Posts in Art Tutorials
What to Include in Your Art Licensing Portfolio (Plus Examples)

The key to a successful surface design and art licensing career is your art licensing portfolio! I often get asked what to include in your art licensing portfolio, so today I want to share some portfolio examples and my process for putting together a strategic portfolio that will help you land art licensing collaborations! 

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The Ethical Use of AI for Artists and Creative Entrepreneurs

Is there any ethical way to use AI as an artist? Let’s talk about it. First of all, please know that I acknowledge the concerns surrounding AI-generated designs. I know that this is a triggering topic for many creatives, and I think there is a lot of nuance to the issue. That is why I advocate for the ethical use of this technology to streamline the artistic process. Read on to learn more.

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Designing a Pattern: Which Motifs to Choose for Surface Design

When you’re designing a pattern for surface design, it’s important to be strategic about the motif you choose. I’ll share why it’s important plus three tips for choosing top-selling motifs for your surface design portfolio in this post.

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How to Design Blender Patterns for Surface Design Collections

Have you heard the term “filler pattern” or “blender pattern” and wondered what the heck it meant? In the world of surface design, these terms refer to a simple repeating pattern. In this post, I’ll walk through everything you need to know about blenders including how they’re used in practical surface design applications, how to design them effectively, and how to quickly whip them up by repurposing elements from existing illustrations.

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How to Create a Mini Collection for Surface Design

In the world of surface design and art licensing, there is a common debate about how many pieces to include in your collections. And there’s good news! You don’t have to design huge collections to be successful in art licensing. Enter, mini-collections! Read on to learn how to use this simple collection technique and snag my free mini-collection template!👇

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How to Create Professional-Level Illustrations for Art Licensing

In this post, I’m going to share the key things you need to do when creating professional-level illustrations for art licensing. You’ll learn how to ensure your art files are high-resolution enough to be printed on products, whether your art should be raster or vector, and other top tips for making sure your digital art files are setting you up for art licensing success!

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How to Make a Checkered Seamless Pattern in Procreate

In this quick blog tutorial, I’ll walk through the process for creating a checkered repeat pattern in Procreate. If you’re familiar with Procreate and the concept of seamless patterns, then this tutorial is for you! You’ll learn a few quick steps to take to build a checkered pattern with ease.

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How to Sketch From Reference Images in Procreate

When it comes to sketching in Procreate, I love that you have so much flexibility! In this tutorial, you’ll learn two ways to use reference images in Procreate. You’ll learn how to place a reference image to the side of your canvas to reference as you freehand draw, and you’ll also learn how to sketch directly on top of a reference image. And bonus! I’ll share a tip for how to insert a photo in Procreate so that it doesn’t show up in your final illustration timelapse!

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Easy Watercolor Flower Tutorial

In this easy watercolor flower tutorial, I’ll walk you through my step-by-step process for painting a watercolor flower. Florals are an evergreen trend, meaning they never go out of style! Whether you want to sell your art online or simply want to share your art with family and friends, learning how to paint watercolor flowers is key. Read on to learn how to paint a watercolor flower with layered petals!

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How to Make a Seamless Pattern in Photoshop with Pattern Preview

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a seamless or repeat pattern in Photoshop using the pattern preview tool. The pattern preview tool has been an absolute game changer in how I make patterns in Photoshop, so I’m so excited to share it with you!

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How to Open Downloaded Assets in Procreate

If you’ve ever downloaded Procreate brushes or color palettes, getting them from your downloads into the Procreate app can be a little confusing. If you’re wondering how to open assets like brushes or swatches in Procreate, I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step. It’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! 

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The Benefits of Working with a Limited Color Palette

Color theory can be an intimidating part of the art-making process for both new and seasoned artists, but it doesn’t have to be! I’ve found that working with a limited color palette has been a fantastic way to simplify color and make my artwork look more sophisticated and modern. In this post, I’ll share what a limited color palette is, the benefits of working with a limited palette, and how you can create your own limited color palette for your next illustration.

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How to Adjust Canvas Size in Procreate for Maximum Layer Flexibility

Creating high-resolution pieces can be a little tricky in Procreate since the larger your canvas size is, the fewer layers you get. I’ve come up with a few tricks in my Procreate workflow to help with this. Instead of starting out with a large canvas and limited layers, I start my initial sketch on a smaller canvas so I can have the flexibility of multiple layers. Here’s a peek into my process for working with different canvas sizes in Procreate!

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How to Sketch Animals from a Reference Photo

In this tutorial, I’ll be sharing how I sketch animals from a reference photo. I like to simplify complex animal motifs so that they are still recognizable as the animal, but have a more artistic look that is in line with my modern style. This tutorial is for all levels, whether you’re a beginner who is just learning how to draw or an advanced artist looking to hone your animal illustration skills!

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How to Paint a Watercolor Succulent

In this watercolor tutorial, you’ll learn how to paint a watercolor succulent. Succulents are popular sellers and they are a fabulous motif to start with as a watercolor beginner. This tutorial is for all levels, so whether you’re a hobby artist just starting with watercolor, or a seasoned artist looking to learn a new skill, you’ll get something out of this watercolor tutorial!

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