You've learned to paint and are pretty satisfied with your projects. But once you've developed confidence in painting—whether with acrylics, oils, or watercolors—you might wonder, what’s next? Where can you take your artistic skills beyond painting?
The world of art is vast, and painting is just one piece of it. Many visual artists expand their abilities by exploring other forms of creative expression such as drawing, illustration, photography, and graphic design. These disciplines build on the foundations of painting while offering new techniques and perspectives. Learning additional artistic skills can enhance your work, open up new creative outlets, and even lead to professional opportunities.
This guide will explore how painting relates to art in general, what other art forms you might try next, the best ways to learn new artistic skills, and potential career paths for artists. Whether you want to improve your artistic knowledge for personal growth or pursue a career in the arts, there are many exciting directions to explore.
Painting: Cornerstone of Visual ArtÂ
Painting is often seen as a cornerstone of visual art, but it is deeply connected to other creative disciplines. Many of the skills you develop as a painter—such as understanding color theory, composition, light, and shadow—are fundamental in many other art forms.
For example, painting teaches you how to see and interpret the world, a skill that directly applies to drawing and illustration. A strong grasp of color blending and brushwork translates well into digital art and graphic design, while an understanding of perspective and lighting is essential in photography and filmmaking.
Many artists who begin with painting later incorporate mixed media, sculpture, or digital elements into their work, creating a more diverse and personalized artistic style. Exploring other art forms does not mean abandoning painting—instead, it helps you evolve as an artist, giving you more tools and methods for expressing your creativity.
Other Types of Art to Try After Learning to Paint
Once you feel confident in your painting skills, you might be curious about expanding into other areas of art. Here are some artistic disciplines that naturally complement painting:
Drawing
Drawing is one of the most fundamental skills in art. Even if you’ve primarily worked with paint, developing strong drawing skills can significantly improve your artwork. Mastering line work, shading, and perspective helps artists create more precise and dynamic compositions. Charcoal, graphite, colored pencils, and ink are great tools to explore, and drawing serves as an excellent foundation for many other art forms, including digital illustration and animation.
Illustration
Illustration is the art of telling stories through images. Unlike traditional painting, which often focuses on realism or expression, illustration combines art with communication, making it perfect for book covers, editorial pieces, posters, and concept art. Many illustrators work in traditional mediums like ink and watercolor or use digital tools like Procreate or Adobe Illustrator to create vibrant and engaging images.
Photography
Photography is another visual art form that uses composition, lighting, and storytelling to create impactful images. Many painters explore photography to study how light interacts with objects, landscapes, and human faces, which can then inform their painting techniques. Learning photography can also lead to skills in photo editing, digital manipulation, and mixed media art.
Graphic Design
For artists interested in digital media, graphic design is a natural step after painting. It involves creating visual compositions for branding, marketing, and communication using typography, images, and color. Many painters find that their knowledge of color harmony and composition translates well into digital design, and programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign make it easy to combine artistic expression with practical design work.
Each of these art forms builds upon the foundational skills learned in painting, offering new ways to create, experiment, and develop as an artist.
How to Learn Art Beyond Painting
If you’re eager to explore other art forms, there are many ways to develop new skills and broaden your artistic knowledge.
Self-Learning Through Online Resources
The internet has made learning new artistic disciplines more accessible than ever. YouTube tutorials, free online courses, and art blogs offer step-by-step lessons on drawing, illustration, photography, and digital design. Many artists start by experimenting with free tutorials before deciding whether to invest in structured courses.
Taking Structured Art Classes
For those who prefer a more guided approach, structured courses provide expert instruction, skill progression, and valuable feedback. Classes can be taken in-person, on-demand, or live online, depending on your learning style and availability.
Practice, Practice, Practice
The best way to improve in any art form is through consistent practice. Whether you’re sketching daily, experimenting with digital tools, or taking photos regularly, repetition and experimentation help refine technique and develop confidence.
Engaging with Art Communities
Joining art communities—whether online or in-person—can provide support, feedback, and inspiration. Platforms like DeviantArt, Instagram, Reddit’s r/learnart, and Behance allow artists to share work, receive constructive criticism, and connect with other creatives.
No matter how you choose to learn, expanding your artistic skill set enhances your ability to create and express yourself in new ways.
Career Possibilities After Learning to Paint
For those interested in turning their artistic passion into a career, there are many paths to consider.
Fine Artist
Many painters sell original artwork, prints, or commissioned pieces. Some work with galleries and exhibitions, while others sell through online platforms like Etsy or Instagram.
Illustrator
Illustrators create artwork for books, magazines, advertisements, and concept art for video games or films. This field combines traditional and digital painting techniques, making it an excellent path for those with a strong painting background.
Graphic Designer
For those interested in digital media, graphic design is a great career option. Graphic designers create logos, advertisements, website visuals, and social media content for businesses.
Photographer
Photographers take pictures of landscapes and people, edit, publish, and print them. They can work for media outlets and other companies or as freelancers. Photographers also sell their work on Etsy, DeviantArt, Society6, and Art.com.
Art Instructor or Workshop Leader
Teaching art—whether through community classes, private lessons, or online courses—is a great way to share knowledge while earning income. Many artists host paint-and-sip events or art retreats, combining social experiences with artistic education.
Content Creator
Artists can build an audience by sharing painting tutorials, time-lapse videos, and digital art tips on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. Many successful creators monetize their content through sponsorships, digital courses, and merchandise.
The key to a successful art career is finding a path that aligns with your strengths, interests, and preferred artistic style.
Choosing the Right Art Class: In-Person Vs. Online
If you’re serious about expanding your artistic skills beyond painting, structured classes can accelerate your learning.
In-Person Classes
For those who enjoy hands-on learning with direct feedback, in-person classes provide real-time instruction, access to professional materials, and a social learning environment. These are great for traditional fine art skills like figure drawing, illustration, and oil painting.
On-Demand Pre-Recorded Classes
For independent learners, on-demand courses offer flexibility and affordability. These classes allow students to learn at their own pace and revisit lessons as needed. Ideal for digital design, watercolor, and beginner drawing courses.
Live Online Classes
Live virtual classes offer real-time interaction with instructors and fellow students, making them a good middle ground between self-paced learning and structured in-person instruction. These are great for interactive digital painting classes, concept art workshops, and advanced figure drawing sessions.
Choosing the right class depends on your schedule, budget, and preferred learning style.
Conclusion
Painting is just the beginning of an endless artistic journey. Expanding into drawing, illustration, photography, and graphic design can enrich your creativity and open doors to new career opportunities.
Whether you choose to self-teach, take structured courses, or engage with art communities, the key is to keep learning, experimenting, and refining your craft.
The world of art is vast—so why stop at painting? Keep creating, keep growing, and keep pushing your artistic boundaries!