I’m Chris Wilson, an artist and designer. ChrisWilsonStudio.com is my personal home for original artwork, studio notes, and practical tutorials for artists. I use this site to share what I make, what I learn through the process, and resources that can help other artists develop and present their work.
The tutorials cover drawing, sketchbooks, art materials, artist resources, art licensing, selling artwork, and the professional side of maintaining an art practice. The journal is a more personal place where I share work in progress, creative influences, travel, photography, and the experiences that shape my artwork.
My goal is to make the site useful, honest, and personal while keeping the artwork at the center of it.
The Purpose of Each Tutorial
Each tutorial begins with a practical question an artist might have.
That might be:
- What should I practice to improve my drawing?
- Which art materials are appropriate for a particular technique?
- How can I use a sketchbook more consistently?
- How do I write an artist bio, profile, statement, or proposal?
- How do art licensing agreements, royalties, and flat fees work?
- How should I present, price, or sell my artwork?
- How does an art concept apply to actual studio practice?
A useful tutorial should leave the reader with a clearer understanding of the subject and a practical next step.
How Tutorial Topics Are Chosen
I choose topics based on their usefulness to artists and their connection to the subjects covered on this site.
When creating or updating a tutorial, I consider:
- Whether the subject helps artists improve, make a decision, or solve a practical problem
- How the advice applies to real studio or sketchbook work
- Whether the information is appropriate for beginners, experienced artists, or both
- What materials, tools, or professional resources are genuinely useful
- What common mistakes or misunderstandings should be addressed
- Whether the subject can be explained more clearly or practically than it has been elsewhere
- Whether a short answer would be more useful than an unnecessarily long article
Search data may help me understand what artists are looking for, but every tutorial still needs to answer the question clearly and provide genuine value.
Experience Behind the Site
I studied Character Animation at California Institute of the Arts, where my training included life drawing, character design, animation, and visual storytelling. I have worked professionally in motion design and art direction since 2011 while continuing to develop my independent drawing, painting, and photography practice.
My tutorials are informed by years of drawing from observation, working in sketchbooks, experimenting with materials, developing personal projects, presenting creative work, and working professionally with clients.
When I write about art materials, I try to explain what a tool is good for instead of treating every product as necessary. A sketchbook that works well for pen drawing may not work for watercolor. A pencil that is useful for loose studies may not be the best choice for detailed finished work.
Those practical distinctions are important to the way I approach the site.
Research, Testing, and Sources
Depending on the subject, tutorials may be informed by:
- My own studio, sketchbook, and professional experience
- Direct testing of art materials and tools
- Traditional drawing and design fundamentals
- Manufacturer specifications and product information
- Official company submission guidelines and licensing information
- Books, educational resources, and recognized art institutions
- Comparisons between materials, techniques, or professional approaches
Articles about contracts, licensing, pricing, or other business subjects are intended as general educational information. Individual circumstances vary, and artists should review important agreements with an appropriate legal, financial, or business professional when necessary.
How Changing Information Is Handled
Some art principles are relatively timeless, while other information can change.
Concepts such as observation, gesture, composition, value, shape, and line quality remain fairly stable. Product availability, software, online marketplaces, licensing programs, submission requirements, fees, and royalty information may change over time.
When information is likely to change, I try to verify it against a current primary source and include an updated date when it is helpful. I also explain the underlying qualities to consider so the tutorial remains useful if a particular product, platform, or opportunity changes.
Artwork and Shop Information
Artwork pages are intended to describe each piece as accurately as possible. This may include the materials, dimensions, surface, edition information, and whether the work is an original or a print.
I use photographs of the actual artwork whenever practical. Colors and tonal values may appear slightly different depending on the screen, lighting, and photography. Original artwork may also contain surface texture, irregular marks, and other variations that are part of the piece.
Journal and Personal Writing
The journal is more personal than the tutorial section. It may include studio updates, unfinished ideas, creative influences, photography, travel experiences, and reflections on making art.
These entries are written from my own perspective and are not intended to present one correct way of working. When a journal entry includes practical or factual information, I still try to make it clear and accurate.
What Makes a Tutorial Useful
A useful tutorial should help readers understand both the subject and its purpose.
When appropriate, a tutorial should explain:
- What the concept, material, or professional resource is
- Why it matters
- How it is used in practice
- Who it is most useful for
- What limitations or mistakes to consider
- How it fits into a broader art practice
- Whether it is essential or simply one possible option
For example, a sketchbook guide should do more than list products. It should help readers understand paper type, size, binding, portability, media compatibility, and how the sketchbook will actually be used.
Editorial Standards
On ChrisWilsonStudio.com, I try to avoid:
- Generic inspiration without practical information
- Making art or creativity sound unnecessarily mysterious
- Overcomplicating beginner subjects
- Pretending one tool, platform, or method works for everyone
- Claiming personal experience with something I have not used
- Recommending a product without explaining its purpose or limitations
- Presenting estimates, royalty rates, or business outcomes as guarantees
- Writing a long article when a clearer explanation would be more useful
The aim is to provide grounded, approachable information while preserving the personal character of the site.
Internal Links and Related Tutorials
Art subjects naturally overlap. Someone reading about sketchbooks may also benefit from a guide about drawing materials, observational drawing, nature journaling, artist resources, or developing a consistent practice.
Internal links are added when they genuinely help readers continue exploring a subject. They are not added simply to force connections between unrelated pages. The main Tutorials page provides an organized starting point for browsing the different subjects covered on the site.
Affiliate Links and Editorial Independence
Some tutorials may contain affiliate links. If a reader follows one of these links and makes a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
Affiliate relationships do not determine which products I recommend or how I evaluate them. The usefulness and honesty of the information come first.
Corrections and Updates
I want the information on ChrisWilsonStudio.com to remain accurate and useful. If something appears outdated, unclear, or incorrect, readers are welcome to get in touch so I can review it.
Helpful corrections make the site more useful for everyone who visits it.
Who Writes ChrisWilsonStudio.com
ChrisWilsonStudio.com is owned and edited by Chris Wilson. The artwork, journal entries, and tutorials reflect my experience as an artist, designer, and lifelong observer of the natural world.