new artwork.

I really believe that, the sooner we ease into marketing and sales, and actually see them as a fun, creative part of our work, the more successful we'll be.

Katherine Belle, who works as special contributor for Enjoy Canvas, will be sharing several essential tips that will help us make our Instagram account a success.

Katherine is obsessed with interior design, and is a pro at creating and sharing content online that is valuable for readers.

Let's get into her article!

5 Tips for Marketing and Selling Your Art on Instagram Like a Pro

by Katherine Bell

Instagram has completely changed the way people buy and sell products (and services).

Literally, anyone can start selling via the Internet now-a-days. This is awesome because this means we don't have to sit through endless days wondering how we can grow our art business and sell more work.

It's all about how you market yourself and your art, which requires you actually interact with people and grow an engaged online community (your audience).

As long as you focus on sharing valuable (inspiring, educational, entertaining) content for your audience, stay consistent, and apply a few key tips, your account will grow.

And though this may take time, the opportunities that can come from your efforts are definitely worth it.

Instagram is one of the best social media platforms for artists due to its highly visual nature and it's ability to display a curated portfolio of your work to your visitors. 

Over the years, it has become the ideal social media platform for artists, right next to Pinterest.

Transforming Your Instagram Feed into a Source of Revenue

You worked hard on it. You poured your heart and soul into your artwork, and now it's time to reap the benefits that you deserve.

When it comes to marketing on Instagram to sell your brand and your artwork, it all boils down to growing an engaged fanbase and consistently networking within the art community (your followers, other artists and brands, etc.).

Remember the social aspect of social media and don't just post or try to sell and leave, but focus on asking questions, leaving valuable comments and creating connections.

You can pick up many more tricks of the trade along the way. But for starters, consider these crucial tips to apply once you have your Instagram account up and running.

1. Develop Your Brand

Branding has taken on so many meanings and contexts over time.

For artists looking to build their brand on Instagram, it's all about posting meaningful and inspiring content, while staying consistent both in terms of posting frequency, as well as the kind of content that's been shared.

Basically, you need to think of a theme that'll unify your posts, which can be related to your artistic style, the message that you want to share with the world, or other aspects pertaining to your artistic life.

It's a given that people's attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, and there's lots of competition online. This is why its essential to start developing a unique brand that transmits who you are as an artist.

Try browsing across Instagram through notable people in the art community. Study each of their feeds and their brand's look and feel. Take notes.

Pay attention to how they construct their bio, make their contact information available for possible costumers, and to the quality of content they share.

Notice how most of them make it a point to share content that their fanbase will find valuable in some shape, way or form. And how it's always related to what they're passionate about and are offering to the world.

You don't always have to share finished pieces! Share inspirational quotes from famous artists, pictures of your work in progress or your working area, sneak peeks of your drawings or paintings, your favorite supplies...

The possibilities are endless!

Check out my FREE Patreon-exclusive tutorial and class samples here !

2. Put a Bit of Soul Into Your Captions

For the most part, your followers already know that you're on Instagram to sell your art, apart from sharing it with the world. But you must remember that simply posting a picture of your work with its name and price, and expecting people to buy isn't going to get you anywhere.

It's not creative. There's no hook.

You're not giving people a good reason to purchase your artwork. There's no story or connection with you, the creator of the piece.

And though, you might get lucky at some point and sell a piece to a customer just because he/she thinks it's beautiful, your true collectors (those who'll want to buy your work time-and-time-again), buy because they connect with you and your personal story.

Don't like writing or feel that you don't write well? You don't need to write a long novella to transmit a story. A few sentences and your own heartfelt feelings are more than enough.

Let people know about your process, your inspiration. Tell them the story of how this particular piece came to be.

People connect to emotions, and by getting good at sharing your story and message from the heart, you'll start attracting the right people.

Yes, you need to transmit that your work is up for sale, but never forget to bring your creativity into it and actually transmit your passion for what you do.

Click on image to visit original source over at pexels.com.

3. Use Hashtags Strategically

In digital marketing, hashtags double as maps and street directions.

Hashtags are what make it possible for others to find your posts. They make the content you upload discoverable, which is an absolute must in an already saturated platform.

By using hashtags strategically and implementing best practices, you'll keep growing your audience consistently. Never forget them in your posts!

You'll want to stay up-to-date with tips and recommendations from Instagram specialists like Alex Tooby and Vanessa Lau, as algorithms change as months go by, but here are a few key tips to get you started:

- Use the Instagram search bar to find hashtags that are related to the type of art you share.
-Try to be specific. Instead of doing #watercolor, add #watercolorlandscape or #watercolorportrait, depending on what you're sharing.
- Find other artists who have large followings and take note of how they use their hashtags. How many do they use? Where do they place them within their post? Do you see any hashtags that are used repeatedly?
- Create a list of the best hashtags you find over time, but don't always use the same group of hashtags in all your posts. Switch them around, add or subtract to them, depending on what it is you're sharing.
- Only use hashtags that are actually relevant to your post.

And lastly, create your own brand-specific hashtag! Make sure to use it frequently and encourage your loyal followers to do so as well whenever they're talking about your brand on Instagram.

4. Think of Ways to Make Your Feed Engaging and Dynamic

Though all social media platforms are different and the things that work well in one might not work well in the other, there's one thing that is essential in all of them in order to make your account a success.

And this is engagement.

Constantly give thought to ways that you can use the tools Instagram provides, such as Story features (stickers, questions, polls, etc.), Instagram TV, and create engaging content in regular posts so that your audience can participate.

Think outside of the box and make it easy for them to relate and be able to respond.

Ever tried doing art challenges such as sharing a new piece every day?

What about sticking to a particular style or subject for a month or a whole year and consistently bring people into your process and artistic progress?

Let people into your artistic journey!

Whatever you do, don't forget to keep things positive, fresh and fun.

People are looking for positivity and are more likely to want to see more from you if you keep things inspiring for them.

Give them a reason to keep coming back.

Never underestimate the power of creative content, whether that's on your IG feed or on Instagram Stories.

5. Track and Monitor Your Progress

Because you'll be using your Instagram account to promote your artwork and grow your art business, it's important to switch to a business account.

Don't worry! Switching from a normal to business account on Instagram is easy (and can also be easily reverted).

By switching to this type of account, you'll be able to have special insights into your analytics.

This means you'll be able to learn about the demographics of the people who are following you (age, location, gender, etc.), how your interactions are growing over time, the amount of clickthroughs to your website or shop, what times and days your audience is most active on the platform, and more!

This will allow you to objectively implement new strategies and shift away from what's not working, which will lead to faster growth.

Remember, your art business on Instagram is as much a display of your passion as it is a way to make a living. And because of this, it's important to make strategic efforts and continuously assess whether what you're currently doing is working.

Before posting anything, ask yourself if you'd find that content valuable. Also, always consider if your efforts contribute to your end-goal of growing your audience and making a living from your work.

On a final note...

Instagram can do wonders for launching your artistic career and getting rid of the need for galleries or big-name critics to tell you whether you can succeed or not.
But most of all, it's helping artists develop meaningful connections with possible customers and other people of their profession as well.

Instagram is, indeed, a beneficial tool and can be an incredibly effective marketing weapon. All it needs is knowledge on how to wield it.

Now it's your time to build your brand and become the successful artist you were always meant to be.

I'd like to send out a huge thank you to Katherine for so generously providing all of this helpful information for us and inspiring us to get our work out there!

Visit enjoycanvas.com for tons of ideas on interior decor and transforming spaces with art.

Also, follow them on social media to find out when news and more resources are released:
Twitter : https://twitter.com/EnjoyCanvas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enjoycanvas/

Thanks so much for reading!

Essential Tips on Taking Art Commissions

Time Management and Goal Setting for Artists

6 Comments

10 Perfect Gift Ideas for Artists Who Paint

11/28/2019

11 Comments

*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)

Looking for some meaningful and practical gift ideas that your artsy friend/significant other/family member would absolutely love to receive this Christmas? What items could help encourage an artist to keep creating and pursuing his/her creative passions?

First and foremost, I'd like to take a moment to thank you for reading this post, as it most likely means that you're interested in celebrating your friend or loved one's individuality and passion for art, and want to encourage him/her to keep going. As an artist myself, I can tell you that knowing people close to me support my decision to pursue art means everything, especially when one is just starting out.

I'm all about encouraging fellow artists to keep going because I 100% believe the world would be a better place with more art and artists in it.

All this said, no matter how mysterious and complex people make us artists to be, we're honestly an easy bunch to buy presents for. Not only do we tend to wear our hearts (and minds) on our sleeves more than others, but there are things we need to constantly replace in order to keep feeding our need for creation.

We also need to constantly seek ways to stay inspired and motivated, and a huge variety of things can get our creative minds going.

In this blog post, I'll be sharing a list of ten awesome gift ideas that your artistic friend will absolutely love. I've made sure to include options for both males and females, as well as an explanation as to why each item is so great.

Enjoy!

Perfect Gifts for Artists on Amazon and Artist Merch Studio

I personally love buying art supplies, as well as Christmas gifts for my loved ones from the comfort of my own home through Amazon.

Another awesome option is getting a little something for your loved one over at my new Etsy shop, Artist Merch Studio! I'm filling up the shop with statement tees and mugs that are created especially for painters, illustrators and crafters.

Click on the images below to learn more about each item on this list.

Gift for artists over at Artist Merch Studio!

1. A Sketchbook (or Two)

Illo Sketchbook 180 GSM Paper (8x8). Click on image to find out more about this item.

An artist can only paint as well as he/she can draw, and keeping sketchbooks is a great way for us to continue sharpening our drawing and observational skills throughout our journeys. Not to mention, sketchbooks are portable, allowing us to stay creative wherever we go, and provide a chronological record of our progress that we'll keep forever.

You can honestly never go wrong with giving an artist a sketchbook.

Find out more about why sketchbooks are such an essential part of an artist's journey in this blog post.

2. A Statement Cell Phone Case

Gifts for artists- watercolor cell phone case

ChiChiC Anti-Scratch Slim Flexible Rubber Cases Cover for Apple iPhone 7 8 4.7 Inch

Not only do artists love making their passions known to those around them, but many of us working artists actually depend on it. Especially when an artist is just starting out, it's incredibly important to get the word out about what it is we do so that we can start building up those connections and experience.

An eye-catching statement accessory like this artsy cell phone case is a great way for us to transmit our originality and love for art, but also encourages other people to strike up a conversation with us.

3. A Leather Pencil/Paintbrush Case

Gifts for artists- Flyshine Canvas Artist Brush Holder Rollup Pouch

Flyshine Canvas Artist Brush Holder Rollup Pouch. Click on image to find out more about this item.

An artist's supplies are his/her tools for creation, and they must be taken care of. This can definitely be a challenge when we do sketching and painting outside of our studios. A quality paintbrush case or pouch like this canvas roll-up ensures that our favorite paintbrushes will be kept safe.

I love the practicality of a roll-up pouch like this one, as there is no space wasted and paintbrushes can be organized/kept in place perfectly.

Gift for artists over at Artist Merch Studio!

4. A Painter's Apron

Gifts for artists- Artist Canvas Unisex Apron with Pockets

Artist Canvas Unisex Apron with Pockets. Click on image to find out more about this item.

The struggle is real for us artists to keep our clothes free of paint, which can be a problem because a lot of us prefer to spend our money on more art supplies, than on new clothes!

A canvas apron like this one is durable, wraps around the back for a higher level of protection, and I love that it includes different pockets for paintbrushes, rags and other things we might need to have on hand while painting. It's perfect for both males and females.

5. Highly Moisturizing Hand Lotion

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Hand Lotion, Lavender (12 oz). Click on image to find out more about this item.

Hand lotion is a total must for artists, especially in the winter time. We're constantly washing paint and other harsh liquids off our hands, which makes them extremely dry and itchy. I personally have bottles everywhere, including my studio, and always carry a tube with my in my bag.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day line offers a variety of scents like Lavender, Lemon Verbena, and Peppermint. They are perfect for those of us who need a higher amount of protection/moisture, as they are created especially for people who work with their hands.

We must take care of our hands because without them we can't create!

6. Artist Socks

Chalier Famous Painting Art Socks (4-6 Pairs)

What better way to keep your feet warm this Winter than by wrapping them in some bright and colorful art?

A pair of these socks will not only keep your artist friend warm and cozy while working in the studio, but will also remind him/her to remember to have fun!

Us artists can get pretty intense (and self-berating) while creating, and it's so important to remember to laugh and not take ourselves too seriously.

7. A Color Wheel Umbrella

Streamline Rainbow Color Wheel Umbrella. Click on image to find out more about this item.

An umbrella like this one is not only beautiful and inspiring to look at, but is also large and sturdy to help us keep our work safe when walking to and from vehicles in the pouring rain (which can be very challenging).

What better way to let that artist in your life know that you're there for him/her than providing a canopy of protection from the rain?

Check out my FREE Patreon-exclusive tutorial and class samples here!

8. An Inspiring Enamel Pin

GIfts for artists- Painter's Palette Enamel Lapel Pin

The Unemployed Philosophers Guild Bob Ross and Happy Tree Enamel Pin Set - 2 Unique Colored Metal Lapel Pins

On the lookout for something small, but meaningful? Enamel pins are all the rage now-a-days and are a perfect little surprise that your artsy friend will be able to actually wear or stick on his/her bag while out and about.

This is another perfect accessory that can not only help us express our individuality and love for art, but can also be a conversational piece. Making time for conversation with others is essential for us, especially because artists tend to be alone a lot.

Some of us forget what it's like to talk with others.

True story.

9. A Helpful Art Book

Living and Sustaining a Creative Life (Sharon Louden) and Art & Fear (David Bayles/Ted Orland) Books -Click on image to find out more about these items.

An artist's life can definitely get lonely and sometimes we need to be reminded of how others have gone through what we're going through. We also need to be inspired by stories from other artists who have reached success so that we can keep working hard to make our dreams come true.

Both of the books above are, in my opinion, must-reads for any serious artist.

Living and Sustaining a Creative Life is a compilation of 40 personal stories/essays by working artists. Each one of them shares his/her own experiences and struggles as they have pursued making a living as an artist. This book helps us understand the reality of what it's like to sustain a professional creative career over time.

Art and Fear is a very popular book amongst creatives of all kinds. This book tackles artistic insecurities, and the internal and external challenges that professional artists face throughout their journeys. Finishing projects, getting our work out there and receiving critique are difficult tasks that artists must learn how to do/handle. This is a book to read over and over again.

10. An Easel

US Art Supply Tall Tabletop Adjustable H-Frame Wood Studio Artist Easel. Click on image to find out more about this item.

As a painter myself, I have a variety of easels. I enjoy standing when I'm creating my larger pieces, but a desk easel like this one is absolutely perfect for smaller and more relaxing works to enjoy on weekend mornings. Switching from one easel to another is a great way to reset my mind from a piece I'm creating for selling purposes, and one I'm creating for myself.

This easel is sleek, sturdy, and is perfectly sized, even for beginner artists working in a small studio.

Watercolor Supplies for Beginners and Essential Things to Know

11 Comments

5 Tips for the (Serious) Self-Taught Artist

8/21/2019

11 Comments

Do you need to go to art school to become a highly-skilled and successful artist? What experiences do art schools provide that being self-taught doesn't? As a beginner artist going down the self-taught route, what can I do to ensure steady artistic progress and get to a point at which I'll be able to actually sell my work?

Throughout the years, I've had the honor of meeting many successful artists both online and offline. Some of them did go to art school and some of them didn't.

There are highly successful artists who didn't go to university at all and took up low-paying/low-stress jobs until they advanced their skills enough and started making an income from their art sales.

There are artists who reach success later on in life, after having completed university studies and years of working in a completely different field.

There are others who did attend art school only to realize it was a total waste of time, as they had to learn all of the techniques they were personally interested in, on their own.

There are others who did go to an amazing art school that allowed them to advance their skills immensely in an inspiring and challenging learning environment, and also created great contacts that helped them fast-forward their careers post-graduation.

Finally, I've met people who went to art school and created breathtaking work, but gave up and started on a different path after they realized that making a consistent income from art involves learning about sales and marketing, as well as being willing to push past their comfort zones.

The scenarios are really never-ending, and there is no right or wrong way to go about it.

Every artist has to forge his/her own path, depending on his/her own goals, as well as the situation they are personally in.

You need to define what success means to you personally.

Does it mean being able to create artwork your proud to share, but not necessarily earning an income from? Perhaps just a side-income?

Does it mean getting your artwork shown and sold by popular galleries?

Do you want to get known on an international level and sell on your own terms?

Does it mean earning enough of an income through art sales that you're able to live comfortably? If so, what does living comfortably for you actually entail? How much of an income would you have to be making each month in order to live that way?

Today, I'll be sharing the five key things that successful self-taught artists do since the beginning of their journeys, which enable them to make faster progress in both their cold artistic skills, as well as their confidence and ability to share and speak professionally about their art.

But first, I'd like to clarify a couple of things.

I personally did go to art school. I was lucky to be given a scholarship and was able to attend a great university through which I learned from experienced professors not only in the Graphic Design field, but also from artists teaching (very basic) drawing, painting, silk-screening and photography.

It was through university courses that I learned about Art Fundamentals, how to talk about art, experienced what it's like to create an original project from scratch and pushed myself to see a piece through until completion, which is so, incredibly important.

I leaned about the importance of sticking to deadlines, managing multiple projects simultaneously and experienced what it's like to get my work critiqued by skilled professors who literally tore my work down in front of large groups (eeek!).

Click on image to visit original source on Unsplash.com.

This said, in terms of painting, which is how I make the majority of my income now-a-days, I'm mostly self-taught.

And though I'm thankful for having the opportunity to go to art school, based on my experience post-graduation, as well as what I've gathered from other artists who've I've had the chance of meeting, it's definitely not necessary to have an art degree in order to become successful.

Especially because, in today's world, we're able to experience and learn all of these things art schools offer through the internet. More specifically, through blog posts, video tutorials, courses offered by skilled artists who are willing to share their techniques and knowledge, and online communities.

This said, having all of this information and possibilities at our fingertips can often be confusing and overwhelming, especially when we're just getting started.

Many beginners don't know where to start or skip over fundamentals, just to be disappointed with their creations or with the fact that no one is liking/buying their work after they've put very little time and effort in.

Before getting into the tips, I want to briefly explain what being "self-taught" means to me, as there are different opinions on what this entails.

To be perfectly honest, I don't feel there's such a thing as a 100% self-taught artist.

Reason being, whoever is serious about improving in any field, will most likely be taking it upon themselves to look for material to learn from, whether it's books, videos or classes. These resources were, of course, put together by someone else and as consumers of such content, we're getting directly or indirectly influenced by them in some shape, way or form.

Most of us, even started drawing by copying other artists' work. In a sense, we were learning from other artists even back then, as we were replicating those shapes, lines, colors, etc.

Throughout our lives we've all been influenced by artists around us and were exposed to all kinds of art that were created in or before our time. And the artists who created that work were also influenced by artists around them and art that came before their time.

We're all influenced by others, whether we want to admit it or not. This goes for people who've been to art school or haven't been to art school.

We're all a wonderful mishmash created by the culture we've been brought up in, the people who've been around us throughout our lives, and the different kinds of art (design, music, literature, cinema, etc.) that have impacted us in the point and time we've been living.

For the sake of this post, however, I'll explain what I would personally consider to be a self-taught artist.

In my opinion, being a self-taught artist implies not attending art school, or any kind of academy in which a full art curriculum has been laid down for you to follow over a relatively long period of time.

A self-taught artist, for the most part, decides on his/her goals, searches for resources and learning material (whether it's books, workshops, classes, figure-drawing sessions, online courses, etc.) and goes through his/her own self-imposed "curriculum", so to speak.

Though an artist that did attend art school still has to continue doing all of these things after having obtained his/her degree in order to continue improving (the learning never stops), a self-taught artist didn't go through that initial "formal" training. *That formal training could have been amazing, or it could have been useless.

In my opinion, taking a workshop a couple of times a year, or following individual tutorials online, doesn't really count as formal or in-depth training (unless one takes a very complete course through which you're able to obtain direct feedback from the instructor).

Most likely, one-off workshops or stand-alone video tutorials will not lead to steady or significant progress unless the artist actually prioritizes his/her work enough to continue working consistently and complementing those classes or tutorials with other resources in a coherent way, depending on his/her current skill level and goals.

Short workshops or week-long art retreats are super fun, but usually, students are basically copying the instructor's techniques and are not taught Art Fundamentals, which are what will allow them to create original, visually pleasing compositions from scratch.

I know because I've taught those workshops. Because there's a very small amount of time, the instructor ends up giving his/her students the fish, instead of teaching them to fish for themselves.

The instructor's goal is (usually) to give you a taste of what creating art is like, and to facilitate an experience that will enable you to have a quick art win (oftentimes something pretty that you can take home). It's not to encourage you to find your own style or give you the tools necessary for you to make significant progress in your journey on an individual level.

Short workshops and video tutorials don't allow for adequate feedback on part of the instructor or deep conversations amongst students, which are key in order to improve at a deeper level. Oftentimes we're unable to see our own mistakes when we're just getting started. Not to mention, it's incredibly important to get used to sharing and talking about both our art, as well as art created by others.

Next, I'll be sharing five key things you can do to ensure you're getting the most out of the resources offered by the Internet and make faster, meaningful progress as an artist.

Click on image to visit original source on Unsplash.com.

**5 Tips for Beginner, Self-Taught Artists**

1. Don't ignore Art Fundamentals

Something I often see in beginners that fail to cover the basics, is that they're unable to create certain effects their looking to create, or end up very frustrated because their artworks don't turn out the way they see them in their heads and have no idea why this is.

Learning about Elements and Principles of Art, as well as Composition, Perspective, Anatomy Basics, etc., will enable you to create original, visually pleasing, powerful artwork on your own, without having to depend on other artists' work as inspiration.

The successful self-taught artists I've met made it a point to learn the basics and continue improving upon fundamentals as their journey moves forward. They understand that it's important to have a solid base to jump off from.

Learn them for free, pay for a course, do whatever you'd like, but never underestimate the importance of learning the basics. This will set you up for success and the knowledge you'll gain will permeate into everything you do and any kind of artwork you choose to create.

*Over at my Patreon membership site, I offer not only real-time drawing/painting tutorials, direct feedback from me on your work and live Q&A's, but also full classes on Art Fundamentals which cover all the basics you need to know as a beginner just starting out and much more for only $15 a month.

**2. Embrace exploration and enjoy the journey**

Oftentimes, beginners only give importance to the end-product and make very little time for studies and explorations. They jump straight to the canvas and/or judge their worth as an artist by how well the product turned out, ignoring the growth and self-discovery that can come throughout the creative process.

Successful artists, formally trained or not, understand that getting great at drawing or painting takes time and dedication, just like any other learned skill. They understand that there are gradual steps to follow, and that by learning certain skills first, and gaining confidence incrementally, they will be facilitating more complex tasks for themselves.

It's mind-boggling to me how many times I've had people reach out saying they're ready to draw someone's portrait in full-likeness when they haven't even taken time to learn basic facial proportions or have practiced drawing techniques that will enable them to recreate three-dimensional form and skin/hair textures.

While it's true that we have access to an immense amount of information online, most beginners don't know where to start and get lost because they aren't aware of the sequence they should be learning topics in, or how to break complex compositions or subjects apart in order to study them separately and ensure greater success.

*This is why I offer one-on-one, individualized classes via Skype designed around your own current skill level and goals. These classes allow me to fully focus on my students individually and I'm able to offer in-depth feedback, as well as provide specific assignments that help them stay consistent and make much faster progress. *E mail me to learn about my rates and availabilities. Spots are filling up fast!

3. Join some kind of artist group or community and try to obtain (constructive) feedback from artists that are a bit farther ahead than you are

As artists, spending time around like-minded creatives is essential in order to stay motivated and consistent. There's a large part of an artist's work that gets done in isolation, but we ultimately create art to share it with the world.

A local or online group/community will help you stay consistent, which is absolutely key if what you're looking for is meaningful progress. The Internet provides us with many different options to join art communities via membership sites, Facebook groups and online forums.

This said, the more public these groups are, the less likely you are to gain constructive feedback and support in a timely manner. Also, the more likely you are to come across people who will be very harsh in their judgements or comments, which can be detrimental for the beginner.

If you're looking to advance your skills for free, just make sure that you're taking your time to look for communities that are positive, constructive and inspiring.

As an email subscriber, you have free access to my closed Facebook group, Art in Harmony. This is an incredible community full of positive, engaged artists of all levels and mediums that are looking to help and inspire each other. I'm also there several times a week providing art challenges, drawing and painting tips, and inspiration. Join me and over 750 artists from around the world by becoming an email insider here.

Though it's very easy to share your work through social media channels and groups, and even get a few likes here and there, it's not that easy to get actual constructive feedback from artists that are further along in their journeys.

It's also through both obtaining and giving constructive feedback, that we improve and are able to practice our communicational skills. To become a professional and make consistent art sales in the future, we need to become better at talking about our work.

Why? Because the whole idea of "I'm letting my art talk for itself", will just get you so far.

Your audience needs to be able to connect with you. If they don't connect with you, the artist behind the work, you'll have trouble building an audience and making consistent sales.

Check out my FREE Patreon-exclusive tutorial and class samples here !

4. Stay consistent and stay focused on your goal

Arguably, being a self-taught artist requires more discipline than being formally trained, as you need to establish deadlines and working times for yourself from the very beginning. It is entirely up to you to hold yourself accountable and stay consistent.

It's important to understand that, as with all learned skills, becoming great requires consistency and patience. Though some artists may have been incredibly fortunate to have parents or family-members who were artists themselves and were thus able to develop certain sensibilities and skills at a very young age, none of us are born knowing how to draw or paint.

This is actually a good thing! It means anyone can learn to draw or paint.

This said, I know how hard it can be to make time for your art as a busy adult. Even as a full-time working artist, there are tons of things that need to get done and get in the way of actually creating art.

Whatever situation you're personally in ("regular" full-time job, kids, etc.), accept it fully, remain grateful and create practical, realistic goals for yourself. Commit to them.

It doesn't matter if you only have a short amount of time each day to work on your art. What matters is staying consistent over time and not giving up. Even a few 20-30 minute sketches several times a week will help you make progress.

In my blog post/YouTube video How to Make Time for Your Art as a Busy Person, I share the specific things I did to improve my artistic skills while I was still working at my last "regular", highly-demanding teaching position.

Remember there will never be a perfect time to do anything. If you want to succeed at the goals you set for yourself, it's going to be up to you to make them a priority.

5. Realize how far you've come and stay positive

As artists, we're often our own worst critics. It's easy to forget how far we've come since we started. It's important to acknowledge every-single-piece as a step in the right direction. Even if the outcome wasn't what you expected it to be, you're still moving closer to your goal.

If you keep going, in a few months you'll be lightyears away from the version of you who never got started at all. Lightyears.

Imagine the artist you can be a year from now if you commit and push forward.

I 100% believe that working on maintaining a positive mindset is an essential part of being a successful artist and being able to keep that success going over time.

During the actual creative process, remaining positive and believing in yourself is going to make it much more likely for you to actually succeed. If you think you can't do something, you probably won't be able to do it. The mind is a very powerful thing.

Remaining positive is also incredibly important throughout the tasks we do after or in between the creation of art, such as applying for art shows or galleries, sharing our work via social media, responding to feedback, selling our work, communicating with clients when working on commissions, etc.

The more you're able to stay positive in these kinds of situations, the more likely you are to be seen as a professional and reach sustained success.

A while back I shared a blog post/YouTube video in which I explain all the things I make sure to do on a weekly basis to ensure I stay healthy and productive as an artist. Read it here.

Finally, always believe in yourself and celebrate each and every little victory. Most importantly, celebrate yourself.

Though you may not feel like it right now, you are an artist and you are capable of doing whatever you set your mind to.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you found this helpful. I wish you tons of progress and enjoyment in your journey.