What to Focus on Based on Where You're At In Your Art Journey

I’ve been making art for over 10 years now, which means I get the rare gift of looking back. I can see what I focused on, what helped, and what really didn’t. My hope is that you can learn from my missteps, find some clarity in your own journey, and keep moving toward your best work.

0-1 Years In

One of my daily paintings from when I just started - believe it or not, making this was not easy for me!

Gosh this time was THE WORST. I was constantly berating myself for not starting sooner. I was really focused on the past. And just sitting down to make something felt like the toughest thing I’d ever done. It had been nearly 10 years since I’d regularly made art (in high school). I was so insecure. I expected too much from myself, and was constantly let down every time I made something. I thought I should be an art master. But why? As I said, I hadn’t made something in 10 YEARS.

And it wasn’t just creating that was hard. It was sharing it too. Posting my on social media was insanely scary. Now, I don’t understand why I was so scared, because no one actually cares. But, at the time, it felt like I was posting naked pictures of myself online. It was THAT scary. The only reason I shared my art at all was to hold myself accountable to creating regularly. That was the one thing I got right.

During this time, I was constantly comparing myself with others online - so much so that my art was looking that of other artists. But I couldn’t figure out what my own style was. It was maddening.

So what do I wish I had focused on that would have gotten me so much further? Not comparison, not wishing I’d started sooner, and certainly not berating myself for all of the above. I should have simply been focused on forming an art habit. By that, I mean just sitting down at my desk and picking up some sort of art tool. It could just be doing a little black and white sketch. If I did that on a regular basis, gold star - mission accomplished.

My tips for this stage:

• Create a designated art space where your materials are ready and on display. It can just be a little desk in the corner of your home.

• When you finish creating one day, clean your desk up and get out your tools to make it easier to create the next day.

• Sometimes you’ll need to trick yourself into sitting down with a yummy dessert, drink, or listening to your favorite podcast/movie while you work.

• Keep your cell phone in another room while you make art.

• Set a timer for how long you want to sit down and promise yourself you won’t get up until the timer is up.

• Try to create at roughly the same time every day. For me, it eventually became right at the end of my workday but before dinner. You don’t need to create every day, but I would recommend finding a regular schedule. That’s your best chance at success.

• Get an accountability buddy, someone to make sure you keep showing up. This can be announcing on social media that you intend to share one doodle per day, or just texting art to a friend every day.

2-3 Years In

One of my first gouache paintings. At the time I didn’t feel like I was making progress but, in just a few years, this is way better than my vase of flowers!

You’d think things would have gotten easier at this point. In some ways they did. I didn’t fear the blank page as much. The more work I’d made, the more I believed I could actually stick with art long term. However, there’s a certain kind of self-doubt that sets in when you realize you’ve been making work for years and you’re not nearly as good as you want to be.

Guys, becoming an art master takes a lifetime. Even then, there’s always more work to be done. What I wish I’d known at this point is that art is not a destination. You will never get to a point where you say “okay, that’s it, I did it.”

I wish I’d known that I just need to work on getting a little better every day. And the only way to do that boils down to one simple principle - quantity over quality. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I preach this constantly. But it changed my life. As long as you keep at it, and focus on making as many things as you can (without focusing on the end result), you will get better. And it will happen faster if you keep your head down and focus on your own work. Don’t be tempted to compare yourself to others. Just keep making the work. That’s all there is to do at this point.

More advice I can give you for this period of time is to keep trying new things. Don’t pigeon hole yourself into deciding you have to stick to a certain style. Something really big happened for me when I was three years in - I discovered gouache. And it changed the game. I’m so glad I was open to trying new things. And I still am. Again, remember art is not a destination, but a journey. Aways allow yourself to change and evolve.

My tips for this phase:

• Check out what mediums your favorite artists are using. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

• Visit the art store regularly to buy new products. Just don’t waste money on big sets. If you’re trying something new, just buy a few colors of that thing to see if you like it.

• Never delete any past work you’ve made online (even if you’ve changed your style completely). It’s good for other artists to see your journey. And it’s good for you, the more content you have online.

• Make an art playlist, one that fits the type of work you want to make.

4-6 Years in

This is the kind of work I was making 6 years in. You can see it’s finally starting to look like the work I’m making today.

Remember when I said at the 2-3 year mark things should have gotten easier? Well 4-6 years in, things actually did get easier for me. If you’ve kept up an art habit this long, it probably isn’t going anywhere, so give yourself a huge pat on the back! Once I was 6 years into my art journey, I was able to pursue illustration full-time. Literally a dream come true. And it was all thanks to my print shop taking off, after posting art for years and getting hardly any sales.

I’m not saying everyone will be at the point where they can do this full-time 6 years in. I’m lucky I had a flexible freelance gig that allowed me to put some serious time into my art. But, I think you’ll notice your art getting traction, especially if you’ve been regularly sharing art online. At this point, I had a few cool brands approach me to collaborate.

What I wish I had focused on at this point was to celebrate the wins more, and not constantly focus on the next thing. If one brand comes along and wants to work with you, that is HUGE. Don’t waste time wishing other brands would get on board.

When I said things get easier at this point, it’s because you’ll probably have some sense of your own style, even though it will be partially baked. You’ll know overall what mediums you like working with and at what size. And you may find you can illustrate most things decently well. And by that, I mean you have confidence that you can problem solve your way through any piece.

What get’s hard at this stage is the part where you have to keep going. Every once in a while, you may feel a deep tiredness when it comes to your art. That’s normal. Usually it comes from a lack of inspiration or feeling like you’re doing the same thing over and over again. When you feel this way, it’s important to take a vacation and come back to your art. When I felt this way, it also helped to experiment and make work no one saw. Usually feeling tired meant I was taking art too seriously. I would also focus on not burning yourself out at this point. Take lots of breaks and giving yourself the freedom to experiment. You don’t have to have your art figured out by now. You can still try new mediums and techniques. I’m still trying new stuff all the time.

My tips for this stage:

• Meet some art friends, even if just online. It can help to bond with other artists when you’re struggling.

• Try to take some vacations, or even just go to new places locally. It helps so much with finding inspiration.

• When a big opportunity comes along, go out on the town. Celebrate! Pop some bubbly! Tell your friends!

• Have zoom painting sessions with a friend.

7-10 Years in

This is what I was making 8 years in. An interesting contrast to my other Central park piece from 6 years in. I’d say my hand just became more refined, but they still look like they’re done by the same artist.

I just hit the 10 year mark of making art. It feels different than I thought in so many ways. I’m really proud of the work I’m making and how far I’ve come. I’ve put SO much time into this one thing. And that feels good. It gives me the confidence that I can do anything I set my mind to. I love that when I put brush to paper, I can crank out something decent. Not every piece is my favorite, but I don’t hate any pieces either. At this point, I feel less moody about my art. I’m less influenced when I look at the work of other artists. When I do feel down, it’s me wondering if I should be further along by now. However, those feelings are short lived and I’m pretty good at squashing them before they become an issue. And by squashing them, I mean just getting to work and not dwelling on negativity.

At this point, I’ve gotten better at knowing where to find inspiration that doesn’t lead to copying - having my favorite go-to creatives throughout history as reference points. I use the work of certain photographers, directors, painters, and brands whenever I need a little inspiration.

My Matisse-inspired collage

Remember that deep tiredness I said would set in? I think that gets easier at this point. In the past few years, I’ve gotten better at knowing when I’m burnt out, or sick of working on the same thing. I don’t put as much pressure on myself to make something amazing and I’m not afraid to experiment. I recently made a Matisse-inspired collage. I don’t know where that came from, but I wasn’t afraid to share. My art habit doesn’t feel fragile anymore since I do this for a living.

My best advice when you get to this point is to focus on the projects that are just for you. I’m talking about the stuff your soul is calling you to do. It’s easy to get wrapped up in client work or making art for other people, but those aren’t the projects that are really going to fulfill you. Just a few years ago, I started working on my first children’s book. And now I’m working on getting it published. That really lit me up and it fulfilled me in a way no other work could. Maybe you want to open your own online store, or do an illustration series and turn it into a book, or illustrate some poems you wrote. This is the stuff that I think will get you the furthest in the long run. And it will keep you engaged in your art.

My tips for this stage:

• The toughest part about big personal projects is just getting started. You need to form a habit of working on it, so go back to my tips for forming an art habit. See if any of those can help you carve out time for these projects. The good news is, you’re good at forming habits by now because you’ve stuck with your art!

• Keep a list of things to paint. And a list of places to regularly find inspiration.

• Go on an artist retreat so you can carve out time to work on art just for you.

10+ Years In

Since I’m at the 10-year mark right now, I can’t really tell you what comes next. If I had to guess, it would be crossing some dream projects off my list. Getting my children’s books published. Doing more of that big picture, just for me stuff.

A piece I recently made

I recommend all artists make an art bucket list. One that says, “I will have really made it with my art if the following things happen…” It can be 5, 10, or even 20 things. My best advice for this stage, without having been through it yet, is to make sure you keep doing that big stuff. If you can help it, don’t get too wrapped up in making more money once you have enough. The money will come, but your dreams can’t wait.

I’m still learning so much. You’d think I would know all their is to know about art at this point, but I don’t. Lately, I’ve been trying out a lot of new mediums in my work - using colored pencils and pastels more. I’ve been learning a lot about lighting and how to use shadows more in my work. The learning never stops, but I think that’s what makes it fun.

Another thing I’m constantly working on is making art more comfortable for myself. I’m not quitting ever, so I might as well. A few years ago, I got a drafting table and it did wonders for my neck and shoulders. I also recently purchased a really comfy chair.

Tips for this stage:

• Make an art bucket list.

• Subscribe to some Patreon accounts and take courses.

• Treat yourself and level up your workspace. Clean out your supplies and buy new stuff you need. You deserve it.

• Join some art groups online.