by Nicholas Wilton | Jan 17, 2021 | Art Practice
I love it when I get a breakthrough. But it rarely happens. So the question for me that is floating out there is how? How can I create the conditions or mindset to have more breakthroughs? How can we more frequently make the kind of art we love, more than what we have...
by Nicholas Wilton | Jan 10, 2021 | Art Practice
Did your parents hang your art up? It seems like a minor question at first blush, but having approval about anything we did by those we loved mattered as little kids—especially art. I have listened to many artists over the years talking about not being so supported...
by Nicholas Wilton | Jan 3, 2021 | Art Practice
Happy New Year!!! As part of my new year, I always think about what I am looking to achieve this year. I have a particular way of setting goals, and that is what I am talking about today. Check it out. Have a look here: For me, the litmus test as to whether the goal...
by Nicholas Wilton | Dec 27, 2020 | Art Practice
As we are about to cross over into a new year, I thought I would share a few ways to set yourself and your art up for success in 2021. All 5 of these ideas are made possible by planning. When I take time to revisit what I am making or desire to make, it almost always...
by Nicholas Wilton | Dec 20, 2020 | Art Practice
I want to remind you of something that gets me super fired up. It has to do with being an artist. There are tons of hard things about art-making. So many, in fact, that sometimes we can forget all the great parts. There are three big ideas in relation to the journey...
by Nicholas Wilton | Dec 13, 2020 | Art Practice
I am standing in my new studio in Sausalito, California. Compared to my other studio, this one is way bigger, has a view of the harbor and will allow me to shoot better videos of making and teaching art. It is all very exhilarating but honestly, taking this step was...
by Nicholas Wilton | Dec 6, 2020 | Art Practice
I spent a lot of time worrying about if people understood what I was trying to say with my Art. It turns out this is almost impossible to ascertain. It also is a waste of energy. And this is what I am talking about in today’s vlog. Have a look here: People are...
by Nicholas Wilton | Nov 29, 2020 | Art Practice
Do you ever feel like it is hit-and-miss when making your art? That is how it was for me last night. I was going along great, and then I became distracted, and progress stalled. Sometimes it just feels like I am just pushing paint around. So what is all this about?...
by Nicholas Wilton | Nov 22, 2020 | Art Practice
I remember I used to have the most challenging time calling myself an artist. Inside, I felt like one. However, I wasn’t ready to give myself that title. A majority of my work was making illustrations and so I called myself an illustrator. I had the misguided...
by Nicholas Wilton | Nov 15, 2020 | Art Practice
One of the most common questions I get asked is, “How does your studio wall work?” In other words, how do I hang all these different sized paintings on my painting wall? So today, I thought I would show you. Have a look here: I also share a tip about these...
by Nicholas Wilton | Nov 8, 2020 | Art Practice
How do you know when your art is done? This question never seems to have a clear answer. I am not sure if I entirely do either, but I can share three helpful ways I think about finishing my art. This is what I am talking about this morning. Have a look here: The first...
by Nicholas Wilton | Nov 1, 2020 | Art Practice
I walked down the hall in my building, and I bumped into artist Terri Froelich. She was telling me how she is scaling up her work. It was super interesting to hear her talk about the whole process, so I asked to see her latest paintings. It was so fun to get a studio...
by Nicholas Wilton | Oct 25, 2020 | Art Practice
I can clearly remember a time when just the idea of art-making was fraught with worries and concerns. It wasn’t the fact that my work was so bad. It was me. Sometimes I was overly concerned about what others might think about my art. Sometimes I would compare...
by Nicholas Wilton | Oct 18, 2020 | Art Practice
Do you ever feel like you made the wrong decision? Upon looking back, it seems so obviously wrong. How could I make that decision? Well, that is what I am talking about today. Have a look here: If you want to be better able to choose what you want, especially...
by Nicholas Wilton | Oct 11, 2020 | Art Practice
I remember not feeling so good about the kind of art I was making. I thought it was because of my circumstances. I had all sorts of ideas about what was or was not possible for me. But years ago, I had a conversation with my father, Clifford Wilton, who changed all...
by Nicholas Wilton | Oct 4, 2020 | Art Practice
I used to hate competition. But now it doesn’t bother me. I figured out that competition was so unpleasant because I was focusing too much on everyone else. I lost track of me in the process. Whether you are running a race, dancing, making art, or almost any...
by Nicholas Wilton | Sep 27, 2020 | Art Practice
Do you ever set goals for yourself to make art so many hours so many times a week? I used to do that, but I discovered that it rarely works out for me. So I changed my thinking. That is what this video is about today. Have a look here: I call this strategy,...
by Nicholas Wilton | Sep 20, 2020 | Art Practice
I love simple hacks that can help make my art easier, quicker, and better. Today I want to share three with you that I’ve recently started doing in my art practice. Maybe they could help you too. Have a look here: In the end, it is about creating more time for...
by Nicholas Wilton | Sep 13, 2020 | Art Practice
I received this question the other day: “Is it wrong to try to make art that sells?” This answer is, well, not entirely. And there is no one-size-fits-all answer. But from my experience, I coach artists to focus first on making art they genuinely love. The kind of art...
by Nicholas Wilton | Sep 6, 2020 | Art Practice
A few days ago, we had to say goodbye to Maizy, our sweet dog. She was such a fixture in my life, in my family’s life, and I know, for many of you, she touched your heart as well. I thought I would share a small piece of her sweetness with you today instead of...
by Nicholas Wilton | Aug 30, 2020 | Art Practice
I get many questions about my favorite tools, and it’s been a few years since I last shared them with you, so today, I thought I would share a couple. All of them help me create an essential contrast in my art. It is a contrast, or “difference,” in my art that I love....
