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As we approach the new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your creative journey so far and set some inspiring art goals to hit the ground running in 2025. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced artist or a total beginner—having clear, actionable goals will give you direction for the year ahead and help you flourish.

Whether you’d like to learn a new technique, take on an ambitious art project, or simply carve out more time for creativity, we’re here to help you make it happen and enjoy your most creative year yet.

Here are 12 goals for artists to consider:

1. Schedule time to practise

The first step to achieving your artistic goals is consistency. Block out regular time in your schedule and try to make it tangible, for example, “paint for two hours a week” instead of a vague goal to “paint more”. This structure helps you stay focused, build momentum, and track progress.

2. Try a new style

Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Experimenting with a new style can offer a fresh perspective and inspire you to explore techniques you may not have considered before. It’s also a fantastic way to discover the type of art you most enjoy and develop your own artistic style along the way.

3. Learn to use a new tool or medium

Step further into uncharted territory by expanding your artist’s toolkit. If you’re an oil painter, why not try out gouache or watercolours? If you primarily use graphite, give coloured pencils a go. Experimenting with new tools keeps things exciting and supports your broader art goals as you improve key skills.

4. Set up a studio space

Your workspace matters! Whether it’s a whole art studio or just a desk, having a dedicated area for creating can help you stay focused and motivated to practise.

5. Share your work

If you haven’t already, take the leap and show your art to the world! Whether it’s on social media or with a local community, sharing your work with others is a great way to build confidence and seek feedback. Follow us and share what you’ve been working on by tagging #castlearts.

6. Enter a competition

Entering your artwork in competitions is an excellent way to challenge yourself. Working with a specific theme or meeting a set deadline is great practice and can spark inspiration in unexpected ways. You might even win! Sign up to the Castle Arts mailing list to get all the details on our monthly art competitions.

7. Join a community and make connections

Artists often work in isolation, but connecting with other creators and sharing ideas can help you stay inspired and keep improving your skills. Consider joining an art group, attending local events, or finding your community online. We’ve got some exciting new community features launching soon alongside our online art courses, so watch this space!

8. Learn from professionals

Art workshops, classes, and courses are invaluable for honing your skills and learning new techniques. Look for opportunities to learn from local artists in person or explore online options to expand your knowledge from home. With Castle Arts’ online courses coming soon, you’ll have even more ways to sharpen your skills and meet your artistic goals.

9. Invest in what you need

Preparation is key! Stock up on supplies or invest in new tools before starting big projects to avoid running out and losing momentum halfway through. Once you’ve set your artist New Year's resolutions, replenish your essentials and make sure you’re fully equipped to stay on track for months to come. Check out our Bundle Builder for an easy way to save while stocking up.

10. Get outside

Nature is an endless source of inspiration. Sketching outdoors not only helps you build your art skills but is also a fantastic way to relax and recharge. This year, make it a goal to draw or paint outside more often, capturing the beauty of your surroundings or the places you explore on your travels.

11. Visit galleries and exhibitions

Seeing other artists’ work is a sure-fire way to stay inspired and broaden your creative horizons. Set a goal to visit a specific number of exhibitions this year and see how the ideas you encounter spark new inspiration for your own work.

12. Work on the fundamentals

Master the basics: composition, colour theory, light and shadow, perspective, anatomy, and form. These six fundamentals form the foundation of effective artwork, giving you a solid starting point to build on and refine your skills. By dedicating time to these core areas, you’ll progress faster as an artist and find it easier to tackle complex projects without unnecessary frustration.

 

Improving as an artist takes time and dedication, but setting clear art goals for 2025 can help you stay focused and motivated. By the end of the year, imagine how much progress you could make! We hope you've found these New Year's resolutions for artists helpful, and for more tips and inspiration, check out our blog on How to Get Better at Art.

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