5 Unexpected Things I Learned as an Artist in 2024 – And My Biggest Takeaways
“By the River’s Edge” was created using soft pastels on Clairefontaine Pastelmat, 20 × 16”. This piece took me 54 hours. Everything was hard to render except for the bear! I’m glad I pushed through, but at times it was a struggle.
Reflections on 2024
I love the start of a new year. I’m not big on resolutions, but I like to reflect on what worked and what didn’t. I also take time to consider what I’ve learned and what I want to focus on in the year ahead.
I’m sharing five key lessons I’ve learned, along with takeaways that I hope will inspire and support you on your art journey.
Produce As Much Art As You Can
I used to think that everything I created needed to be ready for a frame. Now I enjoy doing little studies like the one above, which will probably go nowhere outside of my art drawer. I look at drawing as learning. This shift has helped me let go of some of my nagging perfectionism. I created this by watching a tutorial by Emma Colbert on her Patreon channel.
What I learned:
One thing I nailed in 2024 was creating 25 pieces of art. One was a total fail—but I still count it! I learned something from every single piece, even if I didn’t enjoy the process or love the final result.
For seven months of the year, my job situation was very different. I worked three long days a week, but the rest of my time (aside from chores and responsibilities) was dedicated to art—drawing, blogging, posting, and learning. Knowing that the job wouldn’t last, I made a conscious decision to push myself while I had the opportunity before returning to a more traditional job.
Even so, I’m pretty amazed at how much I created.
You might be wondering—what’s the point of producing so much art? Isn’t that just quantity over quality? I learned that quantity is more important from two books I highly recommend.
Reading Art & Fear, by David Bayles and Ted Orland, was a turning point for me—it shifted my focus from creating perfect art to simply creating more art. The authors emphasize that the biggest obstacle artists face isn’t lack of talent but fear—fear of failure, judgment, or not meeting our own expectations. Their message stuck with me: the artists who succeed aren’t the most gifted, but the ones who keep showing up and doing the work.
In another popular book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell popularized the idea that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery, reinforcing that talent alone isn’t enough—consistent effort and dedication are what set successful people apart. This concept is especially true in art, where every sketch, brushstroke, and experiment builds skills over time. The more you create, the more you grow, proving that progress comes not from perfection, but from persistence.
Takeaways & Strategies Moving Forward:
I’m going to keep creating as much art as I can. Right now, I’m teaching middle school Pre-Algebra, which means I come home exhausted most days. What’s working for me is setting a goal to draw for at least an hour, three days a week after school. Some days, I get into the flow and want to keep going; other days, I struggle to push through that hour.
That’s why I have to be intentional about drawing even when I don’t feel like it. This isn’t new for me—there are plenty of times I don’t feel like drawing. It can be mentally draining, especially when I’m stuck on color choices or when a piece isn’t turning out the way I envisioned.
That’s when I remind myself that the world won’t stop turning if a piece ends up in the trash. I think back to the two books I mentioned and keep pushing forward.
So my advice is to set a goal to draw for half an hour a few days a week—whatever works for you. Before you know it, it will become a habit!
Another strategy that might help you is to draw something—a quick sketch of your dog on the couch while watching TV or a doodle during lunch at work. Every bit of practice counts, and any time spent creating is a step closer to that magical 10,000 hours.
I also log my drawing hours the next morning into my planner. Sometimes, just knowing I’ll be recording my time the next day is all the motivation I need to sit down and draw that evening. Another bonus is that by tracking my hours, I’ve gotten better at estimating how long a piece will take me to complete.
A final tip that helps me is to immediately set up my next drawing after I have finished a piece. The simple act of cutting the paper, taping it to the drawing board, and transferring line art sets me up to keep moving forward. It serves as a reminder that I have a project to tackle.
2. Keep Learning From Other Artists
This is the result of following Emma for my first tutorial with her. The dog’s name is Nova. I have been hooked on soft pastels ever since.
What I learned:
I started in 2024 with the goal of learning how to use soft pastels from Emma Colbert on Patreon. She is an artist who I have admired for a few years. I had previously used Pan Pastels and pastel pencils, but I was drawn to the realism that Emma was able to achieve with big, chunky, Unison soft pastel sticks.
This was another win for me for 2024. Some things in life have the heavens open and angels sing when I see or experience something. Using Unisons felt natural to me. I am hooked.
I am very grateful that I chose to learn from Emma as she is an amazing instructor and as a bonus, she is very responsive and kind. That is unlike some of the other artists who I have learned from.
My old tennis instructor used to say that practice doesn’t make perfect- perfect practice makes perfect. I didn’t care for tennis, but this saying stuck with me. It makes sense. You can keep muddling about on your own and maybe you will eventually get better by learning from your mistakes OR you can speed up your progress by learning from others you admire.
I choose to do the latter. All of the great artists learned from others. I will keep doing this as long as I’m able.
Takeaways & Strategies Moving Forward:
Usually, I don’t stick with one artist for an entire year, but I’ve made an exception for Emma. She has an incredible work ethic and consistently puts out new tutorials. Plus, her content is affordable.
That said, after I complete four commissions, I plan to explore a new artist. I like learning from different people, taking specific techniques from each, and using them to develop my own style.
My suggestion to you is to follow a tutorial or two this year. Find an artist you admire and dive in. Check out my previous blog if you are interested in finding an artist to follow:
For me, it’s become a treat to follow another artist. When I follow someone’s tutorial, I get to absorb their wisdom while they do the heavy lifting, which often makes the process more relaxing than creating on my own.
3. Try New Avenues To Promote Your Art
“Three Little Pigs In Hog Heaven” sold at the Art at the Mil Show in Millwood, Virginia last fall. I hope they are happy in their new home :) This is also the piece that I entered into Emma’s art competition that won a “Highly Commendable” award.
What I learned:
My art “business” isn’t exactly rolling in the dough, but I’m not complaining! I have a goal to try new venues and ways to sell my work. After all, if no one gets to enjoy my art, I feel down—what’s the point? Plus, I have an art supply problem that requires some funding.
So, in 2024, I explored a few new ways to get my art out there, with a mix of wins and losses.
First, the wins: My dear friend Nancy Rabe reminded me to submit to a Mill Art Show near my hometown, and I’m so glad she did. You can submit five pieces, and they accepted four of mine last fall. All four sold within the first weekend! I was pleasantly surprised. Sure, they take a 35% commission, but it feels good knowing those pieces are in someone’s home.
I also had the honor of being contacted by a well-known colored pencil artist to create a tutorial for her digital magazine. I was flattered! She found me through the Ann Kulberg competitions I entered in 2022 and 2023, where I had some pieces published after entering competitions.
Another pleasant surprise came when I entered Emma Colbert’s pastel “competition” this year. She admits it’s very subjective, and she runs it as a way to give back to her followers. I won $25 in art supplies and, more importantly, a nod of recognition from Emma herself!
I’m sharing this not to pat myself on the back, but to show you that you never know what may happen when you put yourself out there through competitions or shows. I’ve entered many competitions and haven’t heard back, but each experience brings the possibility of new opportunities— some of which you may not know for a couple of years to come!
Now for the fails: I entered a Dakota pastel competition and didn’t win. I think I’ll pass on entering similar competitions in the future. The $25 fee didn’t feel worth it, especially since the competition was quite tough. I imagine the number of people who are competing in this is very high. I shall wait until my skill improves to attempt that again. Or better yet, find a competition that doesn’t have as big of a participant pool. Then my chances would improve.
I also won’t be entering anything into my local art association’s shows moving forward. The people are great, and I don’t regret trying to sell in my community, but I don’t think it’s worth my time. My area doesn’t see much foot traffic, and most people just look at the art without wanting to invest in it. It’s fine—no offense taken—I’ll focus my efforts elsewhere.
Takeaways & Strategies Moving Forward:
I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: enter competitions and shows at least once. Look for ones with a manageable number of applicants to improve your chances. If you don’t win and feel the return on investment isn’t worth it, you don’t have to do it again.
Here’s a link to a previous blog where I highlighted some competitions you might find interesting:
As for art shows or fairs, research local events that might be a good fit. They’re a great way to get in front of potential buyers, connect with fellow artists, and even sell your work.
This year, I’m embracing discomfort and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. My favorite fitness trainer, Jillian Michaels, has a saying that sticks with me: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable!” The same principle applies to learning and improving artistic skills. Growth only happens when we take on new challenges, even when they feel daunting.
I’ve committed to stepping outside my comfort zone in several ways this year. I’m teaching a local colored pencil tutorial for middle and high school students, creating a tutorial for a digital magazine, accepting two oil painting commissions (despite not having touched oils in seven years!), and taking on a large, intimidating project for my church.
I’m uncomfortable with all of these projects, and they may not all be successful—but I’m okay with that. My plan is simple: focus on one or two tasks at a time, do my best, and learn from each experience.
I’m taking on these challenges with the hope that at least one will open a new door. I’m trying almost anything once to see where it leads. At the very least, I’ll gain valuable lessons along the way.
So my challenge to you is this: say “yes” to something that makes you squirm. Life is too short not to take a chance. What’s the worst that can happen? As Nelson Mandela said, “You either win or you learn.” If you know you’ll gain something from trying, it makes taking that leap a little easier.
4. Explore and Experiment with Color Theory
I completed this screech owl piece in 2024. I amped up the colors a bit to play with what I have been learning about color theory. You can see this especially in how I accentuated the purples to complement the yellow feathers and background.
What I learned:
Last year, I decided to take a deeper dive into Color Theory, knowing that to elevate my art, I needed to be more intentional with my color choices.
Learning about Color Theory can be challenging. With so much information available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure how to apply what you've learned.
One of the reasons I enjoy writing a blog is that it helps me synthesize new knowledge. Organizing my thoughts in writing allows me to process information more effectively, and having a record of my insights lets me revisit and reinforce what I’ve learned.
I won’t cover everything here since I recently wrote a blog on the topic, but I’ll link it below. In that article, you’ll also find links to all my previous Color Theory posts:
Takeaways & Strategies Moving Forward:
I plan to continue my Color Theory journey in two ways: deepening my knowledge and intentionally experimenting with color.
I have more blogs planned on the subject, so I’ll be sure to share what I learn along the way. There are many other color scientists I want to explore, such as Chevreul, a renowned chemist with a deep interest in Color Theory. Each new perspective I study will help expand my understanding of how to use color more effectively in my art.
My advice to you is the same—keep learning! Read my blogs, watch YouTube videos, or find other resources that work for you. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to experiment. The best way to see what works is to try it for yourself and discover which aspects of Color Theory help you become a better artist.
5. Make Time for What Truly Matters
This drawing of my dog “Addie” was a belated Christmas gift to my brother. Totally worth the 27 hours it took to draw her :)
What I learned:
Last year, as I mentioned before, I returned to teaching, which demands more time and energy. As a result, I have to be extremely intentional about how I allocate my time.
I’m also approaching my 50th birthday—a milestone that has made me reflect on how quickly time passes. I’m not distressed about it, like an aging actress lamenting lost youth. Instead, I’m using this realization as motivation to rethink how I spend my free time.
Because time is a precious commodity, I don’t want to waste it—especially since creating art is time-intensive. So, I evaluate activities based on my priorities: I’ll say yes if it strengthens my relationships with family and friends, helps someone in a meaningful way, or brings me joy. Otherwise, I pass.
Takeaways & Strategies Moving Forward:
For me, this means carving out time to draw in the evenings after school—challenging but doable—and dedicating my weekends to creating, writing blogs, planning new artworks, and learning.
I do this because I love art and am working to build something from it. Your goals may differ. If you’re content with creating one or two pieces a year, this approach may not be relevant. But if you want to improve and push yourself further, prioritization is essential. Consider making your own prioritization list. Maybe you can cut something out and have more time to devote to your art.
Conclusion
As I step into the new year, I’m carrying forward the lessons I’ve learned—prioritizing my time, pushing myself outside my comfort zone, and staying committed to my artistic growth. The journey of improvement is ongoing, and each challenge, success, and even failure brings something valuable. My hope is that by sharing my experiences, you feel encouraged to take steps toward your own creative goals. Whether it’s making time for art, learning from others, or embracing new challenges, keep showing up. Progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. Here’s to another year of learning, creating, and growing! Love to hear your thoughts below :)
