Become a Better Artist in 2025: 5 Lessons to Start Applying Today

🎨 Ready to become a better artist in 2025? Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your skills, these 5 lessons will inspire and guide you on your creative journey. Plus, there’s a bonus lesson at the end that I think is the ultimate cheat code for improving quickly!
In this video, I’ll share the insights I’ve learned from years of creating art, teaching, and embracing the ups and downs of the creative process. While I chat, I’ll also be working on some leafy experiments- because who doesn’t love a little inspiration in action?
⭐️Here’s what you’ll learn:
🌱How to balance learning and playing to keep your creativity alive.
🌱Why giving yourself permission to explore is a game changer.
🌱The importance of embracing your unique artistic style.
🌱How to discover the best way you learn and grow.
🌱Why mastering the basics leads to incredible progress.
If painting with gouache is on your list for 2025, check out Get Gouachey! It’s packed with tutorials and inspiration to help you create amazing art this year ✨
🔗 Useful Links:
⭐️ Get Gouachey: www.ruthwilsha...
⭐️ Brand new to gouache? Sign up for Gouache Boot Camp & The Forest Floor tutorial for free: moderngouache....

[@lisaannef]

Honestly, I have tried a number of Skillshare and Patreon classes but I have to say that your lessons were most suited to my type of learning. There's nothing more annoying than signing up for someone's Patreon and all they do is paint with obnoxious music set to it or to the other extreme. That's what I hate about Patreon. You can't always tell what you're signing up for. Your way of teaching makes it very easy for me to follow along, see and hear what and why you are doing it. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[@PatrickVisserArt]

Some Patreon accounts offer 7 day trials. I never buy before I try 🙂. And having a Patreon myself, please give them that feedback so they can do better

[@silvertales]

The Ugly Phase of a painting is such a real thing. I’d like to take time to learn to paint with guoache, but right now I work in watercolor, and whooooo, paintings spend about 94% of the time in the Ugly Phase. It’s such a relief when it all starts to come together in that last 6% of work time.

[@Ohblioh]

So true. I now try to keep going on a painting a bit longer before I cry. Even if just telling myself it’s going in the bin anyway so no harm in continuing. It does feel like the last 6%

[@missblacksheepdoesnails]

“The ugly stage” that made me laugh because acrylic painting can be that way as well. Maybe all mediums can have a ugly stage? This page of plants is beautiful. I’ve been looking for the get gouache and I’ve found a couple lessons but is there more? New subby here btw and I’ve been watching a couple of your videos at a time and IG really enjoyed them. Hoping for more. 😊

[@lunalovebad5867]

I’m finding so much value in Get Gouachey! Honestly, the step-by-step, super accessible way that you have of teaching has helped me create such beautiful pieces. I created The Hollow with zero gouache experience, and my artist daughter told me she thought it was an art print I’d stuck into my sketchbook at first! 😊 (Not sponsored, for anyone reading the comments and wondering haha)

[@annipetratos9401]

What beautiful vignettes...oh my! I love those colours. Thanks for the advice xx

[@bonnieodonnell2780]

Your painting style is beautiful!

[@luciaaicul5443]

The "be true to yourself" resonated with me a lot, bc I often find myself painting things I know I'm better at, but I don't really enjoy that much

[@sharondoan1447]

@@luciaaicul5443 I notice that many of the artists stick with what they excel at doing in their paintings. One artist basically paints the same subject again and again using slight variations in the composition and varying the colors, season, time of day. I believe that is what one does when they discover a particular talent. A landscape artist does not need to also be a portrait artist, or a floral artist, or anything other than what they already are unless they want to challenge themselves. I am amazed at the artists who can do it all! And want to do it all.

[@voiceofreason1613]

These little landscape paintings are stunning

[@rebeccarhoten8591]

Ok I have taken action… I ordered the ten tube set of Windsor and Newton gouache… I’m dedicated to the process of learning to use them 😊

[@ashleycaulfield1823]

Happy New Year! What a beautiful first video to watch to start the year. I'm looking forward to learning more about gouache with your courses. I hope you have a wonderful year!

[@mrsd3424]

So much good here! Thanks a lot for sharing. It amazes me sometimes how much of painting is a journey of the whole person, mind, body, and soul. I will be watching this again.

[@JuliaJohnstonPhotos]

Thanks Ruth! Beautifully articulated and gorgeous paintings! Wishing a very prosperous new year to you!

[@carrollwilson5169]

Brilliant insights, love all the plants 💖

[@hashiyaazha8728]

Thank you so much for this helpful video🤗🤗

[@RuthWilshaw]

Glad it was helpful! 💕

[@morgenmachen2400]

Wise lessons, and ones that apply broadly ! For me, its finishing things i start. Going to work at changing that. Thanks, Ruth.

[@minatheminstrel]

What an awesome video to start my day! 😊🤩

[@piaroytty]

Happy New Year Ruth! Thank you for sharing your skills as an artist. Your art is my source of inspiration.

[@fionaheale3939]

thank you Ruth...happy new year

[@scjanzen]

Happy New Year Ruth!! love your Domestika courses, and found your Get Gouachey and very excited for my new year hanging out with a beautiful soul...hugs from Canada, B.C

[@Escudera_de_Roble]

😃👍 Loved this video! Both the pieces of advice and the art. Beautiful!! 😍 Thank you so much, Ruth! 🙏👏👏👏🤗🥰😘

[@davidmolloy126]

Hiya Ruth, thanks very much for another great video. This year I'm learning a new medium, Gouache. I've fancied it for a while so I've took the plunge! Take care, David.

[@florackunda]

I had already subscribed ,from your snow globe video,can’t wait to watch your videos and practise thank you ❤

[@클로버-v3x]

Thanks for your wonderful tutorial!

[@florackunda]

Just found your channel your artwork is amazing ❤

[@deannam7551]

Just joined Get Gouachey!! Really looking forward to the courses, tutorials, and inspiration during 2025!!

[@litost6564]

I just want to stop having to deal with health issues this year. Maybe then I'll actually have the time and energy to use all my art supplies...😞

[@maielwan6962]

I will pray for you having a full recovery 🙏

[@BraveAbandon]

If you want to you could maybe look up Brandy gilmore if you want to learn about healing the emotional causes of some illnesses. She has a ted talk here on youtube where she talks about regaining her ability to walk that you can watch if you feel like it. I wish you well, whatever youre gojng through

[@izzitme2707]

I hope 2025 blesses you with radiant health and time to enjoy painting!

[@chronicdesire2]

I am right there with you! Hurricane Helene, healh relapses and burnout just rocked my life

[@leah492]

Hi Ruth! I really want to re-start gouache this year after focusing on watercolor for the last few years. I love your illustrative style and am excited to learn!

[@sharondoan1447]

I could never do this, but I love your style! The paintings are amazing.

[@riithewordsmith]

You could, though. It's just a matter of practice and willingness to fail a lot first.

[@sharondoan1447]

@ Thank you! Very kind of you to offer encouragement.

[@okaybrandon8021]

Thanks, Ruth! I really appreciate your videos and content, including your Domestika courses! Love your style and your positive approach to teaching!

[@peterfuchs1935]

Thank you very much for your motivating words!

[@giselly5051]

Amazing video ❤ I was feeling a little down but this video gave me some energy and inspiration

[@kataeijsackers9575]

Happy new year Ruth and everyone! This, your words of wisdom was exactly I needed! Thank you so much!😊

[@emanuelagiorgini4451]

Che belle lezioni!! Sono da imparare a memoria! Grazie. Ti auguro un buon nuovo anno ricco di successo .👍👍😊❤❤

[@eliunarts]

wow, thats great art ❤i love it.

[@Michellemixedmedia]

Great advice. Am enjoying your Get Gouachey tutorials!

[@blue.orchid.coaching]

You are a wonderful creative. ...and solid advice. Thanks

[@GADRANGArt]

Love this video

[@arcuda2001]

i really enjoyed watching this, and am always taking " notes" and inspiration from other artists to see how we all keep going and growing ( and enjoying that process!!) Norakag, here 😊😊

[@melindaavila498]

I love your use of values.

[@CraftyKazzaH]

Those paintings are so beautiful!

[@highonart2204]

Thank you so much for this lovely talk. Lovely insights.

[@Heidi.M]

Wonderful video, Ruth. Thanks.

[@marynrj1951]

🤩😍👏👍very beautiful ! Thanks ! Whould you show little tutos simple for learn with you during this year? Happy new year☮️🪷 sorry for m'y english...I m french...😁

[@selinksolutions]

I joined love it!! I normally render animals a some people and always wanted to learn how to do landscapes.

[@Sandi999999999]

I'm really struggling with painting light over dark. I put down a dark background and even dry it with a heat gun, but I can't seem to get my little leafy plants to go on without disturbing the background paint. It's either too sticky and won't come off the brush or it's too wet. If I put several layers and dry in between, I can get a decent looking plant, but you never have to do that. I am excited to conquer this technique so I can go crazy adding all kinds of little leafy things.😀

[@RuthWilshaw]

What sort of paper are you using? A rougher or cotton paper really helps with layering- some papers don’t grip the paint at all, making them super easy to reactivate!

[@AZsunflower]

Love your small paintings.

[@janwoodyer735]

Beautiful ❤

[@sweethomes674]

Beautiful 😊

[@ElenaOlsen-q4j]

Is this watercolour or acrylic? Because your art work amazing 🤩

[@RuthWilshaw]

Aww thanks! Neither- it’s gouache! 💕

[@ElenaOlsen-q4j]

Your welcome 🤗 but I never heard of gouache before

[@ElenaOlsen-q4j]

It has always been my dream to be an artist!!!👩🏻‍🎨 😍

[@CodeytheArtist]

i hate to be that guy, but what sketchbook are you using? I have gouache and ink i want to use, but want a sketchbook that will hold up for both and the one you are using looks great. Any advice or tips would be great, thanks! 😁

[@RuthWilshaw]

This is an Etchr cotton sketchbook- it’s lovely for painting in with gouache! If you do a lot of fine detail work you might prefer the hot press- this one is the cold press and the surface has a lot of texture 💕

[@CodeytheArtist]

@@RuthWilshaw Very cool! Thank you so much for the advice! I will look into those, I really appreciate it! 😊

[@DattatrayPatil-h1r]

👍👌👌

[@GADRANGArt]

Please everyone help me grow iv jus started and appreciate you looking at my work❤