Building an Art Licensing Portfolio: The process, challenges, and what I am learning along the way.

Creating an art licensing portfolio has been one of the most rewarding and challenging endeavors of my creative career. When I first decided to focus on art licensing, I was met with a huge task—deciding which art would be suitable for licensing. As an artist, I’ve dabbled in a variety of styles and mediums over the years: from animal portraits to art for surface pattern design to print-on-demand collections. But when it came time to hone in on licensing, the decisions were many, and the journey was far from straightforward.

The Crossroads: Animal Portraits vs. Commercial Licensing

I’ve always been passionate about animal portrait commissions. They’ve brought me so much joy over the years. But when I made the decision to focus on art licensing, I had to consider whether this was the right direction for my work. The more I thought about it, the clearer it became that art licensing offered me one major advantage: it provided focus. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, licensing allows me to commit to one clear path.

However, that decision wasn’t easy. I found myself wondering whether I should continue with commissions or explore other avenues like surface pattern design or print-on-demand. But the beauty of art licensing is that it’s broad enough to encompass all kinds of styles. I didn’t have to give up my love of animal art for example. Instead, I could figure out how to tweak animal-themed art to make it suitable for licensing—whether it’s through patterns, illustrations, wall art or even more abstract designs that could resonate with a commercial audience.

The Fear of Stolen Art: Password-Protected Portfolios

Another challenge I faced was the fear of having my work stolen. The digital age has made it easier than ever for unscrupulous brands to take and misuse art, which made me extra cautious about how I presented my work. To protect myself and my intellectual property, I decided to implement a password-protected art library for licensing. This allows me to control who sees my full collection, ensuring that only legitimate and appropriate businesses have access to it. While it may seem like a small thing, it gave me a huge sense of peace of mind and confidence as I moved forward in this business. I acknowledge that it may be a bit extra effort for potential licensees and art directors. I did ponder and weigh up the benefits with the drawbacks and for now this is right for my growing business.

The Ongoing Task: Creating, Categorizing, and Keeping Up with Trends

Once I had my portfolio in place, the real work began. Providing a robust supply of art for licensing will be an ongoing task—one that requires constant creation, constant categorization, and constant updating. Deciding which pieces of art fit into which category, and whether they align with current trends, is a constant balancing act. What appeals now might not appeal next year, and I find myself having to predict which themes, colors, and styles will be in demand.

That’s where art calls and collection briefs come into play. These tools have been incredibly helpful in guiding my decision-making process. Art calls give me insight into what brands and businesses are currently looking for, while collection briefs help me create cohesive sets of designs that fit within a specific theme. I’ve also found that working in collections rather than individual pieces has become one of my favorite aspects of the process. There's something about building a cohesive set of designs that are connected, both in style and concept, that I really love.

Why I Love Doing Sets and Collections

Working in collections has its challenges, but I also find it deeply satisfying. The process of creating a series of complementary pieces that tell a story or evoke a specific feeling is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. It feels like I’m not just creating standalone pieces of art, but building a world or theme that can really resonate with a brand’s identity or message.

For me, creating art in sets allows me to express myself in a way that’s both creative and strategic.I get to work within a structure, but there’s still so much room for personal expression.I love knowing that my art can fit seamlessly into a brand's product line, whether it's on home decor, fashion items, or stationery.

The Clarity That Comes with Art Licensing

Ultimately, committing to art licensing has given me the clarity I needed. I no longer have to juggle different paths and projects. Art licensing is a singular focus, and it’s been incredibly freeing. It provides me with the variety that I crave. I know exactly what I’m creating, who my audience is, and how to position myself in a way that adds value to the brands I work with.

Though the process of building my portfolio was filled with difficult decisions, endless learning, and moments of doubt, I wouldn’t change a thing. I now have a deeper understanding of my art, my business, and my path forward. The journey has been challenging, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding—and I’m excited to continue growing within the art licensing world.

Final Thoughts

Building an art licensing portfolio isn’t just about selecting pieces of art; it’s about creating a vision for your work and aligning it with what the market wants. There is always an end product and potential customer to consider.It’s about finding that balance between artistic integrity and commercial appeal. And while the process may seem daunting at first, the clarity that comes with it makes the effort worth it. I can also still create art just for me.

If you’re an artist considering licensing, or you’re just curious about the process, I hope this glimpse into my journey offers some insight into what goes into building a portfolio—and the rewards it can bring.

If you are looking for art for your catalogues or your products I would be only delighted to help you achieve your artistic vision. Simply click on the tab for enquiries to apply and I will send over a password.

Thoughts on how a wide variety of styles and themes can benefit an art director.

As the artist at Reybelle Print Design I offer a unique approach to commercial art licensing and bring a diverse skillset and adaptability that caters to multiple industries, including home décor, stationery and fabric. Some would call it “Multifaceted Creativity”.

Developing a portfolio to showcase a broad range of styles and themes can sometimes feel like walking a fine line. While the diversity of work reflects a rich creative process, it can occasionally appear chaotic or overwhelming for the viewer. At times I have considered streamlining offerings, focusing on fewer mediums, styles and a narrower aesthetic to make the portfolio feel more cohesive. Admittedly it is easier to manage now in the earlier stages of portfolio development, before it gets untamed.

At the moment it is reigned in to watercolour (and ink), goauche, acrylic and digital art. I also use use both Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for editing and cleaning up art for printing. Using both these programmes affects how art appears due to their different approaches :Vector graphics (Illustrator) appear smoother and have a sleeker aesthetic and a more scalable design since they are based on mathematical equations. This means they can be resized without losing quality. On the other hand, Raster graphics (Photoshop) maintain the original look of the artwork but lose quality when scaled but also lend themselves well to a more hand crafted appearance.

Creative versatility is driven by an understanding that different mediums, color palettes and production techniques lead to distinct visual outcomes. Each medium brings its own personality and style…whether it's the fluidity of watercolors, the crispness of digital design, or the texture of hand-drawn illustrations. Add to that the influence of a particular mood board or trend-driven color palette, and the creative possibilities expand exponentially.

While the portfolio could be simplified to feel more uniform, the reality is that different projects demand different aesthetics—and having a varied selection allows clients to find exactly what they need. This diversity of approach is not just about exploring creative boundaries; it's about offering flexibility and providing art that can be adapted across multiple product categories and market needs. It’s all part of the process, and at the end of the day, it all makes sense. The real task is setting the designs out in a way that makes it easy for the viewer to navigate and find what they need easily without becoming overwhelmed (or bored!) as the a portfolio expands.

The Power of Versatility in Commercial Art

One of the key benefits of working with an artist who explores a wide array of styles and mediums is the ability to access a broad range of visual solutions. Rather than being limited to one approach, designs are tailored to fit a variety of themes and aesthetics. Whether a project demands a sophisticated, minimalist design for a high-end product or something more rustic and muted for a hint of vintage nostalgia, I can offer flexibility in artistic style, ensuring that the right design is available for the right application. I just need to keep the end product and the desired aesthetic in mind from start to finish.

By embracing multiple techniques—from watercolor and hand-drawn illustrations to clean digital designs I ensure that each piece is adaptable to different product categories, whether it’s for soft goods, home décor, stationery, or fashion accessories. The ability to switch between various methods means that the designs can easily translate from concept to finished product, ensuring that each piece not only looks beautiful but also works within the constraints of production, for example substrates and dimensions.

A Deep Understanding of Market Trends

In addition to offering variety, I foster a heightened awareness of market trends in order to create designs that feel fresh and relevant. The understanding of both timeless design principles and current trends helps ensure that the artwork remains commercially viable and in demand. Although I stay attuned to changing market trends I don’t follow them blindly. My focus is to create designs that offer both modern appeal and enduring quality.

End-to-End Design with the Product in Mind.

Designs are thoughtfully crafted with the end product in mind—whether it’s a greeting card, a kitchen towel, or a women’s fashion print. Every piece is made to fit seamlessly into the commercial process, ensuring that it works in real-world applications. Working with an artist who understands how designs are used in final products is invaluable. Not only is there a focus on artistic expression but also on practical application during the creative process. Designs are created with an awareness of scale, color palette, layout and printing methods ensuring that they will translate seamlessly onto different products, from textiles and stationery to home goods and apparel.

Benefits to Art Directors and Creative Teams

By collaborating with me at Reybelle Print Design, art directors can benefit from:

1. A selection of styles and themes that can be tailored to meet specific project needs, whether it’s for a contemporary product or a more traditional aesthetic.

2. Flexibility in design solutions, allowing for adaptations across different categories and industries, ensuring that the right design is available for each unique project.

3. Trend-aware designs that are relevant to current market demands while maintaining a timeless quality that works across product lines.

4. An artist who is commercially savvy, thinking about how each design will function in the real world, helping to bridge the gap between creative expression and production feasibility.

5. Efficient communication and a streamlined process when working with someone who understands the production process and can provide designs ready for licensing and product implementation.

A Work-in-Progress Portfolio & Continuous Learning

As part my commitment to excellence, the licensing portfolio is an ongoing work-in-progress, being continually updated as new designs are created and added. Much of the artwork is inspred by the design briefs that I undertake as part of educational programmes created by expert mentors.While some of the work will (in time) remain exclusive to select clients, there’s always an effort to keep the collection fresh, relevant, and adaptable to the ever-evolving commercial art industry. This is why I value mentorship that includes design briefs and art calls so much and continuous professional development is a priority.This combination of formal education and hands-on experience ensures that Reybelle Print Design continues to offer top-tier, trend-aware designs with a strong commercial focus.

My ultimate goal is to be a designer and artist who embraces diversity in style and flexibility, meaning art directors and other clients have access to a well-rounded portfolio that can support a range of design needs. I know this will take time and I prefer not to churn out designs to merely fill in gaps. I prefer to offer art directors and creative teams the benefit of versatility without sacrificing quality and ensure that that no matter the project, there can be a design created ready to enhance the product and meet market demands.

Explore the growing portfolio today and discover how these versatile designs can elevate your next product line.

Reybelle Rambles: A Creative Journey Begins

Art has always been my beautiful burden.

It is all consuming, all inspiring and constantly challenging. In a very fulfilling way. From sketching to painting to experimenting with new techniques, the creative process is both my passion and my purpose. But it’s also a journey—a winding path filled with lessons, doubts, triumphs, and (yes) ramblings.

I have spent years learning this craft , but in the last little while I have been really drawn (pardon the pun) to surface design for the home decor, stationary and women’s lifestyle industries. It is a fascinating, exhilarating and at times overwhelming process to build a portfolio that reflects my eclectic mix of styles and ideas.

You see, creativity is never linear. Sometimes it’s an explosion of color, sometimes it’s a soft, muted tone; it’s an ever-evolving blend of inspiration, technique, and vision. And as I build this portfolio, one thing is becoming abundantly clear- my work is wide ranging. I love experimenting with a variety of styles and topics in different mediums, from soft watercolour florals to rustic pet portraits to smooth vectors in Adobe Illustrator and from hand-drawn illustrations to digital patterns. And yes, I know this might make my portfolio feel a little... full on! especially as it becomes more established.That’s why I am choosing surface design and art licensing as a way forward because there are so many homewares, walls art pieces, textiles, paperwares and clothing items in this world that people use to uplift surroundings, express individuality and fulfill a need. People need our designs and our art and our unique perspective. So what’s in it for me?? Variety of course.There is so much creative potential in this industry and so many ways to pivot it can cause a headspin.

Having these (let’s call them “multipotentialite”) tendencies means there is freedom to explore different creative outlets and I do understand the value of focusing on market trends, both emerging and evergreen and delivering what art directors, designers, and buyers need. By working closely with others we can to create work that resonates, tells a story, and ultimately enhances the products it adorns.

But here’s the thing…creativity, as much as it flows, can also be a burden. A beautiful one, yes, but a weight all the same. It’s all-consuming. It’s hard to “turn off” the ideas, especially when life’s other demands are pulling you in different directions. I have burned a few dinners on this journey, trying to finish a painting and all of a sudden it is dinner time. I have quickly realised that multitasking is not my thing.I still do it. Also, I still work as a community nurse full time. Now there’s a career where you quickly learn to hone your time management skills. It has served me well.

For me, starting a blog is madness! It requires time, commitment and consistency. It is yet another ongoing task that will sit on my shoulders and whisper in my ear “Well hello multi tasker or multipotentialite or whatever you want to call yourelf…don’t forget me now that you brought me into this world, I actually exist and believe it or not I can’t write myself!. So forget Netflix tonight and give me some love”.

"Reybelle Rambles" is a space to reflect, share the ups and downs, and offer a peek behind the scenes of this creative journey. It's a space where I can share my thoughts, unique perspectives and growth that comes from chasing this artistic dream. I might even inspire someone!

This journey is underpinned by my love of lifelong learning and an innate passion for self improvement. It started in 2010 in Sligo, Ireland under the guidance of the wonderful artist and teacher Eamon Dowdican. A love affair with oil painting started. And I learned the basics that have stayed with me. Thanks Eamon. Fast forward 14 years and I am now based in Canberra, Australia. Mediums have been added …watercolour, charcoal, pen and ink, acrylics, gouache and most recently digital art.The educational emphasis is now on the business end of things. Shout out to world class gurus in the industry with whom I undertook mentoring and programmes.. from Stacie Bloomfield to Cass Deller and the Print School in Sydney and this year Angela Staehling for the ultimate art licensing for products course and Creative Studio Collective …complete with real time art calls.I love to undertake monthly design briefs and art calls through in order to skill up at working to deadlines and tailoring designs to exactly what the client needs. Every new design I create is a step closer to that goal of licensing my work for products that will be found in stores —and that journey is one I can’t wait to share.

So welcome! Whether you’re an art director, a fellow artist, or just someone who’s curious about the creative process, I invite you to join me on this adventure. Let’s explore what it means to ramble together artists, entrepreneurs, and a creative spirits.

Where things are up to now>>>

There is a portfolio to show examples the styles and themes.

An Art Licensing portfolio is well underway and all my new work will live there.

I am definitely keen to collaborate and help creative business directors achieve a creative vision.

New work and collections will be added on an ongoing basis.

The portfolio will be updated also especially if new styles / themes emerge.

Lets get to work.>>>