5 Financial Investments to Make in Your Art this Year

Since we’re focused on the topic of dreaming this month, I thought it would be fun to talk about investments we can make in our art. For some reason, art always seems to take a backseat to whatever else we have going on in our lives. We justify this by saying “I’m just a hobbyist” or “I simply don’t have the time.” Let me say right now that your art is always worth investing in. These are just excuses we tell ourselves for why we’ve let something so important to us slide into the background. This year, I hope you can pick at least one of these categories to invest in. You won’t regret it!

1. Education

If you’re a self-taught artist (like myself), you may feel there are some holes in your knowledge about art. Even classically trained artists need to stay up-to-date with current technologies and supplies. This year is the perfect time to gain some knowledge. Here are some ideas for how to further educate yourself in all things art:

  • Take Online Classes Years ago, I took this illustration MATS MBA class with a friend and really enjoyed it. Skillshare has some great classes too. I really enjoyed this class with Lisa Congdon.

  • Join Art Membership Programs (congrats for already doing this and being part of the GPS!)

  • Take an In-Person Class This works great if you want to learn a new medium, like ceramics. Also, if you just want to meet some creative people like yourself.

2. Equipment

Here are the best pieces of equipment I’ve ever purchased for my art:

  • Professional Printers I have three Canon printers and I use them to produce my art prints. They weren’t cheap, but I’ve saved so much money making my own prints!

  • Commercial Paper Cutter I use my 30x30 inch paper cutter daily, whether it be cutting down original artwork or art prints.

  • SLR Camera with Video I bought a Canon camera last year so I could start filming video content. I’ve made all of my GPS videos on it.

  • Drafting Table This solved the majority of my aches and pains associated with painting long hours.

  • A New Computer If your laptop or desktop is so slow that you can no longer make your best work, it might be time to upgrade.

  • A New iPhone I use the camera on my phone to film process videos and take overhead photos. If your phone camera isn’t great, upgrading can make all the difference.

  • An iPad and Apple Pencil As you know, I love using my iPad and Apple pencil to draw thumbnails of my illustrations. It’s also great for creating on-the-go.

3. Software

We don’t always think of software as a way to invest in our art. However, it can help us make better work faster. Here are some software investments you can make:

  • Adobe Creative Suite I use Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign and After Effects on a regular basis, so I invest in this every year.

  • Procreate I love using this on the iPad to sketch thumbnails of my work.

4. Supplies

It’s up to you as to what supplies you think you need. However, if your paints are dried up and your brushes are shot, new supplies could be a great gift for yourself. Or maybe you want to try a new medium that just came out. This is one of the best investments you can make in your work. Here are some ideas of supplies you could use:

  • Paints

  • Paintbrushes

  • Pencils

  • Pastels

  • Pens

  • Erasers

  • Sketchbooks

  • Illustration Paper

5. Community

Since so much of making art is online now, it can be isolating to be an artist. However, as artists we thrive best in communities where we can share ideas. That’s why it may be beneficial to invest in hanging out with other artists. Here are some ideas:

  • Join an Artist Group or Start One Yourself

  • Take an In-Person Art Class

  • Attend a Conference

  • Attend an Artist Retreat

Nicole Cicak