Make the Most of 20 Minutes a Day to Grow Your Art Business
Make the Most of Twenty Minutes a Day to Grow Your Art Business
Since 2017, I’ve been on a journey of not just developing my art, but also more recently building an art business from the ground up. The thing that has made the biggest difference? Doing something, however small, every single day to take me closer to me overall goals.
We often wait for large chunks of time to paint or draw, and while those can be incredibly productive, they’re not always practical—especially for those building an art business alongside major commitments like a job or a young family. However, big blocks of time aren’t the only way to grow an art practice. Small pockets of time can be just as valuable. Since 2017, I’ve often only had 20-minute windows to dedicate to my art, but doing something every single day—no matter how small or insignificant it seemed—has brought me to where I am today. Now, I’m fortunate to have more time to focus on my business, but those early, consistent efforts laid the foundation for my current success. Today, I have four income streams from my art: selling commissions, running an Etsy shop, earning AdSense from YouTube, and offering tutorials. I plan to keep growing my business and improving my art, but I truly believe those daily 20-minute habits were key to getting me here.
I want to share some tips on how using just 20 minutes a day effectively can help grow your art business. I'll also give you a glimpse into what I've been working on this past week, both in the studio and out and about.
No matter how busy you are, I truly believe you can find 20 minutes a day to dedicate to your art business. Yes, it takes time. Building a business is a long game, and you need to be prepared for it to take years. I’m still in the process myself—my sales and followers aren’t where I want them to be just yet, but that’s okay. I went in with realistic expectations, and that mindset has helped me stay committed and focused. For me it is about building momentum, bit by bit. And I promise, with consistency and focus, those 20-minute sessions can lead to something bigger than you might imagine!
Working in my home studio in West Sussex
Plan ahead
Don’t waste your 20 minutes figuring out what to do—have this planned out in advance. Go in knowing exactly how you’ll spend that time and what you want to accomplish. At the start of each week, identify your main goal. For example, if you want to rebrand your business design, break it down into small tasks for each day of the week.
You can work through a to-do list during spare moments, like while cooking dinner for the kids, on your commute, or during your lunch break. Personally, I often grab a notepad and jot down my weekly tasks while making the kids' breakfast on Monday mornings. Just carve out small pockets of time that fit your schedule.
Using the rebranding example, here’s how you could structure your week:
Day 1: Research logo ideas on Pinterest and gather inspiration.
Day 2: Choose your colour scheme and fonts.
Day 3: Decide whether to design the logo yourself in software like Canva or outsource it to a freelancer on a site like Fiverr.
Day 4: Create the logo on or send a brief on Fiverr
Day 5: Design some business cards using the logo you've created on a printing site like Vistaprint. If someone else is designing the logo for you, you'll need to wait until it's completed, depending on their turnaround time, before moving on to this step
Day 6: Update your social media profiles or website, if you have one, with your new logo, colour scheme, or font. Alternatively, you can announce your rebrand on social media to let your audience know about the fresh look
Day 7 – I've left this open in case anything takes a bit longer. You can see how breaking everything down into smaller tasks throughout the week makes it manageable while still leading to a significant result by the end.
The key is to make your daily and weekly tasks manageable, so by the end of the week, you feel accomplished and ready to tackle your next goal. Don’t set yourself up for failure—keep things achievable.
Setting goals
This leads me to my next point: the importance of setting goals. Simply doing 20 minutes of random tasks won’t get you far without a clear structure. That’s where goal-setting comes in. I like to set goals for the entire year, but don’t worry if you don’t stick to them perfectly—you can adjust them along the way. The key is having a plan for what you want to achieve and how you’ll get there. This will give you direction and help you stay on track. A solid plan creates a strong foundation, allowing you to take action and then plan your next steps accordingly.
My craft fair set up
Building A business takes time
Building a business can take years to develop. If you're wondering whether it's right for you, ask yourself if you're prepared for that long-term commitment. Success doesn't happen overnight. I'm still in the early stages myself, and my sales and following are still relatively small and my business is not where I want it to be, but I expected that from the beginning. Keeping your expectations realistic and your goals modest will help. You’ll grow over time, but there will be challenges and tough days along the way. The important thing is to remain resilient and patient, knowing that with each small step forward, you're laying the foundation for long-term success. Keep pushing, and one day, you’ll look back and see how far you've come.
Twenty minutes is an ideal amount of time to set aside, as it’s both achievable and sustainable. I believe that one of the key factors in growing a business on your own is mindset and setting realistic, attainable goals. Understand that success won’t happen overnight—it’s a long journey. Prepare yourself for the future, so that when you eventually have more time—perhaps when you can reduce your work hours or when your kids are older—you'll be ready to scale your efforts.
Stay organised
Stay organized by using tools like Trello, Notion, or a bullet journal to track your goals, tasks, and progress. The goals you set will vary based on where you are in your business journey, so what works for me may be different from what works for you. Choose a tracking system that suits your style and use it to monitor your goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Remember, your goals should be personal and aligned with your current stage in business, allowing you to focus on what matters most for your own growth and success.
Focus on one or two key priorities
Focus on just one or two key priorities at a time — this will allow you to make faster progress toward your goals than if you try to tackle too many things at once. Spreading yourself too thin across multiple tasks or objectives can dilute your efforts and slow down your overall growth. By narrowing your focus, you can dedicate more energy and resources to what truly matters.
For example, when it comes to social media, instead of trying to be active on every platform, choose one or two that align best with your goals. If you're an artist or creative entrepreneur, Instagram and Pinterest are excellent platforms to start with. Instagram allows you to build a visual brand and engage directly with your audience, while Pinterest can drive traffic to your work by leveraging its powerful search and discovery features. By focusing on one or two platforms, you'll see more effective results and avoid getting overwhelmed by trying to manage too many at once.
Make sure your work space is ready
Ensure your workspace is fully prepared and organized before you begin working. Have all your essential materials easily accessible so that you can grab them without delay. Don’t waste time searching for the perfect canvas size, locating your laptop charger, or hunting for any other tools you might need. By having everything set up and ready in advance, you can make the most of your working time and maintain focus.
If you have a commission or project to complete, break it down into manageable tasks. This approach will help you stay on track and make the project feel less overwhelming, allowing you to tackle it step by step. Be sure to have everything prepared for each task you've planned. For example, when I receive a commission, I break it down into smaller steps and make sure all the necessary materials are ready ahead of time. On day 1, if I plan to sketch the outline onto the canvas, I'll have the canvas, reference image, pencil, and eraser ready. On day 2, I prepare my palette and apply a colored ground that can dry overnight so I can begin painting on day 3. I continue breaking the painting process into manageable chunks to complete daily. It’s important to set realistic goals—tell the client the project will be ready in four weeks rather than three to give yourself some breathing room
Working on commissions
Be resourceful with your time
Be resourceful with your time—if you do have any additional time during the day in addition to the 20 minutes you have set aside for your art, such as while commuting or driving, think about how you can use that time productively. Instead of listening to the radio, try tuning into a podcast. Some great ones I recommend are The Art Coaching Podcast, Learn to Paint Podcast, and The Laura Horn Art Podcast. These podcasts are not only packed with valuable information but also serve as a source of inspiration. Whenever I listen to one, I feel energized and motivated to dive back into my work.
Podcasts are also a fantastic way to build your skills as an artist. They often offer tips on painting techniques, introduce you to different mediums, and provide insights into the business side of art—such as how to sell your work or approach galleries. While 20 minutes a day may not be enough time to complete an art course or engage in extensive learning, it's plenty of time to listen to half a podcast and gain useful knowledge.
Quick Art Challenges
Participate in online art challenges like Inktober, Sketchaday, or Doodlewash. These challenges are designed to inspire consistent creativity by encouraging you to create something small and manageable each day. The structured nature of these challenges provides a clear focus and helpful constraints, making it easier to stay motivated without overwhelming yourself or overcommitting your time.
Not only do these challenges help you build momentum in your creative practice, but they also offer the opportunity to connect with a larger community of artists. By sharing your work and engaging with others, you gain visibility, receive feedback, and find inspiration from the creativity of fellow participants. These daily prompts can push you to explore new techniques, experiment with different mediums, and develop the habit of making art a regular part of your routine.
Repurpose content that you create
If you spend your 20 minutes filming a section of a painting, repurpose the footage for use across different platforms. Can you turn it into a video for Instagram or Pinterest, or even use it as a product video on Etsy? Just keep in mind that each platform has different aspect ratios and file size requirements. Tools like Canva can help you format the footage correctly for each template.
The secret? Keeping your goals small, achievable, and humble. Success won’t happen overnight, but those 20-minute chunks will build a foundation that grows with you. One day, when you have more time—maybe when your kids are older or when you can reduce your hours at work—you’ll have already built a strong framework to expand upon. If you are interested in pursuing an art business I hope this has helped in some way and good luck!