How to make business cards at home for artists

How to make business cards at home: an artistic way of making striking easel business cards that will showcase your art.

Handmade Business Cards

[disclaimer: this is not my original idea. I was trying to look for a good way to make "different" business cards, and browsing online I found this cute design. Through a Google search I could not find where the design was from, the manufacturer seemed disappeared, so, after swallowing the frustration, I decided to take the idea and make it my own]

Very simple and yet very striking

These completely homemade business cards shaped like a cute little easel will allow you in only a few easy steps and a material, to create your own, and showcase all your artwork. In the front we have a very simple design: I decided to make it look exactly like an easel, and only put my paintings on it. On the back you can get crazy and add whatever you wish: business info, website, social media links, or even a cute little phrase. I decided to go for a QR code to link to my Instagram account.

How to make the business cards

Materials:

• Download the templates folders: you will find two image ( .jpg) files for the front and back of the business cards.

Download the templates

• Procreate on Ipad (other software may work as well, but unfortunately I am not familiar with those. If you wish, please comment below with what other software may be used instead)

• Card stock (like Bristol paper. I use 180 gsm)

• A printer

• A pair of scissors

Lets get started:

You can follow the full video instruction on my youtube account.

For the front:

1. You have already downloaded the templates from the folder or you could add the folder on your Google Drive

2. Open Procreate on Ipad, click on the + sign and open a New Canvas choosing the A4 option (if you are creating one from scratch size it at 210 x 297 mm)

3. Click on the Action button (the spanner shaped button on the left top of the screen), and click on insert a file

4. Click on the Google Drive Icon, or on the folder you saved your templates

5. On the main screen the two templates should appear and click on "front template". This should open the template on the main working page and automatically fit the page.

6. Now it's time to get creative. Click on the same spanner/action button and then on insert a photo

7. From your gallery choose the photo of your painting that you would like to add to the front of the business card

8. On the working sheet, click on the photo and change the measurements to 737px - 649px (NOTE: if the photo appears a bit wonky, try and stretch it a but and erasing the margins to fit the given measurements.

9. Now drag the photo within the first square shape of your easel business cards template.

10. Now we want to fill in all the easels, so you can choose another photo and follow the same steps (6 to 9) or copy the same photo as follows:

    1. Go into layers

    2. On the layer of the image swipe left with one finger and duplicate

    3. On the working page drag the photo to the second easel.

    4. Repeat as you wish.

11. Send to printer (I recommend formatting your printer for A4 size paper, and good quality image)

For the back:

1. Repeat the process as per the front but opening the "back template"

2. You can decide now to add another image, perhaps a QR code, if so follow the steps as per the front, adding the QR code that you already saved in your Photo Gallery and sizing it to 737px - 735px , than drag it to the first square, and duplicating the layer for the second and so on. If you'd like to add a text for your business information follow these steps:

   1. Click on the Action Button/Spanner and add text

   2. Click on the text and write all your details

   3. Once the text is formatted to your preference click on the text, and resize to 737px - 649px

   4. Now you can follow the same process as you did for the images i.e.: drag the text to the first square, duplicate the layer and fill the entire page.

3. Send to printer.

Easel Business Cards Example

Making up:

Cut along the lines outlined in red:

Easel Business Card Cutting Lines

I like to keep them flat to carry it easily and give them out in markets and art fairs, and they are a bit of fun for potential customers to get to work and fold them on themselves. Otherwise, you can prepare them folded by following the instruction on the card flap.

Check out my step-by-step video on Youtube!

Please share with me your results, and any feedback you may have!

Soft pastel class for beginners

Soft Pastel class for beginners: a full overview on the basic techniques and materials:

Ready to dive into the vibrant world of soft pastels? Whether you're brand new to pastels or just looking for a relaxing creative outlet, this class is the perfect place to start. You’ll learn everything you need to begin creating stunning soft pastel artwork—from the basic tools and materials to simple techniques that bring your drawings to life.

Here's my latest class on Skillshare:

See the class now!

Find my class on Skillshare

This beginner-friendly class is thoughtfully split into 5 lessons to help you build both confidence and skills. At the end of this course you will be able to master the essential skills of soft pastels painting, and apply them to your own art journey. You can test your learning by working with me on a projects: I will guide you with a step-by-step tutorial to make your own portrait painting. 

You are welcome to submit your final project on the class page, and I will be happy to give you feedback, answer any of your questions and further advice, should you need any. 

We will start with the foundations and get to know your materials:

• Lesson 1: Different types of Soft Pastels: we will understand the difference between student-grade and artist-grade pastels, and learn how to use them safely. We will explore the variety of pastels available, soft pastels, hard pastels, pastel pencils, etc. and choose what is the best for us. 

• Lesson 2: The Best Surface: we will discover the best paper and surfaces to use, and why the most expensive does not necessarily enhance your art.

• Lesson 3: Other tools that may be helpful: we will learn the best blending tools, to smoothly mix colours and create seamless gradients, and a glance into the world of fixatives. 

• Lesson 4: Basic techniques: we will learn all basic blending techniques and we will practice blending to add light, shadow, and dimension to your work.

• Lesson 5: The Final Project: follow along step-by-step with clear, supportive instruction that takes the guesswork out of the process. Watch your confidence grow as you apply what you've learned and bring your portrait painting to life with soft pastels. Submit the project for feedback, and do not hesitate to ask me any questions along the way. 

  
  

  Why You’ll Love This Class:

  ✅ It’s beginner-friendly and super approachable✅ Lessons are short, clear, and easy to follow✅ You’ll walk away with a solid foundation in pastels✅ It’s fun, relaxing, and creatively rewarding! Plus you get your own artwork!

  
  

Find the Reference photo here:

New Skillshare class, how to paint the snow!

Painting snow is one of my favorite subjects.

In this class, I'm revealing all my secrets for painting realistic alpine landscapes, which I've developed through years of experimentation and learning.

You can find my classes on Skillshare at this link: https://www.skillshare.com/en/r/profile/Sam/610933507

Snow watercolor painting

This class is ideal for anyone who loves taking a sketchbook outdoors, perhaps on a hike, or who enjoys painting from the comfort of their own desk.

Are you excited? ;)

In this class, you will learn:

• How to blend colors with CONFIDENT brush strokes

• How to understand color tones and apply them effectively

• How to use two colors to create dynamic color blends

• Various brush techniques to depict distant forests on mountains

• Techniques for painting flying birds

• Finally, how to approach a painting with a cool and calm mind (Important stuff!)

  
  

This class is excellent for both beginners and seasoned artists. I will guide beginners through specific color mixes and techniques, while experienced artists can explore their creativity by painting an expressive landscape using new methods.

I assure you, by the end of this class, you'll have a fresh set of techniques and your own painting of cascading, snowy mountains. ;)