The Power of Focused Practice: Your Personal Plan for Growth
Have you ever stared at a blank canvas, feeling overwhelmed by what you want the finished product to look like? I know I have. But here’s what I’ve learned: every painting starts with a single brushstroke. And just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, our painting skills don’t develop overnight. But if we keep taking small, consistent steps, we will get there.
I have often felt that there are SO MANY skills to learn and improve upon, and of course, I want to master them all RIGHT NOW! But I’ve come to understand that it’s not about doing everything perfectly today. It’s about showing up daily—mixing those colors, making those marks—even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Those small moments add up to something incredible. Those minutes turn into years of progress.
Making a Plan for Growth
We all have to start somewhere, right? Here’s a simple exercise that can help:
Step 1: Make Two Lists (I love lists, by the way!)
✅ List 1: Write down all the things you are good at—whether painting-related or not. You might have skills or traits that will help you develop as an artist. And notice—I didn’t say you have to be an expert at them! This is simply to remind you that you already have strengths. Awareness is powerful.
✅ List 2: Write down the painting skills you want to improve. Maybe it’s color mixing, brushwork, composition, or edges. The key here is to pick just ONE skill to focus on at a time.
Then, choose a skill from that second list that sounds the most fun and start practicing with intention. Instead of randomly painting, set a goal for each session. For example, if you choose color mixing, you might focus on creating as many different greens as possible using the pigments you have. Of course, you’ll still be using other skills, but when you isolate and focus on one, it helps you improve without feeling overwhelmed.
5 Quick Exercises to Improve Your Painting Skills
Not sure where to begin? Here are some ideas:
Mix Colors from Just Three Primaries – See how many variations you can create using only red, yellow, and blue. Approach it like a curious five-year-old, asking, What if I add a bit of this?
Contour and Blind Contour Drawing – If drawing isn’t your strong suit, try these exercises. They’re fun and meant to look wonky!
Simplify a Photo into Main Shapes – Before painting, analyze an image and sketch its basic shapes.
Limited Palette Challenge – Use only three to four colors to create an entire painting.
Brushwork Practice – Experiment with different brushes and techniques to create various textures.
Keep the Momentum Going
Every artist you admire started with the basics. They took the time to develop their skills, one at a time. Take that first small step today, and trust that the rest will follow—one painting at a time.
Do you have any favorite exercises that have helped you improve? Drop them in the comments and let’s keep adding to this list!