Quality work

• Buy the best supplies. Buy good quality paints and good quality brushes. Stretch and prime your own canvases. When the pieces are finished, frame them professionally or develop your own framing techniques. Buy only quality supplies for framing. Taking framing classes, if necessary.
  
  

Client interaction

• If you are painting a commissioned piece, you will need to have at least one--and probably several--sit-down meetings with your clients in order to discuss the painting and painting progress. You will need to learn to paint according to the wishes of your clients. Make several studies of your current project for your client to look at. When a layout and color scheme has been agreed to, do not stray from it without discussing the changes with your client.
  
  Practice talking about art with other artists, family and friends. Learn to be more articulate about your ideas and your aesthetic choices. Write about art to help you develop a more informed understanding of your own techniques.