The Best Tips To Start A Pet Portrait Business! Apr 04, 2023

Take Your Artwork to the Next Level

Create Commissionable Pet Portraits!

Here are my 5 Best Tips for starting a Pet Portrait Business:

1: Create a Portfolio

If you’re just starting out, the first thing to do is build your portfolio. Draw your own pets, friends, and family...

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How To Choose The Right Color Palette For Your Artwork 🎨 Mar 21, 2023

Hello Fellow Artist!

I don't know about you, but when I start a new project, I could spend half my day choosing colors! Especially if it's a pet portrait commission that depends on the subject's likeness.

Picking a color palette for your next project can be daunting!

Selecting...

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How to blend colored pencils with or without a blender. (Latest info 2023) ✍️ Mar 10, 2023

Hello Fellow Artist!

The question I get most often from my students is, "how do I blend my colored pencils?" 

The answer depends on the pencils and paper you're using. Wax-based pencils blend differently than oil-based pencils.

Your pencils will blend differently on different papers,...

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How Do I Make My Drawings Look Realistic? Jan 24, 2023

That's the million-dollar question I get all the time! 

Hello Fellow Artists!

Sometimes I feel like a broken record when I answer this question because the answer solves many other challenges in the artwork as well. Which means I'm always repeating the same word or phrase over and...

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A Match Made in Colored Pencil Heaven ™ 😇 Dec 06, 2022

My Award-Winning Portrait with Derwent Lightfast

Derwent Lightfast Colored Pencil and Paper Review-(Not Sponsored! Just sharing the love!

After hearing the rave reviews for almost a year, I finally broke down and tried Derwent Lightfast pencils. I thought the last thing I needed was one...

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What is Lightfast and What is Lightfast Testing for Colored Pencils? Nov 19, 2022

Hello Fellow Artists!

In one of my Live Zoom Draw-Along's, the subject of lightfastness came up.

Hopefully, my blog will clear up any questions!

First, can I just tell you about my experience with fading artwork! Uggg!

About seven years ago, when I started painting and drawing...

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The Best Paper For Colored Pencil Art Nov 16, 2022

Which paper should you choose for colored pencils? 

Hot-Pressed, Cold-Pressed, Bristol, Sanded, or Pastelmat?

The most important thing about choosing your paper for your colored pencil artwork is to ensure the paper (or substrate) is acid-free, which means it’s protected from natural...

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Enrollment is OPEN! ✍️ Colored Pencil Membership Lessons & Tutorials Nov 07, 2022

Hello Fellow Artist!

Can you believe it? You have heard me talk about my Monthly Membership for so long now, can you believe it's OPEN for Enrollment?! 

Thank you for waiting my friend. You won't be disappointed!

As a thank you, you're getting the Founders Price for the...

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🍂 Fall Leaf Tutorial 🍁 Oct 20, 2022

Honorable Mention and a Fall Leaf Study-Take The Challenge!

 

Hello Fellow Artist! 

Oh my gosh, what a crazy month!

The Blueprint Colored Pencil Course has been keeping me so busy, and our Chicago Chapter of the CPSA had the Annual Art Show and Awards Ceremony ...

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Colored Pencils For My Health, How I Became A Professional Artist ✏️ Oct 04, 2022

Hello Fellow Artists! I thought I would share my story and my exciting announcement today!

From stick figures to an award-winning artist! And I'm honored to be the president of the Colored Pencil Society of America, Chicago Chapter.

After a horrible neck injury, I started meditating to relax my...

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