The Art Book Masterclass — The Creative Practice

The Challenge

You've Mastered Your Craft.
But Does the Art World Know It?

You have incredible paintings or sculptures sitting in your studio. They've been featured in local shows. You have a growing following on Instagram. And yet you sense something is missing — a legitimate credential, a professional presentation, a way to prove to galleries and collectors that your work is serious.

The work is ready. Your packaging isn't.

You know a book could change things. You've seen other artists' books at art fairs, on gallery walls, in collectors' homes. But publishing feels impossible. Where do you start? How much will it cost? Will you end up with a cheap-looking POD book that embarrasses you? And what if nobody buys it?

You have 15 years of paintings and no idea which ones belong in a book — or what order to put them in.

You've looked into printing and the options are overwhelming — POD, offset, fine art giclée — and you're terrified of spending thousands on something that looks amateur.

You've seen other artists with books that look generic, and you refuse to let that be yours.

You're not even sure a book is worth the investment — what if it just sits in a box in your studio?

The difference between artists who get gallery representation and those who remain undiscovered often comes down to one thing — presentation. Your talent isn't the problem. Your packaging is.

Your Guide

Chris Davies

I've spent 20+ years at the intersection of art and publishing, and I've watched this same story play out hundreds of times: an incredibly talented artist creates stunning work, but struggles to get the recognition they deserve because they don't have the right tools to present themselves professionally.

I've been on the receiving end of thousands of artist submissions as gallery director of Fabrik Projects in Los Angeles. I know exactly what makes a curator pause, what makes a collector reach for their checkbook, and what gets tossed in the pile after three seconds. That's what I bring to this masterclass.

What Artists Say

From Artists Who've Worked With Chris

“

"I had a lot of fun working with Chris in designing my book. We produced a little poetic gem that showcased my work beautifully. The whole presentation was quite professional.

A gallery owner said, 'This is the best book I have seen in a long time.' A collector said, 'I proudly put it on my coffee table for others to enjoy.'

Chris has so many wonderful ideas to showcase each artist's particular artistic expression. You can't go wrong investing in your own art book."

— Nancy R. Wise, Artist

Portfolio

Books & Magazines Designed and Published by Chris Davies

Samples of books designed and published by Chris Davies — every book is a unique reflection of the artist's vision, never a template, always a one-of-a-kind publication.

Fabrik Magazine

Richard Erdman — Limited Edition

Jessie Chaney — Memory of a Space

Nancy Wise — Limited Edition

Nancy Wise — Book Cover

Anne Packard — Introspective

Jessie Chaney collector edition with prints

Jessie Chaney — Collector's Edition

Richard Erdman — Monograph

Luc Leestemaker

Jessie Chaney — Interior

Anne Packard — Detail

Richard Erdman — Spread

Luc Leestemaker — Detail

How One Artist's Book Paid for Itself Before It Was Printed

The traditional model: you pay $3,000 to print 100 copies, then spend months trying to sell them. That's backwards.

One of my artists, a mid-career photographer, used the book-in-progress as a pre-sell vehicle. While we were still designing and before any printing happened, she offered a limited edition of 15 signed copies to her existing collector base at $400 each. She got 14 pre-orders, netting $5,600 in pre-production revenue — more than enough to cover her entire print run and professional marketing launch.

The book became a legitimacy signal and a revenue generator at the same time.

That's the power of a professional presentation. When your work is backed by a beautifully executed book, galleries take you seriously. Collectors see it as permission to invest. Other artists see it as proof that you're serious about your career.

How It Works

Your Path to a Professional Art Book in 8 Weeks

This isn't a course where you watch videos and figure it out alone. We work on your actual book together, week by week, until it's done.

Curate Your Story

Weeks 1–3: We look at your entire body of work and select the 30-40 images that belong in your book. More importantly, we sequence them to tell a coherent story about who you are as an artist.

Deliverable: Finalized image selection and layout sequence

Design & Produce

Weeks 4–6: We design your book cover, lay out your pages, handle typography, color correction, and printing logistics. You're approving every decision, not watching from the sidelines.

Deliverable: Print-ready design files and printing quote

Launch & Leverage

Weeks 7–8: We create your gallery submission kit, design your launch strategy, and coach you on how to use this book to open doors with curators and collectors.

Deliverable: Printed books + submission templates + launch plan

Special Guest Speakers

Throughout the masterclass, we'll bring in guest speakers from across the industry — professional printers to walk you through the production process, artists who've published their own books to share what worked (and what didn't), and publishers who can open doors you didn't know existed — including, potentially, the door to publishing yours. Full lineup announced soon.

What You Get

Everything You Need to Publish and Leverage Your Art Book

Print-Ready Art Book

Professional design in your exact specifications, ready for any printer.

Printing & Publishing Clarity

We guide you through POD, offset, or fine art printing — you choose your budget and timeline.

Gallery Submission Kit

Templates, talking points, and a list of galleries primed for artist books.

Marketing & Launch Strategy

Social media plan, press release template, and launch event guide.

Amazon Publishing Setup

Get your book into every major online retailer with a click.

Bonus — Value: $500

Limited Edition Packaging Ideas

Create scarcity and command higher prices with special editions and packaging.

Bonus — Value: $300

Book Launch Event Guide

Playbook for hosting your launch — everything from venue to invitations to pricing.

Bonus — Value: $400

Printing & Publishing Playbook

The complete system — vendor contacts, file specs, timeline, distribution channels.

Bonus — Value: $500

Choose Your Path

Hiring a book designer, printing consultant, marketing strategist, and curator to write your foreword separately would cost $8,000–15,000+. Here's what we've bundled into three clear tiers:

CORE

$897

Self-directed artist who thrives with structure and community

Weekly 90-minute live group sessions (8 weeks)
Professional book layout templates & design resources
Group feedback on your book at every stage
Marketing strategy templates & gallery submission guides
All session recordings — lifetime access
All bonuses included ($1,700 value)

Enroll — Core

PROFESSIONAL

$1,997

Serious artist who wants personal guidance and a book that commands attention

Everything in Core, plus:
Curator or Critic-Written Foreword ($2,000 value)
Three private 1:1 coaching sessions with Chris ($1,500 value)
2 on demand printed copies ($150 value)
Custom gallery outreach strategy ($1,000 value)
Expanded marketing package with press kit ($800 value)
30-day post-program support

Enroll — Professional

DONE-FOR-YOU

$4,497

Artist who wants a signature book, beautifully executed, without lifting a finger

1:1 strategy session to define vision & goals
Complete curation, layout & custom design
Curator or Critic-Written Foreword included
Printing coordination & vendor management
Amazon / IngramSpark publishing setup
2 on demand printed copies ($150 value)
Custom gallery & collector outreach plan
Limited to 5 artists per cohort

Enroll — Done-For-You

Payment plans available at Checkout.

Two Guarantees. Zero Risk.

Our Confidence Guarantee

Attend the first two sessions. If you don't feel the masterclass is delivering real, actionable value, I'll refund your investment in full — no questions asked.

Our Completion Guarantee

If you complete all 8 weeks and don't have a print-ready book by the end, I'll continue working with you one-on-one until you do. You're not done until your book is done.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do I need to commit each week? +

Plan for 3–4 hours: we do anywhere from 90-minute to 2-hour live sessions, plus 1.5–2 hours of your own work on your book. If you can't attend live, all sessions are recorded and available within 24 hours.

What if I don't have enough artwork? +

You'll need a minimum of 20–40 strong images to work with. If you're unsure about your body of work, book a free consultation with me first — we can assess whether you're ready to move forward. You don't need a 200-page book. If your 20 images are strong, that will turn into a 32–48 page book at a minimum, which is still an effective book.

Do I need design software like InDesign? +

InDesign is a great app to have access to — it has a lot of bells and whistles that give you maximum control over your layout. But it's not required. We also work with more accessible tools and templates that don't require design experience. InDesign is included as a bonus resource for those who want to go deeper.

How much does printing actually cost? +

Print-on-demand: $30–100 per book, depending on factors such as size and page count. Professional short-run (100–500 copies): $1,500–3,000 depending on specs. We'll get you exact quotes and help you choose the right option for your goals.

Will I have a finished, printed book by the end? +

You'll have a print-ready design by week 8, guaranteed. Print timelines depend on your chosen method: print-on-demand takes 1–2 weeks, custom runs take anywhere from 4–8 weeks all the way up to 3 months after you approve proofs. There are many factors that go into this, including where the book is printed — locally or internationally.

What if my art "isn't good enough"? +

If you've been creating seriously for any meaningful period and have genuine interest in sharing your work, your art is ready. This is about presentation and positioning, not merit. The masterclass is designed for artists at all career stages.

Is this live or pre-recorded? +

Live. Small group cohorts (max 10 people), live weekly sessions, real feedback. All sessions are recorded and available within 24 hours if you can't make it live.

What happens after the 8 weeks? +

Core tier: You keep lifetime access to all recordings and resources. Professional tier: 30 days of continued support for printing and launch questions. Done-For-You: Full support through the printing and distribution phase.

How do I know which tier is right for me? +

Choose Core if you're self-directed and enjoy learning in community. Choose Professional if you want personal coaching and printed copies included. Choose Done-For-You if you want to hand the entire project off and focus on your art.

Can I upgrade after I enroll? +

Yes. You can upgrade to a higher tier within the first 2 weeks and pay the difference. After that, upgrades are subject to availability.

A Year From Now, You'll Wish You Had Started Today

Galleries won't wait. Collectors won't wait. The art world moves fast, and every month you spend without a professional book is a month you're competing with one hand tied behind your back.

Start Your Book — Enroll Now

Next cohort begins June 15, 2026. Only 10 spots available.

Dates and schedule are subject to change due to scheduling conflicts, instructor availability, or other unforeseen circumstances. Enrolled participants will be notified promptly of any adjustments.

You've Mastered Your Craft.But Does the Art World Know It?