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Writer's pictureSara Wilson

Jack of All Trades, Master of None?

Some in the art world insist that you should stick with one medium, one style, one type of subject, etc. in order to be successful because of the old saying, "jack of all trades, master of none." In other words, the belief is that you should focus very heavily on one thing so that you'll become a master of it, to the exclusion of everything else. What do I think? Hahaha, not that.


I think that there's no guarantee that you'll master a medium just because that's all you ever work in. You could be an AMAZING painter, but if all you ever do is draw, you'll never realize that potential. I encourage you to explore. Dip into every medium, style, and subject that you feel the whim to try! If you want to get amazing at it, do it often, and if you want to stick with only that one thing, go ahead! But, don't do it because you feel limited and restricted to just that one medium/style/subject.


Here's a list of just a few mediums that I have tried (starting with my faves, of course):

  • Soft pastels

  • Graphite

  • Charcoal

  • Oil pastels

  • Acryllics

  • Watercolor

  • Watercolor pencils

  • Colored pencils

  • Water-soluble graphite

  • Ink

  • Copic-style Markers

I'm always, always, always looking for the next way that I can find to express myself that I connect with and that I feel comfortable with. Right now, I'm really in love with soft pastels. Most of my work reflects that shift. My next interest - what I would love to try - is pan pastels. They look like so much fun! :)


So, the takeaway today, my friends, is don't limit yourself. Art is full of endless possibilities. Explore as many of them as you have the desire to. Life is too short not to enjoy every facet of your creative energy.

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