5 Easy Steps on How to Create An Artist Trading Card

completely created artist cards
with preliminary sketches

An artist trading card is a miniature representation of an artist's own original creative artwork.  In 1996, M. Vanci Stirnemann popularized the movement of (ACEO) Art Cards, Editions and Originals in Zurich, Switzerland in order to sell or trade amongst artists themselves.  Below are 5 simple steps on how to create an artist trading card.

Materials.  You will need a scissor, papers (any type or color), pencil, ruler, eraser, artists coloring materials (watercolor, oil paint, acrylic, pencil colors, pastels, etc.) depending on your taste and choice, cutting board or table and/or a solitaire card.

Outline, size and Cut.  When all materials are prepared and ready first grab or place a paper on a table or cutting board, place the solitaire card on top of your paper, use a pencil to trace the sides of the card.  Then grab your paper and cut the traced lines with a scissor.  If you do not have any solitaire card, use a pencil and ruler creating a line which is 2.5 x 3.5 inches forming a rectangular shape.

Drafts.  After preparing the base which is the outlined cut out paper start to create your own base draft either using a pencil to draw or the artists coloring materials stated above of your choice.

materials needed and steps
in lining and cutting

Technique and Design.  Finalize your draft using your own artistic style and design (mixed media, oil painting, watercolor, pastel, digital print, etc.) and choices of colors.  Feel free to explore in doing so.

Trade or Sell.  Trade your artist card(s) with friends, use it as a giveaway, or find artist trading card websites through search in the internet to trade or sell your cards.

Artist trading cards helps build popularity and identity of an emerging artist, as an art collection of artist artwork you like the most, help build friendship, and perhaps use as a simple giveaway during your own art exhibition or at your website.