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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...