| So you're a craft painter who loves creating beautiful | | | | paint your projects like you would paint a wall, turning |
| designs on plates, woodwork and glass. You feel such | | | | your wrists to complete each stroke. |
| fulfillment creating these little masterpieces that you | | | | 3. Take on a small, simple room project such as a |
| think there has to be a way to make some money at | | | | child's room. If you can't paint on your own walls ask a |
| the same time. Besides, your own home and the | | | | friend if they'll let you paint on theirs. Working with a |
| homes of all your friends are just crammed full of your | | | | friend to decide on the completed look will help give |
| artwork. | | | | you experience in consulting with customers. Listen to |
| So how do you make the leap from craft painter to | | | | what you're friend has in mind and make suggestions |
| getting paid for painting? Here are 4 simple tips to get | | | | based on your experience. Bring design books along to |
| you going in the right direction: | | | | show what you can do. |
| 1. Pick up some design and painting books for | | | | 4. Paint on as many different surfaces as you can and |
| decorative painting. Donna Dewberry's books are | | | | keep practicing your paint strokes. Make sure you take |
| perfect for this using her One Stroke painting technique | | | | lots of pictures of all your projects for your portfolio |
| which is a faster way of tole-painting requiring fewer | | | | (which can take the form of a physical photo-album |
| strokes. | | | | type portfolio or an online photo album). |
| 2. Start by painting your designs on larger flat surfaces | | | | While you are practicing your painting skills, read as |
| such as floor cloths or placemats. Create larger | | | | much information as you can get on interior designing, |
| designs than you would on smaller pieces. Start timing | | | | paint finishes, paint types and business start up |
| yourself to see how long a piece takes you to paint. | | | | information. You can gather a lot of this type of |
| This will help you when you need to calculate how | | | | information from books or by surfing online. Knowledge |
| much to charge per square foot. While you practice, | | | | gives you confidence and confidence will lead to your |
| don't turn your projects when you paint. Instead try to | | | | success. |