I would like to share with you a couple of tips that worked for me and, I believe, can be helpful also for you, even in the context of the other hobby or passion.

1. Attending a course or painting lessons

This is not neccessary of course, but really helped me. How? In a couple of ways…

First of all, attending a course means the regular activity, which is very important if you want to learn something, not only painting.

Of course, the course itself is not everything, but it will keep you in a custom of regular working.

Secondly, the technical advice and expertise provided by professionals will help you to see how to do certain things, what to change to do things better, how the others do it.

Thirdly, that gives you the direct contact with the other people sharing the same interests or hobbies – you can see how they progress and develop, you can observe and learn something from them. You will see that they also have some difficulties, so no need to worry that you have them.

Another thing is the artistic atmosfere that may help you keep inspired and motivated.

Of course these classes are not neccessary, but can be very helpful, especially in the very beginning… But if you cannot afford them, do not worry – there are the other ways.

2. Observe the people who are in a place you would like to be in …

I mean the successful ones in what you would like to do or learn: the ones that either have the high technical skills that you would like to learn from them … or the ones that have the style of painting you would like to follow or like the most.

This can be realized through reading articles on other people’s blogs or watching the YouTube videos, where people share their tips, advice or their tutorials on how to do something e.g. mix colours for skintones, paint eyes or lanscape.

The internet is full of knowledge .. just utilize it.

In spite of the knowledge, this will keep you motivated if you will think: “They can do it, so can do I” .

3. Do not compare you with the others.

There will always be someone better than you, and, of course, someone worse.

So, the only person that you should compare yourself is you… from yesterday.

The most important thing is to focus on making a progress, the constant “step by step” learning,

So instead of focusing on the goal itself and then frustarting that you are far away from it ….focus on the joy of the learning process and being happy that you are on right path.

4. Practice, practise and practise…

Practise makes perfect, so to become a highly skilled artist just take your time.

Don’t focus on being perfect right from the beginning, unless you want to get frustrated…

Don’t try to make the perfect piece of work. Just do your best. If you see that you will not learn more out of the piece, just leave this one (even unfinished) and utilize everything you have learned so far in the next piece – by trying to start in a different way and to avoid the old mistakes.

After a couple of works you will see your progress, that of course naturally comes from experience.

5. Surround yourself with arts.

It’s like with learning languages: to make faster progress you need to surround yourself with the subject you would like to learn. So do it via all available channels.

Even if you cannot physically practise painting every day, because of your daily duties, try at least to spend some small emount of time (i.e. 10-20 minutes) on activities that will help you make progress, even in the passive way.

For example, watch some tutorial on YT or read a blog’s post while doing something else e.g. ironing (if you really have to iron of course ….. but that’s the subject of another story). You can also do it just before going to bed (instead of a bedtime story:)) or while in a bus or metro.

The good idea is to subscribe YouTube channels of your favourite artists – this way you will be notified each time he or she publishes something new or interesting.

This tip turned out to be really useful for me. I usually paint only on weekends, as on working days I have a full-time job in a totally non-arts- related profession.

So almost every day I watch some YT videos with painting tutorials referring to something I am currently working on. Then I can try to use this knowledge while painting on weekends.

6. Watch and utilize various of arts techniques

For example,  painting with or without the initial sketch, painting with brushes, palette knives, or even fingers. Check what you like and if it works for you.

7. Keep your motivation on a highest level.

That means: don’t listen to people who tell you that it’s not going to work out, that it’s a waste of time or that there is no point in doing this, as this will not bring you any money.

Don’t let their doubts or fear distract you from what you’re dreaming about.

Don’t neither listen to those who say that you are too old for trying something new or that it will last too much time. This time will pass, no matter wheather you try it or not.

Instead of them just listen to your inner voice: you can do it!

8. Just make a decision …

Even the longest journey begins with a single step.

 

Best regards,