Alright friend, hear me out. Youâre standing there, staring at your canvasâor your art journal page or junk journal coverâwith that âwhat the heck do I do now?â energy. Iâve been there more times than I can count (hello, blank canvas panic). But not so recently, while making one of my homemade pizzas (my family will back me up here), I had a little revelation. Growing up and as a high school student, I spent countless hours at my cousin's pizza place restaurant and then working the counter at a very popular pizza place in my hometown. I ate and made ALOT of pizza.Â
Creating art is just like making pizza.
No really. Just like a good pizza, your art is built in layers, from the bottom up. Each step matters, but none of them tell the full story on their own. And girl, you wouldnât eat a pizza straight out of the oven halfway doneâso why are you judging your art when itâs only halfway there?
Letâs break it down, pizza style.
1. The Surface = Your Pizza Crust
The foundation of it all. Just like you wouldnât plop toppings on thin air, you need a surface.
Whether itâs a stretched canvas, an old hardcover book you're turning into a junk journal, or a wooden signâit all starts here. That crust needs to be strong enough to hold your vision.
And no oneâs judging the crust. You donât see people picking apart the dough before it's baked. So stop judging your blank canvas. Itâs just the beginning.
2. The Background = The Tomato Sauce
The sauce is the thing that pulls it all together. Itâs not flashy, but itâs vital.
That background or the texture in your art journal? Thatâs your sauce.
It sets the tone. It creates the vibe. Itâs rich and delicious, but not the star. And thatâs okay.
Without it, everything else would feel like itâs floating in space. Bland and chaotic. No thank you.
I have a few step by step video tutorials on my Youtube channel for creating the perfect background for acrylic painting here:Â
Teresa's Spot for Art
3. Main Elements = The Mozzarella Cheese
Now weâre getting to the good stuff. The creamy, dreamy part that makes your pizza a pizza.
In art, this is where you lay down your big shapes, focal points, and key pieces and elements.Â
It might be a bouquet of bold blooms in your painting, or the vintage book pages you collage into your journal. Either wayâthis is the thing that starts to feel like youâre getting somewhere. And just like cheeseâit melts, blends, and pulls everything together in a delicious harmony.
4. The Details = The Toppings ( What is your favorite pizza topping?)Â
Now this is the fun part. The final flourish. The razzle dazzle.
Toppings are personal. Some love classic pepperoni. Others go rogue with pineapple and jalapeĂąo. And some brave souls... anchovies. đł (this is me)
In your art, toppings are the details. A highlight. Shading. A scribbled word. A stitched border. A hint of gold foil. A dab of pink here, a swipe of teal there. More highlights. An Outline. These are the bits that bring your story to life and make it unmistakably yours.
Donât be afraid to experiment. This is where you get to play.
Get started making your "pizza" with my step by step complete acrylic art kits. These art kits take you through the entire art process so now uncooked pizza for you.Â
5. Step Away While It âCooksâ
Here's the truth: whether you're making art or pizza, there comes a point when you need to back off. Brushes DOWN!Â
Let it breathe. Let the flavors (or the layers) settle. Go grab an iced coffee, take a walk, water your plants, or go to bed.
Just give your art time to "cook."
Because looking at it too long can make you blind to the beauty thatâs unfolding. You need distance to see the magic.
Final Thought: Donât Eat the Pizza Half-Baked đ
Would you pull your pizza out of the oven while the cheese is still cold and the crust is raw? Nope. So stop tossing your paintbrush across the room when your painting isnât perfect in stage two.
Give your art time. Let it finish. Trust the process.
Because just like pizza, art needs each and every layer. And when itâs done? Itâs SO worth the wait.
- Teresa XO
