Email:
You can reach out to tracieannekiernan@gmail.com
Please read this FAQ section to see if your question is addressed here. If you need to make changes to your account, you can do so here. For self cancellations, click “Edit” under the billing section (next to community), scroll down and click “Cancel Plan”.
FAQ About Painting & This Website:
Does acrylic paint stain?
Yes it does. I recommend working on a protected workspace and wearing clothing you wouldn’t mind getting a little paint on. If you do get paint on your clothes, you can quickly blot it with a cold soft cloth or have a tide stain remover pen handy. Acrylic paint will wash off of your hands and hair.
Do I need to prep my canvas first?
Most canvases are ready to be painted on. They come already gessoed with a white layer and do not need any prep.
How do I stop my paints from drying too fast?
This will depend on your location. If you live in a dry area (like me, I live in Arizona) you may struggle with keeping your paints moist during the painting session. I find that spraying my palette with a “fine mist” spray bottle helps keep the paint moist. Also, it’s okay to add a bit of water to your brush as you load the color. There are mediums you can try to extend the working time for your paints. I have tried those mediums out and I, personally, just prefer using water to help extend the paints.
Do I have to add a varnish to my painting?
You don’t have to. I only varnish a few paintings I gift or decide that I want to sell. I like to use Liquitex Varnish and apply it with a flat brush. There are also spray varnishes you can try. Always test out a small surface first before applying the varnish to your entire painting.
Can I mix paint brands?
Yes you can! Some people will start out buying a cheap set of craft paints just to get started and then slowly work up a collection of more expensive student grade paints. That is absolutely okay! A lot of my tutorials how a craft paint conversion chart.
Do I have to paint on canvas?
You can paint on any surface! A lot of people like to paint on mixed media paper, rocks, stepping stones, wood, etc. You are not limited to just painting on canvas.
What brushes should I use?
You can read all about brushes here! My favorite brush pack is this Princeton Velvetouch Pack of brushes.
I’m new to painting, where do I start?
Welcome! My website is designed for beginners to learn on their own time and at their own pace. You can see my recommended supply list here. I also have a beginner resource library here. Most people simply pick a tutorial from my gallery of over 100 free tutorials and just dive right in! Each tutorial has the materials list, almost all have a video and picture/ written steps.
Do I have to use the paints and brushes you use?
Nope! Use whatever products you have on hand! A lot of my new tutorials have a section you can use to convert Liquitex to Apple Barrel Crafts. I also provide a color swatch to help you match. Most will look at the color swatch on the tutorial and simply find a color that looks similar to it. As far as brushes go, I let you know what size brush I use but if you don’t have that exact one that is fine! You may achieve the same technique using a similar brush.
What is an ultimate beginner tutorial I should try if I’ve never painted before?
The three easy painting lessons that I recommend are my: “How To Paint An American Sky”, “Sunset Hot Air Balloons” and “Sunflower”. Those three are my most popular tutorials and also make a great FIRST TIME painting!
I want to learn about acrylic painting techniques such as brush strokes, blending, what brushes to use, etc. Where should I look for that?
I have a “resource library” where I publish tutorials on acrylic painting techniques.
Do you take requests?
You can send requests to: tracieannekiernan@gmail.com. Because I get such a large volume of requests, I can’t guarantee if or when a request can be fulfilled. I do not do any commissioned painting tutorials (example: paying me to request a very specific type of painting for a tutorial).
How often do you create new tutorials?
There are 4 free tutorials released each month and 1 bonus members exclusive tutorial released each month. Written tutorials on the website are released on Wednesday night and the YouTube video for that tutorial is released the following weekend. Members get early access to the video tutorial on Wednesday mornings. If there is a month with 5 Wednesdays, I don’t release a new tutorial on one of the Wednesdays during the month.
What is the difference between your free and paid tutorials?
I have hundreds of free tutorials on my website!
As far as the paid ones…I sell PDF downloads to those free tutorials in my PDF shop. For $5, you can download the tutorial as a PDF printable and download the video. This allows you to view them offline without ads. I also have a limited selection of exclusive paid tutorials available here!
In the membership, you get access to the full library of PDF downloads and exclusive tutorials.
What is your membership?
In the membership, you get access to exclusive tutorials, PDF downloads and can view all the videos off of YouTube in an ad-free format. Some of the tutorials include bonus traceables that are not on the free website. Tracie also includes in depth techniques within the membership.
Can I email you a photo of my painting?
Of course! I love getting emails like this and seeing your beautiful creations! You can email: tracieannekiernan@gmail.com If you have FaceBook, I also have a very active FREE Facebook group where members can share their paintings.
How do you come up with your paintings each week?
I’m always thinking of my next painting! It’s a part of my daily life. I’ve trained myself to look for inspiration literally everywhere I go! Sometimes something will pop in my head out of nowhere and I’ll quickly sketch that idea down. Sometimes the design comes out very easy but other times it’s very difficult to get what’s in my head out on paper. Sometimes I will pick a theme that may be seasonal or trending and I’ll do sketches related to that theme. Sketching is the first part of my process. After I feel I have a good sketch, I do a painting rough draft on canvas paper or multimedia paper. I also like painting on my tablet using the “procreate” app! I’ll play around with the colors until I think it “pops” enough and everything seems balanced. Sometimes that means doing multiple revisions. Then I do a final draft!
Can I purchase a member exclusive painting without joining?
There is a limited selection of exclusive paintings available here. However, most of the bonus exclusives can only be found in the membership. You are welcome to join during a month you wish to learn the bonus tutorial.
I want to join for only a month. How do I cancel after that?
You can go to your account settings here and cancel.
Are the bonus tutorials only available during the month they are released?
No. As a member, you will be able to access the entire library of exclusive tutorials. Example: you want to do a bonus tutorial from last July but the month is April. You will be able to access any of the past bonus tutorials that are released! There are also a limited collection of past exclusives that can be bought individually.
Can I sell my painting that I did using your tutorial?
Yes, I am okay with this! The design of the painting, however, is not to be resold (example: you cannot sell rights to my design to others so they can make money off of the painting design too).
Do you have a Patreon?
I do not have a Patreon. However, I do have a membership. You can join or find out more info here about that!
Do you have any drawing or watercolor tutorials?
At this time I only create acrylic painting tutorials.
FAQ About Products/ Membership I Purchased:
How do I cancel my membership?
The easiest way to cancel is to do it yourself in your account. For self cancellations, click “Edit” under the billing section, scroll down and click “Cancel Plan”.
You can also email me directly: tracieannekiernan@gmail.com and I will respond to your request. Weekend and holiday cancellation requests may not be responded to until the following business day.
Do you offer refunds?
Because the tutorials are digital downloads, refunds cannot be honored.
I think I entered my email wrong on sign up!
Let me know right away and I can easily fix this!
My password does not work:
You can reset your password here.
My username does not work or I forgot my username:
You may have forgotten which email you used when you signed up or it is possible you entered your email address wrong when registering your account. It happens! I can easily fix this! Simply email me and I can look up your account to see what email you are registered under. (tracieannekiernan@gmail.com)
I think I created two different accounts with two different emails. Can I combine them?
Yes you may! Please email me and I can fix this for you.
I have another billing related question:
Please email: tracieannekiernan@gmail.com
I am having trouble downloading the VIDEO from a product I purchased:
Because of the nature of the video (it being a large file size) sometimes there can be problems with this download. For example, you need to have enough storage on your device for the video to download or you may not have the correct app to open the video. Whichever the case, feel free to email me and I can provide some solutions to you to help you get access to that video! Also, some of the PDF listings only have a link to the video. If you wish to receive a download copy of the video, let me know and I can send it to you!
FAQ About Using The Tutorials/ Copyright:
Can I sell or gift my finished painting?
Yes! Your finished painting is your painting! Feel free to sell it, gift it, display it, sign your own name on it, etc.! If you are selling online, you can cite: “Tutorial by Tracie Kiernan” or “Inspired from tutorial on www.stepbysteppainting.net”. However, you don’t have to. Also, if you are selling online please use your own picture of your painting and not mine.
Can I create a YouTube video of your tutorial or Do A Free Facebook Live for my audience?
The short answer is no. The long answer: I consider this “commercial use” because you are either monetizing this on YouTube and/or claiming my artwork as your own and building an audience with my art. Please do not recreate my tutorial for this purpose even if you are doing this for free.
Can I have a DIY paint party?
Yes! You can host your own DIY private paint party using my tutorials! In fact, I encourage this! You can see my post here about having a DIY paint party!
If you are a business that profits from the tutorials, please join my small business membership or purchase a single license for the painting your are profiting from. Using my tutorial for your paid event without purchasing commercial rights goes against my copyright policy.
Can I make a paint kit with your tutorial and sell it?
This is considered commercial use and you must join my commercial use single employee membership AND request permission to do this.
Can I use your traceables for my business?
My traceables are a part of my art and hand drawn by me or extracted from a painting that I did! They are free for personal use only. If you are wanting to make money off of my traceables, you must join my commercial single employee use membership or purchase a single use license.
Can I use your painting image from your website and put it on a t-shirt, puzzle, print, keychain, etc. and sell it?
No. This is considered commercial use and I do not allow this unless you have received explicit permission from me. I typically do not allow my art to be for sale on merchandise online so if you see this, please let me know.
How can I reach out to you about using your art for my paint party business?
For paint party business inquiries, please use email: tracieannekiernan@gmail.com. You can also go directly to sign up for the monthly subscription through my membership OR I also have a commercial single use license you can buy in my downloads shop.
I am a non-profit, library, church, volunteer, community worker, school teacher, parent etc. can I use your tutorials for my students and/or fundraiser event?
I am okay with you using my tutorials for this purpose! Please give credit to the website when doing so, especially if you are advertising online and on social media (even if it is a free event). You can tag @tracie_kiernan_art on Instagram or @Step By Step Painting With Tracie Kiernan on Facebook.
I am a blogger and want to link to your tutorial or do a roundup post with some of your artwork?
That is fine, I’m okay with link backs! Just make sure you are linking to my website in your post especially if you are using photos taken from my website and embedding them in your post. I reserve the right to request my images be taken down if they are used without permission or do not have a link back.
I have another special circumstance I want to use your tutorial for, how can I ask you?
Please email: tracieannekiernan@gmail.com with your circumstance.