What to paint when you are learning a new art medium?

When you approach a new art medium, it can be extremely intimidating and overwhelming at first. Switching to digital painting after years of using traditional watercolors certainly was like that for me, when I started working on my Whimsical Collection.

Initially, I felt clumsy, my strokes were tentative and let me tell you, I was not happy with the results at all!

I found two ways to overcome this initial hurdle. First was an obvious one. Just make A LOT of art – that’s why 100-day projects are so great for honing new skills.  The second one was to paint what I already know and like. In my case, marine and forest landscapes, as well as tropical plants. These were the “safe” topics, fun and easy for me, and I was just “translating” them to this new medium.

On the other hand, have I tried to paint things I struggle with like people or animals, it would undoubtedly end with disaster. So it’s either a new medium or a new topic for me. You have to limit the chaos somehow.

PS. A selection of the best 30 artworks from this project is now available in my online store. You will also find tote bags with some of the designs there.

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