10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Professional Artist
CHRISTINE LASHLEY
If I could go back 20 years and give my younger self advice as an artist, these are the 10 lessons I would share first. In this video, I talk about what actually helped me grow from painting in a tiny space as a stay-at-home mom to making a living as a professional artist, teaching internationally, and building a successful art career. If you’re wondering how to become a professional artist, how to grow as an artist, or simply looking for practical art advice that comes from real experience, this video is for you.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
00:23 Stop Waiting to Be Ready
00:54 Paint More, Study Smarter
01:39 Simplify But Do It Your Way
01:57 See Value And Color Relationships
03:35 Studio Setup is (Not) Important
05:33 A Look into My Sketchbooks Nobody Sees
07:38 Explore art organizations, find collectors, reach out to galleries
08:42 Meet Other Artists, Expand Your Ideas
09:16 Learn To See Your Own Work Without Fear
09:46 Stay With It
10:33 Conclusion
I’ll discuss why getting started matters more than perfect preparation, how painting more can accelerate growth, why simplifying your approach can improve your artwork, and how understanding value can transform the way you paint. I also share my thoughts on studio space, organization, sketchbooks, artistic community, gallery submissions, creative habits, and the mindset shifts that helped me stay committed to art over the long term.
Whether you’re a beginner artist, an intermediate painter, or someone hoping to make a living as an artist, these lessons can help you avoid common mistakes and focus on what truly moves your artistic journey forward. From painting tips and painting techniques to professional artist tips and creative growth strategies, these are the ideas I wish I had known from the beginning.
If you enjoy videos about how to paint, learn to paint, painting for beginners, painting tips and tricks, artistic growth, and building a creative career, be sure to subscribe for more painting tutorials, art education, plein air painting, color theory, landscape painting, and realistic painting instruction from Christine Lashley.
ABOUT CHRISTINE LASHLEY
Christine Lashley is an award-winning American artist renowned for her vibrant plein air oil paintings, which are inspired by nature. Trained at Washington University, the Sorbonne, and Parsons Paris, she blends light, color, and emotion to capture fleeting moments in the landscape. Her work has earned top honors at major plein air events, and she continues to inspire artists worldwide through her teaching and exhibitions.
Christine Lashley
An American Artist
Art Courses: https://www.lashleyartclass.com/
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