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    • Meet Alvalyn
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Marks and shapes can be created accidentally or spontaneously as the result of process. An event or action results in shapes being…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingWhy We Create

Proven tips not only so you can get the most from your student experience (whether you're in a design program or learning on your own) but also to enter the creative professions prepared to compete.

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials/teaching
Continue Reading10 Tips For Design Students
Read more about the article Add Life To Your Drawings

Make your drawings life-like by focusing on what adds life. Learning to draw... it isn't easy, is it? I've been drawing all my…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingAdd Life To Your Drawings
Read more about the article In Design and Art, Perception Trumps Skill

It's easy to approach art and design studies with an emphasis on technique, tools, and methods, and the elements and principles. But…

  • Post category:design school/Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingIn Design and Art, Perception Trumps Skill
Read more about the article Sole Proprietor or LLC — Which Is Best For Your Freelance Business?

Freelancing as we know it is being threatened by changes to labor law. If you’re in California, you’re already aware of AB5.…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design
Continue ReadingSole Proprietor or LLC — Which Is Best For Your Freelance Business?
Read more about the article 3 Questions To Ask In Your Marketing Reset

Many businesses are going through a reset right now, and creative freelance business owners are no different.As we emerge from a state…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing/marketing
Continue Reading3 Questions To Ask In Your Marketing Reset
Read more about the article Primary Forms: Prisms and Cylinders

Form is the visual appearance of something. Everything we see has form. We understand what a form is by how it’s shaped.…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingPrimary Forms: Prisms and Cylinders
Read more about the article What To Look For In A Mentor or Coach

Freelancers are a company of one, but we need feedback, input, and help. You're more likely to hit your goals and enjoy success when you work with a mentor. Here's what to look for and how to work with someone.

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design
Continue ReadingWhat To Look For In A Mentor or Coach
Read more about the article How To Draw the Basic Forms

As with any discipline there are fundamentals that are often overlooked but which are absolutely necessary to draw and paint with accuracy. If…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingHow To Draw the Basic Forms
Read more about the article Don’t Let Drawing Mistakes Hold You Back

I respond to a reader's and viewers' questions about how to avoid making drawing mistakes, and explain two ways to shift your…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingDon’t Let Drawing Mistakes Hold You Back
Read more about the article How To Overcome Overwhelm

Did you know that most freelancers struggle with time management, project management, and getting things done — on time? With margin? We…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design
Continue ReadingHow To Overcome Overwhelm
Read more about the article The 4 Seasons of Creativity

While, as a freelancer, you absolutely must focus on your business and develop killer business skills, you also need to guard and…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design
Continue ReadingThe 4 Seasons of Creativity
Read more about the article Capture Attention With Visual Hierarchy

As a designer or artist, if you understand some basic psychology and human visual perception, you can create compelling work that attracts…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingCapture Attention With Visual Hierarchy
Read more about the article Drawing Basics: To Draw Accurately, Draw Forms, Not Edges

Line is the most basic and expressive element of all the design elements. We can't develop a drawing without using them. Using…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingDrawing Basics: To Draw Accurately, Draw Forms, Not Edges
Read more about the article Is the Rule of Thirds an Ideal Proportion?

The Rule of Thirds is a popular method for composing designs, illustrations and photographs. You can significantly improve your compositions by following…

  • Post category:design
Continue ReadingIs the Rule of Thirds an Ideal Proportion?
Read more about the article Don’t Rely On Referral Business

It’s affirming when clients refer new business to you. Their recommendations are a testament to your expertise and experience. For a long…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing/marketing
Continue ReadingDon’t Rely On Referral Business
Read more about the article Portrait Drawing Tutorial: JT With Hat

A beginning to end video demonstration of a portrait sketch using a photograph as reference.I start by setting up the drawing, identifying…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingPortrait Drawing Tutorial: JT With Hat
Read more about the article A 5-Point Tune Up For Your Freelance Business

As with cars, your freelance business needs regular tune-ups to ensure smooth performance and prevent breakdowns. If you’re the owner of an…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design
Continue ReadingA 5-Point Tune Up For Your Freelance Business
Read more about the article How to Form a Daily Drawing Habit

How to you get into the groove of drawing every day, especially when you have a full schedule? You know that improving…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingHow to Form a Daily Drawing Habit
Read more about the article Staying Motivated When You Don’t Freaking Feel Like It

As the owner of an independent creative business, you are responsible for absolutely everything creatively and managerially. The whole thing's sitting on…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design
Continue ReadingStaying Motivated When You Don’t Freaking Feel Like It
Read more about the article How To Work With Purchase Orders

You've landed a highly-desired big name client and they've sent you a purchase order. What is a purchase order, and how do…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design
Continue ReadingHow To Work With Purchase Orders
Read more about the article Orange Is The New Power Color

Historically, orange had limited use in Western culture. You don’t see it used often in illuminated manuscripts and Renaissance art.The last time…

  • Post category:design
Continue ReadingOrange Is The New Power Color
Read more about the article Do Freelancers Need Business Insurance?

One thing that’s great about flying solo as a freelancer is all the freedom you have in who you work with, where,…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design
Continue ReadingDo Freelancers Need Business Insurance?
Read more about the article Six Things Freelancers Should Do to Communicate Their Value

The difference between discounting your services for Client A and charging Client B full price is one of positioning and communication. Both of these are value propositions.

  • Post category:branding/Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing
Continue ReadingSix Things Freelancers Should Do to Communicate Their Value
Read more about the article How To Shade a Drawing: 3 Fundamentals for Beginners

Shading is the process of adding tonal areas to your drawings and paintings to make them look more life-like. How to shade…

  • Post category:art
Continue ReadingHow To Shade a Drawing: 3 Fundamentals for Beginners
Read more about the article How To Make A Field Easel Quickly and Cheaply

I recently began plein air painting, which is painting outdoors on location. I quickly realized my need for a lightweight, portable field…

  • Post category:art/tips
Continue ReadingHow To Make A Field Easel Quickly and Cheaply
Read more about the article How Long Does It Take to Succeed as a Freelancer?

How do you measure success? How long will it take to succeed as a freelancer? This is a common question among freelancers,…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing
Continue ReadingHow Long Does It Take to Succeed as a Freelancer?
Read more about the article 3 Things You Should Do Before Responding To An Unhappy Client

Has something like this ever happened to you? You have a solid contract with your client that includes payment terms and penalties…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing
Continue Reading3 Things You Should Do Before Responding To An Unhappy Client
Read more about the article How To Use Change Orders To Manage Freelance Projects

When I first learned about the power of change orders it changed everything in my workflow. When I implemented the practice, I…

  • Post category:design management/Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing
Continue ReadingHow To Use Change Orders To Manage Freelance Projects
Read more about the article Boost Your Profits With Mark Ups

A mark up, also known as percentage over cost, is one way you can increase your freelance revenue. Marking up is a…

  • Post category:business/Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing
Continue ReadingBoost Your Profits With Mark Ups
Read more about the article How To Shade Your Drawings

Shading involves two concerns: actual technique and values. Contour line is where most people begin a drawing. Since line is all about…

  • Post category:art
Continue ReadingHow To Shade Your Drawings
Read more about the article How To Change Your Mind About Money: 5 Simple Ways To Deal With Fluctuating Freelance Income

One thing I struggled with in the past as an independent creative  is money. I have a lot of experience with the…

  • Post category:business/Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing
Continue ReadingHow To Change Your Mind About Money: 5 Simple Ways To Deal With Fluctuating Freelance Income
Read more about the article GDPR Compliance Steps for US-Based Freelancers

The European Union's (EU) General Data Protection Regulation goes into full effect on May 25, 2018. The internet and blogdom are all…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing/marketing
Continue ReadingGDPR Compliance Steps for US-Based Freelancers
Read more about the article The Basics of Visual Balance

If you're a designer or artist trying to wrap your head around what balance is all about, you're not alone. Balance is…

  • Post category:art/design
Continue ReadingThe Basics of Visual Balance
Read more about the article How To Use Graphite Paper To Transfer Drawings

Graphite transfer is a simple, traditional method used by illustrators, designers and artists to transfer same-sized drawings from a preliminary surface to…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingHow To Use Graphite Paper To Transfer Drawings
Read more about the article How’s Business? Five Tested Ways To Help Your Freelance Business Thrive

Did you know that your creative business thrives because of how you do business and not because of the quality of your…

  • Post category:business/Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing
Continue ReadingHow’s Business? Five Tested Ways To Help Your Freelance Business Thrive
Read more about the article Tips To Improve Portrait Drawing Using Structure

Do you draw mainly from photographs? People often do, and unless you've had the experience of drawing from life in a figure…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingTips To Improve Portrait Drawing Using Structure
Read more about the article Why Freelancers Should Have an Agency-Styled Website To Attract Clients

If you're an independent creative professional, you probably already have a website showcasing your amazing portfolio. Portfolios are a necessary component of…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing/marketing
Continue ReadingWhy Freelancers Should Have an Agency-Styled Website To Attract Clients
Read more about the article A Guide To Drawing With Line

Most of us use line without thinking much about it. Since early childhood we’ve used pencils, pens and crayons to make marks.…

  • Post category:art
Continue ReadingA Guide To Drawing With Line
Read more about the article Debt, Taxes and Your Freelance Business: 2017 Tax Reform Bill

I'm a sole proprietor working with businesses and organizations, and so, like you, I had some concern about how the 2017 Tax…

  • Post category:business/Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing
Continue ReadingDebt, Taxes and Your Freelance Business: 2017 Tax Reform Bill
Read more about the article Color Mixing for Skin Tones

How to mix skin tones is one of the most common questions I'm asked by students and emerging artists. While there is…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingColor Mixing for Skin Tones
Read more about the article How To Go From Being A $25/Hour Freelancer To A $100.00/hour Freelancer

Do you feel like you're stuck in a rut with your pricing? Do you want to charge more per hour or per…

  • Post category:client relations/design/design practice/Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing
Continue ReadingHow To Go From Being A $25/Hour Freelancer To A $100.00/hour Freelancer
Read more about the article How To Draw The Head — Front View

Beginning with the basic structure and proportions, here’s one approach to draw the head in a front view. You can apply these…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingHow To Draw The Head — Front View
Read more about the article The New Facebook Algorithm Is All About Quality Time… and Money

Mark Zuckerberg wants Facebook to be a place for people to connect and engage. His post on January 11, 2018 decried the…

  • Post category:Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing/marketing
Continue ReadingThe New Facebook Algorithm Is All About Quality Time… and Money
Read more about the article Create Better Design Through Abstraction

Abstraction is likely one of the most misunderstood techniques in design and fine art. In general, it’s confused with anything that’s non-objective,…

  • Post category:design
Continue ReadingCreate Better Design Through Abstraction
Read more about the article Twelve Books To Boost Your Creative Business

It's widely acknowledged that there is a direct correlation between reading and success. But it’s not the amount you read, it’s what…

  • Post category:business/Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design/freelancing/marketing
Continue ReadingTwelve Books To Boost Your Creative Business
Read more about the article How To Draw Three-Point Perspective

This is Part Three of my series of instructional articles about linear perspective. Three-Point perspective is used to depict objects and structures…

  • Post category:Eye Level – Design + Illustration Theory & Tutorials
Continue ReadingHow To Draw Three-Point Perspective
Read more about the article Try This Easy, 8-Point Tune-Up For Your Freelance Business

Every business needs regularly-scheduled tune-ups. Just like with automobile maintenance, tune-ups keep things running smoothly. They're most effective in maintaining performance when…

  • Post category:business/Freelance Road Trip — Business of Design
Continue ReadingTry This Easy, 8-Point Tune-Up For Your Freelance Business
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