My studio art table. What does your work area look like? What inspires you? How do you get ideas for what to draw, color palettes, and media?
How to find trends
Lilla here! Today I want to talk to you a little about trends, and give you a fantastic FREE ten page download all about how you can learn to be your own trend detective. It’s a little taster of my online course, Hot Markets for Your Art Part B, which will teach you all about five of the most exciting and lucrative art markets out there right now: stationery, baby/children’s apparel, scrapbooking, editorial (magazines, books and more), and party paper.
I’ve been an art agent for over twenty-five years, and in that time, I’ve overseen the commissioning of thousands of assignments that my artists have gotten. This inside knowledge means that I’m constantly aware of what’s currently hot or not – sometimes up to two years in advance! I’ve seen trends come and go, but what I know for sure is that artists thrive by staying fresh.
A page from my artist Flora Waycott’s sketchbook. Sketchbooks are a way many artists stay inspired, and drawing from nature is a way to come up with new imagery.
What are trends anyway?
What are trends anyway? What we call trends are really just what people are talking about right now: it’s about being aware of the visual cultural conversation. Creative people bounce off each other like molecules, continually affected by their environment. You experience and absorb the things around you – art, sculpture, music, political movements, books – and that affects the art that you make. And then when you share that art, you in turn contribute to the conversation. The true creative leaders vibe off of the aesthetic conversation, but then they bring it to the next level to lead the way.
Ideally you want to find a balance between the collective consciousness – what everyone else is talking about and doing – and your own beautiful unique take on it. In my classes, I often tell my students to find their joy, to relish their weirdness, and to be themselves with a vengeance because that’s their unique brand, and that’s what people want.
Anyone who knows my artist Helen Dardik’s art knows that she’s a genius with color! Even just her palette is beautiful.
How do you do this? The more art you absorb, create and share, the more you’ll take part in the visual cultural conversation I mentioned above. Plus there are tools you can learn to develop this awareness, and that’s one of the things I want to share with you today: in this free downloadable I’ll teach you how to analyse styles from photographs to find gorgeous color palettes, fresh subject matter, and interesting patterns and motifs.
Be your own trend detective: get your free download
Download your FREE ten-age guide, How to be your own Trend Detective, HERE!
I hope that you enjoy it! I love to see artists evolve and flourish – in fact, it’s the reason I do everything I do both in my agency and my courses – so please do share what you come up with on social media, and don’t forget to tag @makeartthatsells so I can see what you do!
If you enjoyed this, you’ll find a ton more downloadables like this in my online courses, Hot Markets for Your Art Part A and Part B (or save when you buy them both together in our Top 10 Markets bundle!). Both courses are self-paced, which means you get instant access the moment you sign up.
Gift bags by Carolyn Gavin, represented by Lilla Rogers Studio. There are so many exciting markets that need your art!
I can’t wait to see what you do!
Lots of love
Lilla xox
