2021 is almost over already, meaning it’s time to plan 2022! Of course, you don’t have to wait for a new year to set goals for your art, but a blank calendar can be inspiring and motivating. I like to set goals at the start of a new year so that I can organize my progress over time more easily based on precise calendar years.
Instead of difficult goals that usually last as long as it takes to have the first rough day of the year, I like to make small adjustments to my habits and allow for flexibility. Here are some ideas for ways you can make 2022 your most creative year yet!
1. Keep a Planner
A planner could be as simple as a monthly calendar where you physically write down your appointments and work times or as detailed as an hour-by-hour agenda for what you will be working on each day.
I like to keep mine by writing in the important things coming up each month in the beginning, and then when each week begins, I write down the tasks that I have to complete along with the times that I go to work each day.
For individual days, I plan them the night before to plan each day in light of what happened the day before.
Planners are good for organizing your tasks and also for tracking productivity! By comparing to-do lists with what got done, you will learn how realistic your expectations typically are, and you’ll know what your energy levels for each part of the week tend to be.
Sometimes, we feel like we never have enough time for art, but there is a way around it! Check out this article on making time for your art.
I tend to get the most things done Wednesday-Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday being when I’m a bit tired.
2. Try a New Medium
If there’s a medium you haven’t tried yet, or that you want to become more confident with, make 2022 your year!
Depending on how much time and energy you have, you can set a goal for a painting in your new medium each month, week, or even day, depending on how much time and energy you have!
All the reading and research in the world won’t substitute for practice, so a yearlong goal to improve at an art medium will benefit you greatly in the long run!
Our beginner courses are a great place to start if you want to get into a new medium. We currently have beginner classes for Watercolour, Gouache, Ink, and Illustration, but we are constantly adding new ones!
To save yourself from coming up with a completely new idea for each painting, you can decide on a set amount and gather any reference material or make composition sketches in advance. That saves you time and helps you pay more attention to learning your new medium!
3. Make an Illustration Series
Suppose you want to keep yourself on a schedule for regularly drawing while also making a cohesive portfolio this year. In that case, an illustration series is a great way to accomplish that goal!
Try making a series of characters, illustrating scenes from your favourite book, or making a picture representing each month of the year! If you have a social media account, a series will be a great way to engage your audience while you practice your art.
You could also try participating in art challenges! We've got a great article on how to prepare for art challenges so that you can make the most out of them. Narrative sequences in your artworks will keep your audience engaged incredibly well.
4. Fix Your Sleep Schedule and Health Habits
If you aren’t feeling your best, you won’t be creating your best work, and each task in your day will require more effort from you.
By taking care of yourself at the most basic level, you set yourself up for success in your art! You don’t have to get up at 5 AM to work out to be healthy and feel nice; just set a goal that you feel comfortable with.
You want to make sure you’re sleeping when you are naturally tired at night, so that might mean going to bed at 9, or it might mean going to bed at midnight. Pay attention to how many hours of sleep you need to function optimally, and also pay attention to what time of day you focus the best!
Some people focus best right after they wake up, and others focus better before they go to bed. It depends on the individual. Make your health goals about what’s best for you and not what works for someone else.
Remember that no matter how simple your goals for the new year are, there will be a day that you don’t achieve everything you wanted to. The missed days are not failures if you get back on track as soon as you’re able to!
Also, you are allowed to change your mind about what’s important to do and either exchange one goal for another or simply drop it. There are no rules outside of what you make for yourself.
We wish you a very happy 2022 full of creativity and peace! To keep in touch with us in the new year, you can subscribe to our email newsletter for updates on new products and fun content!