Do you feel Autumn coming down the lane?  I do! I love Autumn, it is my favorite season of the year. For me, it feels like change. Starting fresh. Planting bulbs and harvesting the last of the tomatoes. Crunchy colorful leaves and hot apple cider. New pencils and notebook paper and of course...new art supplies!

Speaking of art!   What a great time of year to begin creating and using our artistic voices! Here are some helpful tips to prepare for new art classes or just coming up with a plan to add more art into your life. I hope this gets you excited to start.

Tip #1: Get out your drawing paper or sketchbook and just begin, sketch something. Anything you like. Remember drawing and art skills are like any other skill, to be good at it, you have to practice.

Tip #2: Get out your art box and go through it. What supplies did you leave in there from last year?  Do you have your own art box? See what you are out of or don't have and restock it. This is also the time to take out things you aren't using as well. Clean up your brushes and water container and find your missing tools. For a list of common tools that I keep in my art box go HERE. There are things I always have in my art box, most are common tools that can be found at home.

Tip #3: Look through your old artwork or portfolio from previous years. Admire your progress and the art that you have done. This will help you to see what skills you should concentrate on this year. It should also give you a feeling of accomplishment to see your growth as an artist!

Tip #4: Organize your creating space. Sort through paper types, deep clean surfaces, re-design area for more efficiency.

Tip #5: Frame and hang your best work! This should help encourage you to keep up the good work.

Tip #6: Create an Art-on-the-go kit. What is this you ask? It is a small travel kit(mine is actually big) with compact art supplies that you can bring with you so you can do art anywhere and anytime. This is a good way to practice your skills when you are waiting at the doctor's office or at the library.  It makes it easy to take outside on a nature walk, to the beach or into the garden. For more ideas click HERE!

I look forward to our creative time together this year! My new online Apprentice Atelier Van Gogh is live and you can still register.