{"id":1385442,"date":"2018-05-04T08:37:58","date_gmt":"2018-05-04T07:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonsart.com\/blog\/?p=1385442"},"modified":"2026-10-21T16:34:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T15:34:21","slug":"1385442","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonsart.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/04\/1385442\/","title":{"rendered":"Advice from Botanical Artists: Lizzie Harper"},"content":{"rendered":"

The tenth post of the series is up! For this article, we asked the talented botanical artist Lizzie Harper what advice she would give to emerging artists.<\/p>\n

To view our other posts in this series, please visit our main blog post ‘Advice for Emerging Artists<\/a>‘.<\/p>\n

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What advice would you give to an emerging artist?<\/b><\/p>\n

By Lizzie Harper<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am in the fortunate position of being a full-time natural history and botanical illustrator rather than an artist, which means that my advice for artists starting out in the field can be quite practical, and relates to self-promotion, professional practice, and maintaining links with clients as much as it does to being an artist. \u00a0For a blog on this side of things, please take a look at my blog on starting out as an illustrator<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are definitely some good bits of advice that I\u2019ve been told, and gathered, over the years, and these relate to the psychology of being an artist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Lizzie<\/a>
Lizzie Harper, Catmint Nepeta cataria<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Self belief<\/b><\/p>\n

First, you really have to have confidence and self-belief. \u00a0The temptation to see nothing but the errors in your own work can be overwhelming. \u00a0Believe me, what is glaringly dreadful to you will almost certainly be invisible to your audience at large. \u00a0If you\u2019ve decided to invest lots of time into being an artist then you already know it\u2019s something you love and are perfectly competent at. \u00a0Bear this in mind at all times. You know that feeling you sometimes get when you finish a painting and actually really quite like it? Hold onto that feeling, it\u2019ll support you when things are less easy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Know and accept that you\u2019ll have good days and bad days; understand that you can\u2019t always be the happiest artist on the planet. \u00a0A stint of gloomy work will, inevitably, be followed by much happier times.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also wise to hang on to the kind comments and feedback you might be fortunate enough to get from others (even better if they\u2019re not friends or family). \u00a0I have been known to write positive comments I\u2019ve received down in a notebook, and look at them when things are tough or when a job\u2019s not going well. They help.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Lizzie<\/a>
Lizzie Harper, Robin Erithacus rubecula<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Self-discipline<\/b><\/p>\n

It can be tough to be an artist, often working alone. \u00a0If the work\u2019s not there, or you don\u2019t feel inclined to pick up a paintbrush, it can be ever so easy to find a hundred other things to do instead. \u00a0Fight this urge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Set hours to work, like a job. \u00a0Work to these hours as much as possible. \u00a0Don\u2019t be fooled by the lure of not being \u201cin the mood\u201d or waiting for \u201cinspiration\u201d; train yourself to be able to create your art no matter how you feel about yourself. \u00a0The more you stick to your work times, the easier it\u2019ll be to get going when you\u2019d rather be anywhere else than in the studio, confronted by an empty sheet of paper (and a deadline).<\/span><\/p>\n

Keeping a sketchbook is a part of this, it gives you the impetus to always be drawing, no matter where you are.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drawing and creating art is like any other skill, the more you do it, the better you\u2019ll get. \u00a0Stick with it, draw as much as possible, whenever possible, and don\u2019t put it off! It\u2019s all practice, and it\u2019s all good.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Lizzie Harper, Common jay Garrulus glandarius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Keep on learning<\/b><\/p>\n

You never stop learning as you go through life, and that\u2019s true of your art too. \u00a0Be sure to take time to go on courses offering skills or different approaches which are relevant to your work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Go to exhibitions and galleries, museums and craft shows. \u00a0See work that inspires you, figure out why, and bring that thrill back to the studio.<\/span><\/p>\n

Find a few artists whose work you really love and keep tabs on them, see what they do and follow their progress, and allow yourself to be in joyful awe of their abilities. \u00a0These can be people in the same fileld as you (and there are always lots of people better creating better stuff than I am, I find); or artists working in totally different fields. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Lizzie Harper, Common or Red headed Cardinal beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Balance your life<\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s vital to hone your skills by drawing and keeping regular hours, but allow yourself the time and space to do other things too. Hobbies or other activities can be a welcome relief. Be sure to make time to do these things, and don\u2019t allow yourself to become totally consumed by your art. \u00a0For me, as an illustrator, I think that\u2019s a far easier division to make than if I were a fine artist. However, being able to leave the studio and step into an entirely different head-space is massively important for me, and allows me to go on loving my work, and to never get burnt out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Respect yourself<\/b><\/p>\n

Everyone can create art, but if you\u2019ve committed time to being an artist then you\u2019re investing in your skills, and that has value.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do not be tempted to give your work away to anyone who asks for it, nor to fling it into the bin. \u00a0Remember to price your work, if you\u2019re exhibiting, in a way that reflects the time you\u2019ve spent perfecting the art you\u2019re creating. \u00a0Do not sell yourself short, you\u2019ll be under-cutting the whole artistic community if you do so, along with yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, if someone wants to use your work for marketing, please take the time to research current market prices, and always cling onto your copyright!<\/span><\/p>\n

What you create has an intrinsic value, and it\u2019s important to respect your art work, and to respect the time you\u2019ve invested in creating it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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