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Tip #7: Is there a story?
Yes, your skill as an artist sells your work...but so does the STORY behind the art. I have discovered, over and over again, that the story makes the painting so much more valuable to my clients. In fact, I just sold a painting of a Rooster because of the story associated with it. So, my tip to you is, think about WHY you create. Is there something behind the image that you've created? If so, SHARE IT! If there isn't a story...think about the feelings you had while creating it and MAKE UP a story for it. Now, I'm not saying lie and create some falsehood...what I'm saying is, create a story around those feelings. What compelled you to create the art. REALLY think about that and share that with your audience. I promise, more people will become even more interested in what you are doing!
Yes, your skill as an artist sells your work...but so does the STORY behind the art. I have discovered, over and over again, that the story makes the painting so much more valuable to my clients. In fact, I just sold a painting of a Rooster because of the story associated with it. So, my tip to you is, think about WHY you create. Is there something behind the image that you've created? If so, SHARE IT! If there isn't a story...think about the feelings you had while creating it and MAKE UP a story for it. Now, I'm not saying lie and create some falsehood...what I'm saying is, create a story around those feelings. What compelled you to create the art. REALLY think about that and share that with your audience. I promise, more people will become even more interested in what you are doing!
Tip #6: Portraits...a tip on eyes
One of the things that I am always told, especially when drawing a portrait of someone who has passed away, is that I captured the spark in their eyes. So, here's a little tip on the eyes that might help you, and might not. One of these days, I will do an instructional video on drawing eyes...but for now, words will have to do.
When I am drawing eyes, I am looking at how the angles relate to one another. Once I have used the "up-side-down and backwards" tips below, I begin to add value to the eyes. The biggest thing to remember is that the eye is a sphere, and should be shaded as such. Many times, artists leave the whites of the eyes WHITE, when in reality, the only white on the eye is the highlight - or catch light - caused by the reflection of light. So, remember to shade the whites of the eyes, very subtle shading or they get too gray and zombie like. You'll know when you've gone too far. Just keep practicing!
One of the things that I am always told, especially when drawing a portrait of someone who has passed away, is that I captured the spark in their eyes. So, here's a little tip on the eyes that might help you, and might not. One of these days, I will do an instructional video on drawing eyes...but for now, words will have to do.
When I am drawing eyes, I am looking at how the angles relate to one another. Once I have used the "up-side-down and backwards" tips below, I begin to add value to the eyes. The biggest thing to remember is that the eye is a sphere, and should be shaded as such. Many times, artists leave the whites of the eyes WHITE, when in reality, the only white on the eye is the highlight - or catch light - caused by the reflection of light. So, remember to shade the whites of the eyes, very subtle shading or they get too gray and zombie like. You'll know when you've gone too far. Just keep practicing!
Tip #5: Up-Side-Down and Backwards
One thing that will help you when trying to recreate a portrait of a person, pet, or any other realistic object is to turn it up-side-down. When you do this, it allows you to look at the subject as shapes and angles, rather than as the THING you are trying to draw.
It is important to train yourself to see things as shapes and angles.
Why?
Because as soon as we think of the NAME of an object...our brain automatically gives us an image of what that THING is. Then we are fighting against what we actually SEE and what our brain thinks it should look like. See things in reverse, or backwards, in a mirror can also help you to see where your shapes and angles are off.
SO, the next time you are struggling with getting an object to look right, try to turn it up-side-down (your reference photo too) or hold it up in a mirror to see what the problem is.
One thing that will help you when trying to recreate a portrait of a person, pet, or any other realistic object is to turn it up-side-down. When you do this, it allows you to look at the subject as shapes and angles, rather than as the THING you are trying to draw.
It is important to train yourself to see things as shapes and angles.
Why?
Because as soon as we think of the NAME of an object...our brain automatically gives us an image of what that THING is. Then we are fighting against what we actually SEE and what our brain thinks it should look like. See things in reverse, or backwards, in a mirror can also help you to see where your shapes and angles are off.
SO, the next time you are struggling with getting an object to look right, try to turn it up-side-down (your reference photo too) or hold it up in a mirror to see what the problem is.
Tip #4: LAYERS CREATE DEPTH
I have been going live regularly on Facebook. In this one, I talked about how to get depth in your paintings. This works best for Acrylic and Oil Painting but can be applied for watercolor as well. Here's the link! If you don't have FB, I apologize. I will be downloading the live videos and loading them to my YouTube Channel, once I get a chance. Have a beautiful day!
I have been going live regularly on Facebook. In this one, I talked about how to get depth in your paintings. This works best for Acrylic and Oil Painting but can be applied for watercolor as well. Here's the link! If you don't have FB, I apologize. I will be downloading the live videos and loading them to my YouTube Channel, once I get a chance. Have a beautiful day!
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Tip #3: SUCCESS PRINCIPLES
(p.s. this works for any line of business you decide to go into, not just an art career) I have had many people ask me how I have gotten to the point I am at. I went from hardly ANYONE knowing that I am an artist in the October of 2014 to winning the Idaho Statesman's Reader's Choice Award for Best Artist in the Treasure Valley in June of 2017. Also receiving the recognition in an international book that will be published in May of 2018 as one of the Best in Contemporary Acrylic Painting. So...here's what I did... 1. I married a man who is super supportive. Be sure that you have someone in your life that supports your dreams. Whether it's a significant other, a friend or family member...you HAVE to have that support. 2. Network like crazy when you are getting started so that people know who you are and what you do. I attended almost EVERY networking group I could during the first year. I have since slowed down on networking in person, but still make sure to get out there from time to time. Artists, networking and meeting people was crucial. I rarely have paid to participate in shows and I did not go the gallery route. You don't have to be in a gallery to be successful. Also, make sure you are applying to online international exhibitions to expand your audience. 3. Create a social media presence. If you aren't on social media, you are losing clients. There are so many people that will find you through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and the like. Get out there, post regularly (at least one time a day) so that you are visible. Remember that most social networking sites have all sorts of algorithms that limit what people see. So don't be overly salesy...if that's even a word. 4. Get help with your mindset...this should be happening during your work on #s 2 and 3. I had the honor of working with some AMAZING people, Lori Dodson, Nancy Rae Allen, and Frank White during the first few crucial months of my career. They truly helped me get my head right and SMASH that idea of the "starving artist". 5. If your current job doesn't cover finances to get started, pick up something else. I started selling skin care through Rodan and Fields. People were SUPER excited to help me grow my art business...and they got great skin care products in return. (If you're interested in hearing about this, shoot me an email.) Through this business I met more amazing leaders like Amy House and Heather Quisel who are also great mindset coaches. 6. Educate yourself. Whatever it is you are deciding to go into, there are countless hours of free webinars to help you in your endeavors. All you have to do is search. Artists, a few of my favorites are Brainard Carey at the Praxis Center for Aesthetic Learning, The Art Biz Coach, and The Abundant Artist and Ann Rae. I have actually become a paying student of Brainard Carey now. But there is plenty of free content out there. 7. Most important - MAKE THE DECISION AND DO IT! Of course, you do need to have some skill at what you are pursuing. And, unless you have a lot of expendable income, you have to be good at marketing, web design and graphics (or use Fiverr), social media, etc. Without these things, you won't go far. Tip #2: GESSO When gessoing your canvas, be sure to sand between layers...unless you are building up texture. You also should apply gesso in different directions, so that you aren't creating a pattern in you layers. I typically apply 3 layers of gesso, unless I am going for a "smooth as a baby's butt" effect. Then I can do as many as six layers. Tip #1: DON'T USE STORE BOUGHT BLACK PAINT I learned from a teacher years ago that store bought black paint flattens your image. It is much better to mix your own black. To do that, you should mix Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Umber together. This will make black. Plus, you can get a richer brown black when necessary...or a more blue toned black depending on what your subject is. |
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