Did you know that if your paint feels dry, but is cool to the touch, there's still evaporation going on, still drying?

I feel that huge shift happening and I know it's time to also go deeper with what I learn.

The last time this happened, I enrolled in my first real art class and learned the basics of drawing, composition, and the shift of the artist's eye. I loved it. Even when I hated it, when I cried out of frustration, and wanted to walk away, I loved it. As my teacher said, "Now you can only go up."

This time around, I decided to check out my local library & see what they had to offer. I want to learn more about color theory and acrylics (& mediums and how to use them to their limits) so I can bring a new level of maturity to my work & not go through so much uncertainty while working. There is so much to be said of being self-taught, but you have to remember the taught part. We can learn to access our imagination & inspiration by ourselves, and understand color, and draw forms, but at some point, you have to turn to books or teachers or mentors to get further. The adage is true - you have to learn the rules to break them, and I truly, deeply believe that. If it takes me reading sourcebooks and guides and looking through art collections, going on museum tours and visiting galleries, then I gladly study.

And you should be learning, too! 

Browse YouTube, and you'll find all sorts of artists eager to share their wisdom. Save up and invest in a local class -- not only will you learn new things, but you'll be plugged into the local art community through the students (I found that community colleges are affordable & your teachers are fascinating!). Take a trip to the library and walk past the mixed media books for the straight up art books to see what you can glean. Become interested in the mediums and tools you are using!

Go deeper!

I'm learning about how acrylic paints are made. I've always wondered what it meant on the side of them: acrylic polymer emulsion. Why do colors get discontinued? Why are some more expensive than others? Is it worth it to buy those beautiful, expensive paints, or are they all the same under different brand names?

Don't you want to know more?

I do.