Art Tips: Quick, Hands‑On Advice for Every Artist

Whether you’re just picking up a brush or you’ve been painting for years, a handful of simple tips can save you time, money, and headaches. Below you’ll find the most useful tricks from our popular articles, all written in plain language you can apply right away.

Protect Your Work & Ship Safely

Watercolor pieces are fragile, but you can roll them safely if you follow a few rules. Use a clean, dry tube, place the painting face‑down on a protective sheet, and roll slowly from the bottom edge. Don’t roll if the paper is wet or if you have heavy pigment buildup – flatten it instead. When you need to ship a rolled piece, wrap it in acid‑free tissue and then a sturdy cardboard tube. This method cuts shipping costs and keeps your art from cracking.

Boost Your Skills & Earnings

Turning a sketch into a digital file is easier than you think. A decent scanner gives you a flat, colour‑accurate image, while a good camera can capture texture that a scanner misses. After you capture the artwork, use free editing software to adjust brightness, fix colour shifts, and export a print‑ready PDF. This workflow lets you sell prints online or share your portfolio without hiring a professional.

Pricing your portraits can feel like a gamble, but data helps. Start by adding up material costs, then factor in the hours you spent creating the piece. Compare your rate to what other artists charge in your area – many charge $25‑$40 per hour for beginners, $50‑$80 for intermediate, and more for specialists. Adjust the price based on the size and complexity, and always include a small profit margin.

If you’re curious about abstract art, remember it’s not just random splashes. Look for the underlying idea – a colour palette, a repeated shape, or a feeling the artist wants to evoke. A quick checklist: identify the dominant colour, note any repeating forms, ask what mood the piece conveys. This habit helps you appreciate and talk about abstract works with confidence.

Oil painters often hear about the “slow over fast” rule. In plain terms, apply slower‑drying layers on top of faster‑drying ones. This prevents the top layer from cracking as it ages. A practical tip: let each layer dry at least 24 hours before adding the next, especially when using heavy pigments.

When you’re ready to show your art, a first exhibition doesn’t need a massive budget. Choose a local café or community center that already has foot traffic. Invite friends, post the event on social media, and print simple flyers. Charge a modest entry fee or sell a few prints on the spot – both help cover costs and make the experience rewarding.

Finally, don’t forget that good lighting matters. Natural daylight is best for both creating and photographing art. If you work at night, use daylight‑balanced LED lamps positioned at a 45‑degree angle to avoid harsh shadows.

Apply these tips on your next project and notice the difference right away. Small changes add up, turning a hobby into a thriving practice. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and most of all, keep making art you love.