How to get art published 




If you want to get art published then keep reading. I have some tips for you! Learn how to get art published and places that you can get your art published for free.



What You Need to Get Your Art Published

You will need an artist biography. Usually different journals and magazines want your bio to be between 50-150 words. I have different formats saved with different word counts so it makes applying to different publishing calls easy. 



You will also need an artist statement about your artwork and high quality photographs of your art. 

how to get art published




I also have a Word document with a table where I list the places my art has been published with the name and photo of the artwork. A lot of places want first exclusive right to your art meaning that they want to be the first ones to publish your art. You can publish your art in other places after them but you will have to mention the places it has been published. This is why keeping a record comes in handy to keep track of when and where your work has been published 





How to Get Art Published the Steps

Step 1:

Start by looking at art calls - you can find them by checking an artist’s CV - like mine to see where they have had their work published. I like to follow different art journals and magazines on social media because they will advertise when you should apply and when their call of entry is happening. 



Next, I like to join different Facebook groups and Facebook pages that advertise free calls for art or poetry and this also lets me know when to apply.

You can of course pay to apply but I don’t like to do this as there is no guarantee that paying for entry will let your work be published. 


Step 2:

Read and follow requirements carefully. You want to make sure you have the right files, you have labelled files correctly and you have sent the right documents to the correct email address. It helps to keep your applications in files and have everything labelled on your computer so it is easy to find.  




Step 3: 

Submit your application and keep track of where your work gets published. Like I mentioned before it is important to record where your art is published so that you can show new work and are following the terms of your publishing contract correctly. 

how to get your art published - remnants by Jackie Partridge



How to Get Art Published

Last but not least you can self-publish your work. This is more time consuming and costly but it is very fulfilling. I self published my book Patched and used a grant from the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund to help with the costs to publish the books. I published 50 copies of my book. 


If you wanted to lower the costs to self-publish you can apply to different art grants you could also host your own artist call and artists could divide the final payment of what it costs to have their work published and create the book. 



Related Articles:

Patched Book

How to get an artist grant 

My CV







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How to use layers in a sketchbook

Learn how to use layers in a sketchbook by having the permission to make art in the sketchbook. Adding layers in a sketchbook is a great way to add texture and have fun testing and experimenting with new materials and techniques.  I have three ways for how to use layers in a sketchbook. Read more to discover how to use layers in a sketchbook. 


how to use layers in a sketchbook


Layer in Materials 

Start by pushing yourself to add layers of different media in your sketchbook. You can start with pencil then add pen, then marker, then water colour paint, then acrylic paint, then sharpie etc. Each layer you can challenge yourself to add a new medium.

pile of sketchbooks on the floor with layers in them

Layer in Textures

Begin to play and experiment with your sketchbook through the layers. You can add collage elements to bring in different textures. Here are some great collage elements to try:

  • Magazines

  • Fabric

  • Scrap paper 

  • Paper with writing or text like book pages or handwritten letters

  • Tissue paper 

  • Ribbon

  • Scrapbooking materials 

  • Stickers 

  • Buttons 

  • Anything that interests or speaks to you


Adjust your mindset 

Sketchbooks can have multiple purposes. You can plan out artwork and do a rough sketch, you can create a full artwork or a finished piece. Or you can use your sketchbook to create layers and to test and experiment with new supplies or techniques. You can give yourself permission to let go and to just have fun and play since a sketchbook is usually cheaper than watercolour paper or canvas. 

stack of sketchbooks



Tips for using your sketchbook more

  • Have it readily available in a place you see daily

  • Give yourself time in your schedule to sketch, doodle (make it part of your morning or evening routine)

  • Create a challenge where you are going to make a small artwork in your sketchbook either daily or weekly



Benefits of keeping a sketchbook

A sketchbook is a great place to test out new materials and techniques. It is a great tool to record ideas, inspiration and research. It can be used as a log to record what worked and what didn’t. Lastly, a sketchbook can be used as a test to create a mock up or mini work before committing to a larger or final piece. 



If you have enjoyed how to use layers in a sketchbook feel free to try any painting tutorials on YouTube or learn about some of my art resources on Teachers Pay Teachers.


Check out my drawing prompts for high school students. I have over 30 pages of drawing prompts, ideas, checklists and drawing practice pages that use the elements of design!

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Fielding Through- Painted Drawing with Ink by Jackie Partridge

Fielding Through by Jackie Partridge

22’x12,”  ink and acrylic fluids on Mylar, 2016

Fielding Through is an accordion style book that stretches out creating a long continuous 22' field. Each drawing of the field is painted abstractly with coloured ink and fluid acrylics by Golden. The work was inspired by my hometown Wellesley, ON and the continuous views of farmlands that blur as the car drives past all the fields.

This artwork is inspired by my family heritage of farming. Both of my grandparents were farmers and my mom’s parents owned a family century owned farm. This piece highlights the beauty of the landscape and how expansive it is. I chose bright and vibrant colours to highlight the beauty. Fields, nature and landscapes are common inspiration for my artwork and art installations.

I love using Golden Acrylic Fluids because there is less of a water concentration and it is more of a pure pigment so the colours are a lot more bright and vibrant. I started painting with inks on sheer, transparent fabric during my undergraduate degree at Lakehead University. I started painting on mylar which is a transparent plastic type paper during my Master of Fine Arts degree at Concordia University. I like the way the colours dry and layer on top of each other creating rings of colour and interesting lines. Since the mylar paper is transparent you can also see layers of the coloured washes from the previous pages in the book. 

This piece is inspired by my work Field of Green, which is a large painted field on sheer white fabric with painted fields on large sheets of mylar that are pinned to the wall. The fabric drapes away from the wall. 


Follow me on Instagram @jackiepartridge_ to see my current artwork. 

Check out my art shop to purchase my art here!

Fielding Through, ink drawing on frosted mylar by Jackie Partridge

To see current work -check it out here! Follow me on Social Media by clicking on one of the icons below to stay connected!

Ink Drawing on mylar paper by Jackie Partridge
Fielding Through, Ink drawing on mylar, abstract design by Jackie Partridge