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New Year's Resolutions for Artists and Painters

From Marion Boddy-Evans,
Your Guide to Painting.
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What have you promised to do with your art this year?

New Year's Resolution for Artists No 1:
I'll use my sketchbook every day, even if it's just to sketch the person anchoring the evening news on TV or a chat-show host. (Or my family members while they're watching the TV or the cat sleeping on the sofa!)

New Year's Resolution for Artists No 2:
I'll set aside at least 15 minutes a day to do something creative or inspiring: working on a painting, planning a new painting, paging through a monograph on my favorite artist, popping into an art gallery, reading the latest articles on this website, browsing through my Creativity Journal, or doing one of the quizzes.

New Year's Resolution for Artists No 3:
I'll try something new in my painting, whether it's trying out watercolour pencils, mixing pastels with my watercolors, trying water-based oils if I've been too intimidated by the oils and solvents of traditional oils, or painting impasto with a painting knife.

New Year's Resolution for Artists No 4:
I'll do at least one painting in an unfamiliar size. So if I usually paint small, I'll paint something at least A2 in size, or if I usually work on a large scale, I'll paint something A5 size or smaller. (Also read: Do Large or Small Paintings Sell More?)

New Year's Resolution for Artists No 5:
I'll gather together my courage and do some plein-air painting rather than painting only in my studio.

New Year's Resolution for Artists No 6:
On my birthday, I will treat myself to something I've always considered an extravagant luxury, such as a pure sable watercolor brush or an extra-large canvas.

New Year's Resolution for Artists No 7:
Instead of just thinking about it, I'll post comments on the Painting Forum on one of the paintings submitted there for critique. These are artists who are actively seeking comments on their work, and I'll support them by voicing my opinion.

New Year's Resolution for Artists No 8:
I'll work towards developing an identifiable painting style, so that people looking at my paintings will recognize it as being by me.

New Year's Resolution for Artists No 9:
I'll share the most helpful thing I've ever learned about painting with other artists on this website by completing the easy Submit a Tip form, for the Weekly Painting Tip.

New Year's Resolution for Artists No 10:
If one of my friends asks me for a painting that they like, I'll gently suggest that they buy it, reminding them that painting isn't something I just do to keep myself busy.

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