1. Know your models: Painting friends and family members can save you money and time. Plus, your intimacy and familiarity with your subjects will shine through in your work.

2. Limit your social networking and marketing to set periods of time. Waiting for someone to comment on the latest painting you posted online is like watching water boil. It won’t help your artwork.

3. It’s all about momentum. There’s no silver bullet for launching a successful career, but no matter what, you have to keep working. It may happen for you 10 years from now or it may happen tomorrow.

4. Don’t try to do everything yourself. If you can shop certain aspects of your career out, such as the framing of your work, do it to save yourself more time for painting.

5. Set yourself apart. It’s a very competitive field and a retail-based market. Lock into your mission and passion and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing.

The subject of Ella (shown above; watercolor on paper, 14x20) is an artist who paints florals. "As a child, I was fascinated by her colorful paintings," says Robinson. "She's in her 90s and is still active in the local arts community."

For more great advice and examples of Mario Robinson's portrait work, check out the April 2010 issue of Watercolor Artist magazine, on newsstands this week.