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Fine Art Blog
Part Nineteen
High Impact Color and Composition
Color conveys a mood - this one is soft and peaceful -- they are the colors next to each other on the color wheel plus an opposite color.
Use the opposite color wheel colors to create the appearance of life and intensity in both colors.
Opposites include various tones and shades.
Blue - Orange (baby blue and peach)(navy blue and brown)
Red - Green (pink and mint)(burgundy and pine green)
Yellow - Violet (light yellow, sand and lavender)
Composition, color theory, drawing, brush technique - all the elements of a beautiful painting - and all subject to your personal vision. They are worth studying by looking at art that you like, just google art subjects you would like to study. Also search Youtube.
Selling Art
If you follow the art auctions you will learn that there is art being sold for large sums of money that is no different and no better than the average amateur painter. If you didn't know someone put a high price on them, you would not recognize most of them as "valuable." On the other hand, some very complicated and skillful paintings are not being sold at all.
Selling art is an art. It is "good marketing" to the right audience. Finding a niche (and being original) is more important than mastering all aspects of painting.
Picaso had to find an audience for his unique work. His art was original, not realistic and not generally a painting style for adults. His audience was and is very appreciative, but they are a niche group that have made his art very valuable within that group, not the general population.
Picaso's true genius really was "marketing." He "dreamed his dreams and then painted his dreams." It has a nice ring to it.
People want "unique" art.
I'm not saying this to be critical, Picaso proved art is about proper "marketing."
That means your original art can find a niche also.
That's why you shouldn't throw away your paintings. In some cases, the more odd it is, the more it will sell for. I know many artists are wondering why some of their art sells but the works they actually like - don't sell.
And nobody knows.
The painting is "seen" when the story is understood, even if what is understood was not the artist's original intention.
The story is its unique selling point.
Painting
One of the best things about painting is that you get to develop a technique and then compose paintings about subjects you appreciate in the form you would like them to be.
Some things are very difficult to capture with paint. If you love horses, you will often be in awe of seeing them in person or in a brilliantly photographed image with perfect light. A prancing horse with a well lit mane and tail can be so stunning that they are almost impossible to capture in a painting because lighting dramatizes their form.
Portraits of dogs are also among the most difficult to paint because the personality doesn't easily translate to paint.
A violet purple tree and blue leaves with orange and green highlights and a peach sky are opposites on the color wheel (blue and orange, peach) plus a triad (violet, orange, peach and green). This color scheme will appeal to many people who like art simply because the colors are unique and surprising - even if the painting itself is relatively simple.
This is one reason photographers have embraced Photoshop, in spite of criticism by amateur photographers who don't understand how color affects a photograph. You almost never get the colors and lighting you want by taking a photograph. And you can remove eyesores from the image.
Materials
The best materials for you are dependent on your skill level and the goal of your paintings.
If you paint out of the tube, many experts will find the more expensive colors are recognizable.
If you mix colors, people would most likely be hard pressed to know the price point on most of the colors you use on a painting.
High priced colors are expected to retain their color much longer (lightfast) on most (but not all) of the expensive tubes.
Price also does not indicate level of transparency of watercolors. Transparency is appreciated because it allows the texture and whiteness of the paper to show through.
High price is sometimes indicative of the high level of pigments, special colors and costly materials.
Some colors of blue and red, which are very beautiful, are not available at lower price points.
If you don't really know much about composition or color theory, you are probably not going to be happy with your paintings regardless of the materials you use.
If you can't draw - expensive paint will not improve your drawing. Practice drawing before you spend money on expensive paints.
You need practice just to learn how to hold a brush. You should get a few different size and shaped brushes (inexpensive), not a one size expensive brush.
Color mixing is also a challenge. You can purchase an excellent variety of inexpensive paints in many premixed colors.
I paint dry on dry which works well with both inexpensive and expensive paints. I use inexpensive watercolor paints, brushes and paper. I paint for scanning into a computer, from which most prints and designs are made.
Paintings destined to be scanned do not require archival, premium paints or specialized paper. They can be done in a sketchbook.
I use watercolor pencils and Tonbow markers - they are water media, which spread like watercolor paint using a wet brush. They are also easier to control than painting directly with a brush.
If you are selling your art originals - that is the place for using expensive materials, they respond differently and are in most cases the colors are more archival.
If you aren't selling your paintings yet, you should be having fun which makes it easier to create, and not feel guilty about the cost of your materials.
You can have fun learning. In reality, you are going to be an amateur for awhile and not be thrilled with your paintings, but don't throw them away. Sometimes you can revisit a painting and see an obvious improvement you can easily make.
Too much or too little contrast or a lack of an attractive center of interest are things that can be fixed with gouache on a watercolor painting.
I use gouache paints because it is an opaque watercolor, which nicely covers regular watercolors. I prefer having lots of premixed colors at a relatively low price.
Gouache also allows you to add lighter color elements at the end of your painting instead of having to mask off the whites at the beginning.
Gouache is now considered part of the approved watercolor family for painting at all levels.
Watercolor mistakes - you can dab a little water on a mistake, let it sit for about 10 seconds and blot with a paper towel. Repeat as necessary. Then paint over it with gouache.
I paint dry on dry. I keep the paper dry to control the paint. It also limits the amount of water on the paper, which keeps it from buckling.
Expensive paper allows you to use special techniques - using a lot of water will allow the paints to run free for a beautiful and surprising effect. Heavy water makes it almost impossible to control and the expensive paper needs special handling.
You can create drawings with waterproof ink to give a form and shape to freeform watercolor washes.
Paintings for sale as original art, such as a commission, should be created from high quality materials with paints marketed as being lightfast, meaning the color is expected to be extremely stable.
Center of interest
A painter might find charm and cleverly portray man-made elements while attempting to recreate an outdoor scene - like power lines, poles, cars, or hanging laundry. A photographer will work to take them out. They can be painted in an unobtrusive way that adds to a painting - but usually they do not add to a painting, especially in the middle - unless they are essential to the story.
The area with the strongest contrast will become the center of interest, whether you want it to be or not. You can accidentally make an eyesore - in terms of lack of charm, design, color or power - to be the center of interest.
Yellow, orange and red will almost always become the center of interest. Too much of them is hard to look at. But they can be pleasing in varying degrees of light, dark (values) and desaturation.
Strong contrast can occur with light and darks.
A neutral color like black, gray or brown will enhance and promote any color next to it.
Strong contast frequently does occur using highly saturated and opposite color wheel colors.
A center of interest on one side can be balanced and supported by a large attractive, but noncompeting area on the other side, bringing focus back to the center of interest.
A center of interest is usually not placed in the center, although there are times it is appropriate, as in portraits of animals and people.
Composition
Curved lines are always more attractive than straight lines. Try to avoid straight lines. They don't add to a design, especially in the center of a painting.
A straight line will add stability and strength to a rendering of a tall building. Buildings are more attractive if the straight lines are covered by plants, trees, flowers, people, signage, window awnings, etc.
A road should have curves and be surrounded by trees that have curves.
An S curve is always more attractive than a straight line.
Curves have rhythm, one of the most important elements of design.
Three circles are more attractive than three squares - it is actually hard to find things that are square.
A tree is always more attractive than a man made object. A tree should not be a straight line up and down with straight branches. A tree should bend gracefully and have wavy branches with dabs of color for leaves applied in a rhythmic but unequal pattern. And all the trees should be different. A tree can add grace to an otherwise boring composition.
Three points of color in a triangle (color repeats) are more attractive than the four points of a square.
A composition with one point of a three point triangle (color repeats) in the top part of athe painting, not necessarily in the middle, will have a balanced, comfortable feeling.
If one point of the three point triangle is in the bottom part of a painting, while two points (color repeats and not at equal levels) are in the top part, it can create a sense of movement.
Dominant colors
Yellow, orange and red in a saturated form make a better accent color (small area).
Yellow, orange and red are extremely and universally appealing in unsaturated plus lighter and darker shades and tones of varying degrees - and can be used freely.
Learn the emotional meaning of colors. The dominate colors in a painting will create the mood.
People who love blue, green and violet generally don't buy things that are bright red, bright orange or bright yellow. But small points of red, orange and yellow will usually enhance blue, green and violet by bringing them to life.
Uplifting color - an overall light and medium shade painting has a much more pleasant, uplifting impact than a dark, moody painting.
Color opposites on the color wheel can be blended together to produce a neutral gray or desaturated color or used fully saturated.
Fully saturated colors are dominant, and are enhanced by neutral colors. Neutrals such as brown, sand and gray add "realism" to a painting so they are valuable assets used in the right place.
A painting should have a white point and a black point, even if they are not completely white or complely black, and they can be very small in size. A painting should also have varying degrees and light and darks (values).
Dark and moody are not good sellers. 'Starry Sky' by Van Gogh is not a dark moody painting even though it is a night painting. It is also so unique that it is an acquired taste. However, history has shown that some people will buy dark paintings, as well as the bizarre and depressing.
Look at the dominant colors and assess the mood of the paintings. Mood is almost as important as subject.
Nature is most appealing in her daytime colors, especially with a warm glow as seen at sunrise and sunset. That warm glow is illustrated with accents of soft colors of pink, peach and lavender.
Brushes
When you use the same brush to paint colors that are opposites, you will mix them and produce dull, desaturated colors, which may be unpleasant.
Some artists keep multiple inexpensive brushes on hand and frequently change them while painting to keep colors fresh and unmixed.
Research is key. Look carefully for the colors that dominate the painting and those used to create the center of interest.
You will learn more on Pinterest, Youtube and Facebook about art than almost anywhere else, and they are free. Nobody can explain painting to you. It has to be seen.
High impact colors
Colors opposite each other on the color wheel can produce a high impact.
Two sets of color opposites can produce an even higher impact, especially those equal distance from each other.
Colors placed next to black will also have a high impact.
Red - Green - Yellow Orange - Blue Violet
Violet - Yellow - Blue Green - Red Orange
Blue - Orange - Red Violet - Yellow Green
Peaceful Triads
Primaries - Secondary - Tertiary
Red, yellow and blue are the Primary Triad - quite popular - and used to some degree by most artists.
Secondary Triad
Orange, green and violet are the Secondary Triad. They are the colors created by mixing the primary colors with each other. They should be stretched to include various tints and shades of each them, rather than just one shade seen on a color wheel. It shouldn't be ovious that your painting is a triad exercise of orange, green and violet.
Tertiary Triads
- The Tertiary Triads are the remaining colors on the color wheel created by mixing the primary and secondary colors.
- Tertiary - Red-violet, Yellow-orange, Blue-green
- Tertiary - Red-orange, Yellow-green, Blue-violet
The Secondary and Tertiary Triads sometimes seemed "forced" when used as blobs of each color, since they are not colors usually seen in nature in those configurations.
Subtle additions of a few other colors are generally beneficial, such as tints and shades of colors on the color wheel that are adjoining the dominant color.
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Fine Art Blog
Part Eighteen
Color - is the best way for you to up your game.
Have you memorized the color wheel?
Have you memorized the color opposites?
Have you memorized the color triads?
Can you tell the difference between yellow orange and red orange?
What color is a tree, a leaf? How many colors can you use to paint a tree? Have you really looked at leaves up close?
I have seen trees painted in every possible color and often the more absurd the color - the more beautiful the end result of the painting.
While it might seem ridiculous, you will learn more about color by using the wrong colors and finding out how stunning your art will become.
One way is to use color triads for color schemes, such as red orange or purple for tree trunks.
The practice of painting trees, in a variety of shapes and colors, is one the best ways to develop your creativity and original style.
Trees are a universal symbol of long life, maturity and stability - a reliable subject for art.
The colors you like will greatly affect your use of color in your art. And the colors will be a deciding factor in who likes your art.
The colors in a painting can be the single greatest eliminating factor in who buys or not buys your art, especially if all other variables are equal.
If you only use the colors you like, you are limiting the audience that will enjoy and buy your art.
Learn the colors on the artist's color wheel.
Memorize the color wheel.
Until you memorize the colors, it's hard to tell orange from red orange unless you hold them up against red and/or yellow.
Learn the emotional meaning of colors.
People who love blue, green and violet generally don't buy things that are bright red, bright orange or bright yellow.
Color preference cannot be predicted or even understood, but people seem to maintain their high preferences on one side of the color wheel or the other over their lifetime.
Of course there are people who have an overall appreciation for the majority of colors, which may be gained over time.
Colors can be uplifting - or not.
Lighter shades of color are emotionally uplifting. Regardless of which colors you use, an overall light and medium shade painting has a much more pleasant, uplifting impact than a dark, moody painting.
Colors opposite each other on the color wheel can blend to produce neutrals which become varying shades of light, medium and dark.
Neutrals such as brown, sand and gray add "realism" to a painting.
Light, medium and dark are often referred to as "value."
In photography you usually have a white point and a black point in a photograph - with unlimited medium shades (values) in between. Your painting should have a white point and a black point, even if they are not completely white or complely black, and they can be very small in size.
Bright yellow-orange sunflowers in a meadow convey a different message from dark pine green evergreen trees on a dark blue mountain side under gray cloudy skies.
A person who does not like the color of yellow-orange, would probably never buy a sunflower painting. But that person most likely would find the shades of pink roses very appealing.
There probably are very few people who might buy a moody dark painting of evergreen trees in a dark forest under moonlight.
Many more people would probably prefer a light blue sky, green grass and assorted pine and deciduos trees next to a creek reflecting a blue sky.
A blue and green painting can take many forms, in various shades of light and dark.
The more you research and study the work of other artists, the more natural and intuitive your art will become.
Research will enable you to paint with more confidence, because it will be more obvious to you when the composition, elements and colors are balanced in a pleasing way.
Composition needs a center of interest, not usually centered in the painting, plus a balance of a light source, and shadows. The center of interest can have a few supporting shapes or colors as accents.
The area of highest contrast will become the center of interest whether you plan it or not.
Research will give you a close-up look at how other artists use color in many unexpected ways.
Pinterest, Youtube and Facebook are among the best sources of instruction on technique.
Each brush shape produces very different marks on the paper or canvas. A brush that is too large for details will create a much more loose or abstract stroke. A small brush makes small marks, forcing you to paint with more care and precision. Paint is very different in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pencil, watercolor pencil, pastel, etc.
Do you know the color songs?
Color is exciting - high saturation, yellow, orange and red or yellow green and turquoise
Color can be garish and loud - large areas of highly saturated red and/or orange with lime green
Color is peaceful - colors adjoining each other on the color wheel, pastels, green, blue, violet
Color is romantic - pink, peach, sky blue, lavender
Color can be dull - low saturation, neutrals, dark pine green, dark burgundy, brown, gray
The color intensity in saturation, lights and darks create the message.
Color can be dramatic - high contrast of light and darks, opposite color wheel colors
The Colors
Red is warm, exuberant, angry, shouts.
Yellow is warm, cheerful and sunny.
Orange is warm, jumps up and down.
Lime green is energetic and electric.
Blue is cool, tranquil, dignified, soothing, peaceful, stable.
Green is cool, harmonious and unifying.
Soft orange - peach - warm, is welcoming.
Brown is warm, dependable, traditional.
Burgundy is cool, adds life to dark colors.
Grey is serious, conservative, professional, sophisticated.
Black is permanent, alone it is depressing.
The dominant color - usually the louder colors - such as yellow or red - occupy the most visual space. Even if they don't occupy the most actual coverage on the paper, they will convey the first impression and response to it. You will see the red first.
Art can lower your blood pressure.
A more peaceful subject and colors will appeal to a more mature and older group who will value having their blood pressure lowered. The right colors and subject can bring down blood pressure in such a way that a viewer may even notice a sense of peace. Since they are more likely to have discretionary funds, it is good business to research subjects and colors likely to lower blood pressure - which are not lions and tigers, but would be water scenes, landscapes, gardens, plants, flowers, still lifes, etc.
That is one of the foundations of the business of art - what is the point of the story?
The Audience
If you are painting for the market place, you are painting for someone else's enjoyment, not yours. Colors next to each other - on the color wheel - are visually appealing and harmonious.
Choose three colors next to each other on the color wheel for your dominant colors with an add (up to a 70/30 ratio) of the opposite color of one of them.
Choose five colors, or more. next to each other on the color wheel. The important thing is that you use all five (or more) of them.
Expand your color selection to include at least all the cool colors or all the warm colors.
Choose one color and paint in the various tints and shades of that color.
Color triads are another option for color selection, but they take a lot more skill, work and usually some additional colors to create a harmonious color scheme. They can look forced if there isn't sufficient light and shadow to create variety.
Triads - Primaries - Secondary - Tertiary
Triads are equal distance from each other on the color wheel.
Triads can keep your focus on creativity.
Primary Triads
Red, yellow and blue are the Primary Triad - quite popular - and used to some degree by most artists.
Secondary Triads
Orange, green and violet are the Secondary Triad. They are the colors created by mixing the primary colors with each other. They should be stretched to include various tints and shades of each them, rather than just one shade seen on a color wheel. It shouldn't be ovious that your painting is a triad exercise of orange, green and violet.
Tertiary Triads
The Tertiary Triads are the remaining colors on the color wheel created by mixing the primary and secondary colors.
Tertiary - Red-violet, Yellow-orange, Blue-green
Tertiary - Red-orange, Yellow-green, Blue-violet
The Secondary and Tertiary Triads sometimes seemed "forced" when used as blobs of each color, since they are not colors usually seen in nature in those configurations.
Subtle additions of a few other colors are generally beneficial, such as tints and shades of colors on the color wheel that are adjoining the dominant color.
Color Wheels and Triads are on my "What's New" page.
http://falling-star.com/whatsnew.html
The most peaceful colors
Nature has a preference for green and blue in combination with water, trees, rolling hills adorned with colorful flowers to lower your blood pressure.
The sky, ocean and seas consists of thousands of shades of blue and green. People who have spent time around the water are likely to want paintings that depict the relaxing properties of water.
Brown and gray add a contrast that strengthens other colors, and lends realism to a painting.
A drive in country can bring your blood pressure down.
You can bring that peace to your art.
Color should not be used in blobs of just one color, but in dabs, strokes, spots, flecks, splatters, glazes, shades, mixes, marks, scratches, and variations of the dominant color. You can add accents from adjoining color wheel colors.
You can add one accent color from a triad.
You can add an opposite on the color wheel as an accent color will bring the colors to life that you can't get any other way.
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The Best Color for Great Art
Fine Art Blog
Part Seventeen
Great artists from every century have amazed us with their use of color.
They have created light and shadow using bright and dark colors other than white, gray and black.
They have created highlights using colors that are opposites on the color wheel.
The mastery of color in art to convey a message is the signature of a successful artist.
Color is affected by the colors around it. They often appear to be different than what is in the tube. That means it can be surprising to find out what colors an artist actually used. It is very informative to view youtube videos to watch brush strokes, brush shape, paper selection, and color choices.
Color can say many different things. Color can sing.
Color is exciting.
Color is dramatic.
Color is peaceful.
Color is romantic.
Color can be dull.
Color can be garish.
There is a color for everything.
The color is the message.
Sometimes the smallest changes make a dramatic difference.
Color will make the difference between annoying, boring, dynamic, sophisticated or peaceful.
Art can lower your blood pressure.
The best color for your art depends on your audience. You need to find out who likes your subjects and style. Are they male or female, young or more mature? The young don't tend to have $300 to pay for the art that took you 100 hours to paint. So they feel you are unreasonable and you are miserable because you are not making minimum wage. Be mindful of the financial resources available to the group who are attracted to your art. More mature individuals who can afford to buy art may not care for the subjects you like.
If you want to sell art, you will have to do some research and learn something about the marketplace and price points. You have to learn the business of art and the multiple ways you can work to actually make money.
Getting into a gallery or becoming "high priced" is the least likely way to sell art for most people because your art is not "unique" enough I'm not "feeling it"
You can do research on art houses and see what sells. There is an "art machine" that fast tracks art that is "different," has a "unique selling proposition," and multiple "art experts" who are willing to stake their professional standing on the art pieces going up in value. The "sales pitch" is more important than the "art." If you can convince me that I can see the "creation of the universe," the "soul having an epiphany" or the "rage of the persecuted" - you can probably sell a 12 x12 ft painting to someone who connects to it and will pay a fortune to hang it in their 1,500 sq ft foyer in their five million dollar house. And yes, it would be really nice if you show up in a very expensive car and clothes, so I won't feel stupid giving an unemployed individual a whole lot of money.
Gallery art and/or high priced art has to connect with the buyer's emotions or meet investment criteriadeep meaning or extremes of life touch the emotions of love, rage, persecution epiphany the creation of the universe judged by the "experts" to be a sure thing to increase in value - as this is the true meaning of the value of art and the basis for its price.investment buyers usually are not art lovers.it's not the artists who get the big checks, it's the resellers.
I covered some suggestions for selling your art in an earlier blog post. Some subjects do sell to art lovers and prices do increase as your art matures. Don't expect to get $1,000.00 for a painting just because it took you 100 hours to paint it - there is no hourly rate on art. As your art matures you will become more efficient and accomplish more in less time.
An artist who gets a lot of sales usually has a formula for creating multiple pieces at one sitting so that he/she can make them similar but different. Each one is an original but in the same style - the red flower appears in six (twelve or twenty or thirty) different locations in six different paintings and each is positioned/shaped somewhat differently. The pink flower also moves to six different locations. The yellow flower is not the same distance from the white flower in any of the six paintings. The vase is different - shape - color - location. The light and shadows are at a different angle. Good sketches can simplify the process even more. They are all originals.
There are several websites that can help you get started selling your art on products like coffee mugs and tote bags, etc. There are currently problems with image theft on many of these sites. Keep in mind your art could end up supporting multiple thieves and their extended families in many different countries - and they also may compete against you online. Don't use your best and most precious art for sale on coffee mugs. Keep it simple.
Selling 1,000 coffee mugs at $15 each, with a profit of $5 each, is much more likely and easier than selling one painting for $5,000.00.
Color Speaks.
If you are painting for yourself, any color will be fine. If you are painting for the market place, you will have to consider the power of color to reach the emotions of the buyer.
Blue is cool, tranquil, dignified, soothing, peaceful, stable.
Red is warm, exuberant, angry, shouts.
Yellow is warm, cheerful and sunny.
Green is cool, harmonious and unifying.
Orange is warm, jumps up and down.
Soft orange - peach - warm, is welcoming.
Brown is warm, dependable, traditional.
Burgundy is cool, adds life to dark colors.
Grey is serious, conservative, professional, sophisticated.
Black is permanent, alone it is depressing.
White is refined and sophisticated.
Color sings.
Choose three colors next to each other on the color wheel for your dominant colors with an add (up to a 70/30 ratio) of the opposite color of one of them.
You can also expand to five colors, or more. next to each other on the color wheel. The important thing is that you use all five (or more) of them.
If you like, you can expand your color selection to include at least all the cool colors or all the warm colors.
There are other options as well - such as using red, yellow and blue as the dominant colors with minimal influence of other colors and/or blending.
Colors next to each other on the color wheel are visually appealing. This can help you coordinate your color scheme.
Color Wheels are on my "What's New" page.
http://falling-star.com/color1.html
The most pleasing color schemes.
The ones you will see most often in magazines and in furniture show rooms - are based on different shades of one dominant color (monochromatic), usually in the walls, fabrics and accessories, often with one accent color.
As mentioned above, groups of three adjoining color wheel colors are often used also.
The most peaceful colors.
If you take a drive in the country during the summer, you will see thousands of shades of green everywhere you look.
The sky consists of thousands of shades of blue.
The ocean and the seas consist of thousands of shades of blue and green.
Nature adds a little brown and grey for contrast in the trees and rocks.
And while they are not flashy, they are extremely pleasing and soothing.
A drive in country can bring your blood pressure down.
You can bring that peace to your art.
Color should not be used in blobs of just one color, but in dabs, strokes, spots, flecks, splatters and glazes of shades, mixes and variations of the dominant color and at least one accent color.
Accent colors based on a color in the opposite position on the color wheel, will bring the colors to life.
Color wheel opposites are cool, peaceful vs warm, energetic.
Color wheel opposites:
Green - Red
Blue - Orange
Violet - Yellow
The dominant color.
Art is very pleasing to look at when one color, any color, dominates the image in varying shades, tints, etc.
The dominant color is best used in various shades, by diluting its saturation or "color mixing" with other colors, such as "blue and yellow making green".
Any color can be the dominant color - with different effects, being mindful of the voice of the color.
Multiple shades of green, can be created by "color mixing" with yellow or blue or red.
They are an excellent foundation for a painting when desaturated.
Green is probably the most used color in art.
Just like in nature, it is soothing and unobtrusive in desaturated shades.
Green in various desaturated shades lowers blood pressure.
Green "color mixed" with yellow - in various amounts produces a light yellow green which is cheerful. Dark yellow green is calming.
Green "color mixed" with blue - in various amounts produces a blue green which is calming in darker shades, but very cheerful in the lighter shades.
Green - "color mixed" with red - which is its opposite color, becomes less saturated as it gradually becomes gray or brown.
Gray is a neutral, subdued and sedate.
Brown is a subdued, gentlemanly color.
The most dynamic color.
Red is the most dynamic color, which can be emphasized or diluted.
Red is more appealing to a general audience when it is a little diluted.
Hot red and bright green are opposite and exciting colors, most often seen at Christmas at full saturation emphasizing the power of red.
Red appears the most dynamic in shades with a yellow, warm base.
Red can be used more freely in shades with a cool, blue base.
Red and green are seen frequently in nature, with red being the less dominant accent color.
Red is the most attractive and appealing when used sparingly diluted by mixing with green - graying down - old roseadding white to make a pastel pinkadding black to make burgundy, maroon.
Feminine Colors.
Pastel colors are not masculine enough to decorate the male home.
Pink, pale yellow, pale blue, and lilac are traditionally feminine colors and should be used sparingly and with darker colors when decorating for a male household member or in an office.
Beige and grey, on the other hand, are gender neutral and can usually be used freely.
Neutrals are muted and subdued colors.
The saturated primary colors (red, yellow and blue) are diluted to produce neutrals. by "color mixing" with beige, grey, silver, black and the opposite color on the color wheel.
Neutrals are generally appreciated by the mature, sophisticated audience, rather than a younger age group (who prefer more saturation).
The desaturated blues are more like silver than blue.
The whites are more beige/sand than white, which is a diluted yellow.
This use of silver-blue and/or beige-sand-yellow, which are both primary colors creates a sophisticated presentation, most likely to appeal to a more mature audience.
Copyright 12-3-2016
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Irresistible Art Subjects and Colors
Fine Art Blog
Part Sixteen
What subjects should I paint? Paint something with an emotional connection to human beings.
What colors should I paint? Color families - warm colors or cool colors plus an opposite color on the artist's color wheel.
People usually have a preference for either warm or cool colors. People who love blue will almost never buy something that is predominately orange and vice versa.
This bluebird painting is mostly cool colors: soft shades of blue, lavender, violet and green plus muted warm peach and soft orange accents (warm peach/orange are the opposite of cool blue.) A person who loves red and orange would most likely find this painting to be either boring or just plain irritating.
This color combination is basically "cool" and harmonious.
Warm colors include most shades of yellow, orange and some shades of red.
Warm colors also include some shades of blue green and some shades of green.
These are simple color combinations that are difficult to mess up. Many other color combinations can be stunning, such as primaries (red, blue, yellow), pastels (pale) or darker shades.
Colors are usually the most attractive if not used at full saturation.
Flaming reds and oranges are jarring to most people.
Additional color discussion coming soon.
Pictures speak more than a thousand words.
Willingness to buy a painting is based on a positive emotional (love) connection to the image, which can result in a purchase even if the price seems high. Lacking love for the painting, they experience disinterest or revulsion. Disinterest and revulsion make price irrelevant.
Even if they love your art, people can only pay what they can afford. High prices discourage the average buyer who can purchase a calendar of twelve images for $15.00 and frames for a dollar each at the dollar store.
Art and photographs are admired on calendars, coffee mugs, fabrics and most commercial products, often at affordable prices. Much more art is purchased as decorations on coffee mugs than on canvas.
Some subjects are popular art on canvas, watercolor, etc.
What if I want to just paint dinosaurs, rusty cars and fantasy images? No emotional connection equals no sales. These subjects have limited appeal.
Emotional connections and symbolism are attached to many subjects and are more likely to result in sales of original paintings or prints.
- Family Portraits (Photos and Paintings)
- Tradition
- Roots
- Affection
- Eternal
- Togetherness
- Values
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Nurturing
- Peace
- Purity
- Safety
- Sharing
- Teamwork
- Teaching
- Togetherness
- Tenderness
- Trust
- Wisdom
- Forgiveness
- Country Scenics
- Farms
- Fields
- Crops
- Flowers
- Barns
- Roads
- Creeks
- Rivers
- Oceans
- Cows
- Roosters
- Chickens
- Abundance
- Environment
- Good Life
- Hard Work
- Honesty
- Independence
- Safety
- Sharing
- Simplicity
- Success
- Wealth
- Wisdom
- God's provision - planting seeds and harvests
- Wild Birds
- Confidence
- Cooperation
- Ecology
- Eternal
- Faith
- Freedom
- God's provision
- Independence
- Leadership
- Optimism
- Peace
- Safety
- Success
- Victory
- Winning
- Wisdom
- Domestic birds don't have as much appeal
- Geese
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Communication
- Success
- Victory
- God's provision
- Eagles (with or without the USA flag)
- Achievement
- Action
- American Dream
- Confidence
- Eternal
- Faith
- Freedom
- God's provision
- Independence
- Leadership
- Liberty
- Power
- Pride
- Safety
- Strength
- Success
- Winning
- Wisdom
- America, land of the free, home of the brave
- Wildlife
- Adaptability
- Cleverness
- Cooperation
- Ecology
- Eternal
- Faith
- God's provision
- Freedom
- Good Life
- Independence
- Mother/father's love
- Family
- Nurturing
- Peace
- Power
- Safety
- Strength
- Teaching
- Simplicity
- Antlers - extreme masculinity
- Large cats - agility, raw strength, hunters
- Elephants - brute strength, long memory
- Wildflowers, Garden Flowers, Botanicals, Fruit
- Growing in a field or along a natural wood fence.
- Elegance
- Feminine
- Purity
- Seeds
- Circle of Life
- Abundance
- Comfortable Life
- God's Grace
- Simplicity
- Cats, Dogs, Horses
- A life experience of immeasurable value
Recommendations:
Study pictures from magazines, calendars and the internet to achieve your artistic style.
Purchase a standard artist's color wheel from an art supply dealer.
Additional color studies coming soon.
Copyright 11-17-2016
**********
Irresistible Art and Star Power
Fine Art Blog
Part Fifteen
Star power - people notice you - people notice your irresistible art.
Star power - study, practice, presentation, packaging.
Star power - art business - it is about connecting with someone who "gets it" - they like the message, they like how it feels to them. Which is not necessarily the message you tried to convey.
Star power - your product with your art on it can become a best seller at stores near your home. There are many products you can print on your home computer/printer and enclose in attractive specialty plastic bags, stapled shut with your logo/sticker design or specially designed business card on it. You can also have novelty items made up decorated with your art and offer them for sale as a coordinated set with an attractive price. Packaging and presentation, with a stunning design, maybe in a basket, can raise your prices substantially. The subject matter and the prices should be compatible with the lifestyle of the area.
You can have your art on
Gifts
Collectibles
Decor
Design
Greeting Cards
Stationery
Journals
Book Covers
Fabric
Housewares
Plates
Mugs
Paper Products
Bath Towels
Shower Curtains
Bed Comforters
Garden Flags
Watering Cans
Flower Pots
Birdhouses
Feeders
Mailboxes
Door Mats
There are logistics that have to be worked out:
Publishing
Production
Packaging
Distribution
The people who know what resonates with the local retail businesses are the people who are involved in local sales of products. You can ask store managers what they would like to see from you based on what has been selling for them.
In a company, you want to talk to the art, marketing and sales people. You can learn the most from them by working in their company. You can earn a good income and increase your business skills. Talk to people who have been there the longest, they will be more seasoned to the nuances of successful sales for their region.
How do you see people? You have to be willing to learn, ask questions, take advice, and watch successful people who have learned how to make other people feel at home, valued, respected and important. The more successful they are, the more skill they have at keeping their opinions to themselves and just listening.
While you are perfecting your art style, developing your technique and finding your niche - it is usually true that you will not be earning much money from your art. Almost nobody starts an art career being able to support themselves. They may never support themselves on just their art but still be a successful artist and a successful business person. It takes a lot of time and hard work to sell a lot of art and that may be prohibitive, especially if creating art is more important than selling art.
You have to be honest with yourself. Do you actually want to do the work required to sell your art? Or do you just want to create your art?
There just isn't enough demand in the marketplace for framed paintings compared to the number of people creating art. You have to consider creating your own products with your art on them, either licensing your art or by managing the manufacturing of your products with an independent company. Every product with some type of pattern or drawing on it was created using someone's art. That includes clothes, furniture, curtains, decor, etc.
Our economy runs on design. Every product had a designer. And most successful products go through a series of design changes and consumer testing before they become viable in the marketplace.
You can do consumer testing using your time, your money, your legwork, your advertising and marketing - and your own products sitting unsold in your parents' garage.
Or you can learn from watching the process being perfected on someone else's money. But people don't share "trade secrets." You have to go to work and watch them. The best training in the world is simply watching an old pro.
You can take advantage of the need all employers have to train their employees to become part of the profit making machine of the company. You can learn the art business the easy way - sales, art, design, decor, office politics, bookkeeping, taxes, etc. by having someone teach you about "business." There is a shortcut called on-the-job training, and there is a hard way called the school of hard knocks.
Not everything sells well in all communities. Paintings of polar bears, cute baby seals and frozen tundra are not sold in Hawaii.
You need to connect with your niche. Even if you don't know the people around you, the neighborhood you live in has a culture that values its symbols. Some symbols are local: Times Square and the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Golden Gate Bridge in California and the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Some symbols are admired, but less obvious. Some communities have traditions, like hunting dogs and horses for people who may not actually even hunt themselves. They may have childhood memories and love anything to do with hunting dogs and horses.
Local newspapers favor the news that revolves around family life, local tourist attractions and the values of the local community.
People who live or grew up in rural areas with a country setting, with long winding roads, few houses, some working farms and/or open fields and woodlands will appreciate art products that depict those settings. These themes are often popular with the general population as well.
People who live near the ocean or a river often like art that highlights the coast, the sand, the waves, sailboats, seashells, underwater seascapes with porpoises, turtles, local fish, fancy fish, marine life, etc. These are popular in the general population.
Horses in both wild and domestic settings, with or without people, and/or dogs and cats, hunting dogs, foals, barns, pastures, are popular in the general population.
Roosters, with hens and chicks, barns, and rural roads are popular in farm areas.
Cityscapes of local landmarks and tourist attractions, both natural and man made are popular.
Star power - is not all things to all people.
Your design should appeal to a fairly specific group or niche in the population.
Job experience relating to that niche will facilitate your connecting to them.
Automobiles are even more perfectly designed to sell themselves. Even on the lower price points, the automobile calls to the human heart. "You will look more beautiful here in this shiny, perfectly proportioned, perfect color and the right price that fits your budget, the credit is approved... take it home with you. And if you don't buy it you will look ugly in that old thing you are currently driving." Sold.
The artist's job is to pre-sell the product. Your portfolio has to have "selling power," or you will be crushed by the competition.
If you don't get a job in the arts (or any specialty), more often than not, God has intervened to keep you from going over a cliff. Later you will learn how God was working for your good.
Art is one of the most sought after careers.
There are more artists than there are people who want to buy art. And even fewer people who can afford to buy more than a paper print.
There are more people who want to learn to paint art, than who want to buy a framed painting, and this is a group you can reach.
It is harder to be successful selling paintings than it is becoming an award winning country music star or making movies. People buy new records and watch movies. People don't usually buy art unless they are moving into a new home. The odds are against you making a living wage, big money or a lucrative career selling your framed art paintings.
However, there are other options. There are many art related job opportunities that actually will provide a good income, a retirement, and income from your maturing art style.
If you think about the big picture - art and photography are everywhere and every business needs them to sell products.
Supply of interested persons for art/photography related jobs exceeds demand and reduces prices/income. The inexperienced are usually eliminated first.
Because inexperience shows. The more you paint, the better your work will be. If you paint 20 paintings of a tree, by the time you get to the last two or three, you will see a shocking difference, even more if you actually spend time studying how to paint trees.
You owe it to yourself to do research, study and practice.
Supply and demand, experience versus inexperience equals low wages.
Every company and every job gives some kind of training. Some training occurs just by being in a business environment, by exposure to other people and situations. Career twists and turns will create opportunities and experience in business practices, off seasons, taxes, decorating, computer arts, software and design - things you would not expect.
Time, study and practice brings maturity to art. Study art and business. It shows.
Used books can be bought for pennies on the dollar. And there is much to learn on the internet.
Create more art. Repetition will almost always result in the exquisite beauty of "accidents" - and the gold of serendipity.
Many people make money in art because they "learned the art business," not because they create the best art. There is no way to explain some "art" that sells, other than the artist shook a lot of hands and someone was attracted to that art style, most likely because it was original.
An alliance with a gallery owner has made some artists and gallery owners quite wealthy. However, both the gallery and the artist may have short careers. It's difficult to create similar, but different pieces in quantity. And "trends" can wipe out all financial gains.
Do the work, paint, design, and innovate. Look for connections and opportunities.
Artistically inclined individuals are needed everywhere.
Become a business person. Go further. Earn more.
Being employed, even if only part-time, provides an income that allows you the liberty to make art you love rather than just trying to make something that will sell and pray for a sale.
Employment can get you out of the house and can open all kinds of doors. Experience is highly valued and very useful when it includes actual business skills.
Business skills:
You will have to figure out how to solve problems that are unsolvable.
You will have to work with or for people who are totally unreasonable.
You will have to learn to not tell people exactly what you really think.
You will have to learn not to curse when the pressure is on.
You will have to learn to negotiate big and small issues every day.
You will have to learn to be silent when people disrespect you.
And then you will have to make everyone feel respected and valued.
You will have to learn to do your job even when you want to quit.
You will have to learn to let go of the negatives and focus on the positives.
And the things that give you peace will become your consolation and joy.
Whatever gives you peace will become your art.
And people will want what gives them peace.
Star power - people will notice you. Look for things you can do that will help solve a problem. Choose a project. Everyone notices you when you solve a really annoying problem.
Star power - many churches would appreciate a donation of religious art to hang on their walls, And the work of God has great rewards. A lot of people do attend church, even if only at Christmas. Many of them are small business owners in need of services you could provide either full time or for special projects. It can be good for networking.
Star power - many restaurants need some beautiful art for their walls and would love for you to match and compliment their decor so that their business setting is upgraded. Many of their customers may be small business owners who would have an interest in your art. They may want to show your art for a percentage of any sales you make. Keep in mind, your art has to be a "fit" for the decor, locale and price points of the store. Your prices should be within a comfortable reach of their clientele.
You can offer your art prints plus greeting cards made from your art prints attractively packaged as a set, but probably not as just a framed print. Many stores will buy them up front from you and sell them. Leaving things on consignment is risky, it ties up your money and should be covered by a contract. You can approach any and all places of business to inquire about a collaboration for sales. The subject matter is the deciding factor in making sales. You may have to test several subjects to find what works. Most businesses will not buy anything vulgar. Call ahead for an appointment and take some items that you can sell and leave at the store. Offer additional small add-on like stickers, a coffee cup, etc, for upselling. A $10 product can be upgraded to a $20 or $30 product by upselling.
You can't sell identical greeting cards in two businesses who are closely located, but you can sell them in any business that wants them.
Very often the best art and/or greeting cards for local shops is represented by the interests of the nearby community
national parks
geographical landmarks
oceans
rivers
bridges
skylines
shopping centers
street scene (day and night)
tourist spot
sidewalk cafe
boats
sports
horses
hunting
Most communities have adult education programs and local clubs who would consider having you teach specific art projects that result in a finished product. You know more about art than most people. You could also make great contacts. Many people will buy from you if they are unhappy with their own painting.
Start a coupon club and bring your art to the meetings = offer art classes to the club members.
Offer free art prints, greeting cards, stickers and/or a coffee mug to people who have a painting night at their home with their friends who want to attend a painting workshop and paint their own painting.
Samples that you leave behind may disappear, so don't invest heavily in time, materials and frames that you leave on consignment or as decor items. Losses are common in the business environment. You should not expect the store to compensate you unless you have a contract stating reimbursement.
Your contact information should be on the back of all of your products.
There is a learning curve in all skills and all careers. At best, it will probably be many years before you become established and make a good living from your art. You cannot assume that you are going to be one of the few artists who really become financially stable from their art.
It is true in every business, the higher your price point - the fewer items you will sell because there are fewer people willing and/or able to pay more.
The higher your price point, the more unique the design has to be. Look for ways to sell in the medium price market without investing in large quantities of inventory. Create work inventory slowly based on paid orders.
It is wise to always be looking for opportunities to broaden your experience and bring in an income. But nothing is better than volunteer work, because it will bring you into contact with people you could never meet otherwise.
Co-workers, teachers, neighbors, friends and family will often be a good source of information regarding possible employment - which could be of value in assisting you with your career goals.
Positions can open up where you didn't even know there was an "artistic" opportunity and your art could be recognized and rewarded.
You don't have to try to sell your work. You can talk about being an artist and people will ask to see it.
The more people you meet, the more likely you will meet people who love your work.
Copyright 11-6-2016
**********
Irresistible Art - Design, for Successful Business
Fine Art Blog
Part Fourteen
Art can be a wonderful hobby.
Art can be a business - maybe even a successful business.
Business requires a plan and a strategy.
Do you really want to be in business or do you just like to paint what you like?
Painting on canvas or paper is not the only way to sell art.
Do you know what it takes to be a freelance designer, an artist earning a living?
Aspiring to show your art in an art gallery is a worthy goal, and it is the goal of thousands of other artists who are still standing in line.
Many artists use a sketchbook for doodling, improving drawing skills, painting inspiration, practicing brush, pen, pencil, and mixed media techniques.
Up your game, increase your skills, try something new.
Serendipity is where the gold is, as explained by the dictionary:
- "the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way"
- "finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for"
- "making desirable discoveries by accident"
Learning new skills is part of the job of being a successful artist.
It is also highly recommended that you learn to use simple computer software programs to expand your capabilities. It will allow you to use your art across more platforms.
With the right products, you can approach every retail store, many small/large businesses and sell online. You can partner with someone else in the manufacturing industry by licensing your art. You can put your art and/or message on coffee mugs, large cups, T-shirts, greeting cards and much more.
Designers create a need (want) or fill a need.
Steve Jobs taught us something about design. The more original it is, the better, especially if it is something nobody else ever imagined. If your art or product is "delightful," people will buy it when they don't need it and/or when it is the most expensive version in its field.
It's not just about creating art that you enjoy.
Business principles - people won't buy a design, a product, or your art unless it adds one of these to their lives:
- speaks to them in an understandable way
- illustrates a message
- improves their life
- reduces fear
- safety
- security
- combines functions, condenses, reduces size
- works faster
- simpler, easier to use
- organizes
- solves a problem
- fills an emotional need
- connects, touches an emotion
- improves their mood
- gives them a voice
- decorative element
- matches decor colors
- appealing color
- sets a stage
- builds and represents the customer's self image
- aesthetically satisfying
- sheer beauty
- stylish
- whimsical
- incredibly cute
- relieves a private pain
- maintains health
- necessary to live
Who is the audience? What is your vision? What is your message?
Is something missing... wrong color... not enough contrast... uncertain message... just not delightful?
Components and stages of design:
- strategy
- empathy
- insight
- analysis of most important message
- define the goal
- theory
- rules
- concept
- research
- curiosity
- creativity
- multiple solutions
- innovation
- strategy
- prototype
- implementation
- competition
- desire
- functionality
- usefulness
- mood
- delightful
- value
- image
- shape
- brand
- communicate with the user
- engagement
- beliefs
- values
- behavior patterns
- culture
- flexibility
- what feeling is conveyed
- feedback
- evolution
- trend
Creating something for a business that fills a need or creates a need:
- get all the facts about the project - problem - goal - illustration
- investigate, ask questions, work from a list
- size of the location of use
- message
- goal (subject to change), test model, emotion, influence, money, traffic, new customers
- size of finished project
- identify the colors that are currently in use
- identify the colors that will convey the message
- identify materials to be used
- articulate the benefits and rewards of the project
- articulate color vocabulary (yellow is happy, etc)
- write out the known parameters plus new proposals including date of delivery
- explain revision policy
- explain early termination policy (both sides)
- write out the details of the final project
- cost with 2 drafts
- write out the cost with additional revisions
- write out deposit amount, payment schedule
- obtain signatures of decision makers
- test the waters
- give away free samples
- drafts, produce multiple art drafts quickly, repeat
- pivot, regroup as needed (as new insights are provided by the client about what they don't like)
- keep spinning the best face on the project
- learn and use materials and equipment at the expert level
- avoid experimenting with new materials and tools under a deadline
- test for responses, appeal, acceptance
- persistence
- don't give up
- present the finished product
Your art has to say something to someone.
It could just be the realization of shared pain. But usually, it is a positive, uplifting, encouraging message that connects.
And to be financially successful, it has to speak eloquently to a lot of people.
It's not about painting what you like to paint. It's about you providing me with something I like.
Copyright 10-22-2016
*****
What Makes Your Art Irresistible and Profitable?
Fine Art Blog
Part Thirteen
If everyone makes the same kind of art, the only differentiating factor is cost. That means in most cases the cheapest art will win. Why pay more if all other things are equal? Human nature is "self preservation" (don't pay more than necessary). That drives down the market. Add to this scenario - hundreds of artists making beautiful art who are not making a living wage and will work almost for free. Extreme competition makes a dry desert with no rain in sight.
It would be illogical for me to increase your wealth and sabotage my own. Don't think I will gladly pay more for your art because you are a nice person. You need income from another source in order to negotiate good prices for your art. I discussed in my last post the wisdom and opportunities for getting paid, while you learn the art biz from other artists.
There are individuals who self-sabotage by buying things they can't afford, such as a $5,000.00 purse and $2,000.00 shoes with 6-inch heels... and sky high credit card debt which will eventually double the actual cost of these items.
Of course, there are incredibly wealthy individuals who buy higher priced items to have one of a kind status symbols with the expectation the items will increase in value. There are paintings selling for millions of dollars at auctions.
It's important to note that the artist does not get any of those millions. It goes to art collectors and auction houses. The art collectors don't necessarily even like the art, but have chosen art for investment purposes. The artists are deceased. Their work commands high prices because it was ahead of its time, it was off the beaten path.
High priced art sells for millions of dollars because it is one or more of the following:
- unique
- original
- emotional (joy, love, sadness, anger)
- color rich - expressive
- incredibly bizarre
- daring
- unsettling
- mask
- warrior
- appealing subject
- unusual materials
- novel or stunning brushwork
- high level of craftsmanship
- deceased artists cannot make any more art
While you are alive, your work can command thousands of dollars.
Your art has to be unique to break out of the bargain price range.
Some ways to become more creative:
- create a reference library for ideas/inspiration (not copying)
- research the current styles
- research outdated styles
- read books, articles
- watch Youtube videos
- study more
- spend time with nature
- watch the light
- explore the beauty and variety of plants, flowers, seeds, streams, etc
- study the composition and shapes of plants, fruits, vegetables, animals and humans
- create miniature still lifes of fruits, etc. and assorted attractive containers
- paint them in different lighting situations, with varying light and shadow colors
- take photographs of each of the above during different times of day
- draw and paint anything that appeals to you
Draw and paint from your photographs
Draw and paint the subjects:
- over and over and over
- with exaggerated proportions
- not the same way twice
- color variations
- unnatural colors
- keep notes on what colors and materials were used - for future development
- use inexpensive materials for testing and practice
- don't throw anything away
- some things will grow on you over time
- what seems odd now could be tweaked into a big money maker later
- experimentation creates new styles
Teach a painting party at a friend's house
- everyone creates a painting based on one of your paintings
- sell paper, paints, brushes at a small profit to anyone who wants them
- teach a class online
- make a Youtube video
- post a Do It Yourself series of photos online
- build up gradually to establish a teaching reputation with an income
Serendipity is your best friend
- work from memory (view at least a dozen images before you start)
- the gaps in your memory will contribute to the novelty of your work
- the lack of perfect control of your brushes will create something surprising
- use different size and shape brushes
- don't try to make a perfect reproduction of your subject
- paint something that is unrecognizable - but interesting
- irregularity and imperfection are attractive
- try different colors together
- try using color as the subject of the painting
- tweak your art after you finish working from memory
- consider and paint alternative compositions for follow-up paintings
- your art will be original
- you will have a new confidence in the value of your work
People will notice you.
Copyright 10/12/2016
*******
Get Paid to Learn to Make Great Art and Market ItFine Art Blog
Part Twelve
All art consists of simple subjects - great art consists of the original use of color, light and shadows.
Get paid by the experts to learn the ropes - by the people already in the art business, as long as you don't give them the impression you are a competitor for their jobs.
You are not abandoning an art career if you are smart enough to gain employment that will provide you with on the job training you can't get in art school.
There are many ways to get your art seen and get feedback. Not all opportunities will produce sales because most people are not in the market for art and/or they have their own personal preferences for what they want to see on their walls.
One of the best ways to learn to make irresistible art is to work as an entry level employee for a company that will utilize your existing skills, teach you new skills or at least let you talk to people in the art department to pick up insider tips from the older employees.
It may take a little more time to get your game up to pro level. You have to find the right song for you. You have to make it your own.
Look at Nolan, a competitor on "The Voice". All four judges turned their chairs for him this season and wanted him on their teams. It was revealed that Adam had told him after not being selected in the last season to try again with another song at a later date.
Now here you are today, and it may be that all you need is a new song.
Almost all companies have either an art department, a marketing department that pays for art from an outsider, or one employee who wears multiple hats. You can learn the business, get paid and probably get training that will take you to a higher level either in that company or one like it, or to your own freelancing business - all of which can provide you with a good living and retirement.
Most people will share in a private setting many things they won't share with strangers.
Here are suggestions for fields that use art and marketing skills.
Advertising
Advocate for funding - public, private
Animator - Video, Special Effects, Digital
Architect
Antique Dealer
Artist's Agent
Art Appraiser
Art Auctioneer
Art - encourage happiness, peace
Art Critic
Art Dealer
Art Director
Art Historian
Art Licensing
Art memorializes families in permanent forms
Art - reveals things not usually seen or noticed
Art - ridicules the powerful
Art tells stories
Blog about art
Books - Illustration, Cartoonists, Page layout
Brand designer and illustrator
Calendar artist
Calligrapher
Cars - Interior and Exterior Design
Christmas ornament designer
Cityscape artist
Clip art designer
Commercial director, stylist, fonts (tv ads)
Computer generation
Court sketch artist
Costume designer (movies, plays, etc)
Craft Artists
Dance
Date planner book artist
Designer - Appliances
Desktop Publisher
Doodling
Dressmaker
Embroidery
Engraver
Exhibitions - Sets. Posters
Fabric Designer - Clothes, Rugs, Quilts, Furniture
Fashion Designer - Clothes, Accessories, Purses, Shoes
Fine Art Painter
Floral Design (live or silk flowers) - Weddings, Funerals, Decor
Floral Patterns - clothing, furniture, wallpaper, etc.
Font designer
Food - Cakes, Recipes
Freelance Artist
Glam squad (special makeup)
Game Designer
Gifts
Glass blower
Graphic Designer
Greeting Card artist
Hair styling
Halloween costume designer
Hobbies
Home Decor - Interior Decorator, Home, Office
House painting
Illustrator
Illustrate past events
Industrial Designer
Jewelry
Kitchen tile art
Knitting, Crocheting
Landscaper
Landscape painter
Lettering for photography, sales, display, ads
Licensing of art for merchandise, publishing, etc
Lighting assistant for a photographer
Lithographer
Logo Artist
Magazines, Newspapers - Page layout
Makeup
Marketing art -
Medical art sketches
Merchandising, Marketing, Advertising
Movie - Sets, Advertisements, Costumes, Posters, Makeup, Hair
Multimedia Artists and Animators
Mural artist
Musician Assistants - Sets, Clothes, Hair, Makeup
Occupational therapist
Office meeting presentation slides
NASA space art - technology and imagination
Painter - watercolor, acrylics, oils
Painting Restorers
Pattern maker designer/illustrator
Penmanship as art
Personal Stylist
Phone cases
Photo journalist
Photographers - Weddings, Portraits, Pets, Advertising, Stock Sales, Online Gallery
Picture Framer
Paper Designer - Posters, Calendars, Packaging, Stationery, Wallpaper, Wrapping Paper
Portrait artist
Postage stamp artist
Pottery Maker
Presentation slides - sales
Product Designer
Rug weaving
Science illustrator
Sculptor
Seascape artist
Self-publishing
Sell art to collectors
Sell art at a gallery
Sell art online
Seamstress
Sign Painter - Images, Fonts
Silversmith
Sketch Artists - Police
Software designers for artists, photographers
Special effects
Store Display
Stained glass art
Surface Pattern Designer - Clothes, Furniture, Wallpaper
Teacher - School (children), Adult Ed
Textile Designer
Tatoo Artist
T-shirt designer
Topiary designer/trimmer
Toy Designer - Dolls and accessories, Action figures, Toy cars, Sports, etc
Tie Dyeing
Utensils - Plates, Bowls, Glassware, Cooking
Video game designer
Videographer
Wall Art
Website design
Website personal gallery
Wood Carving, Burning
Writer
Marketing your art.
Research and contact blogs to find people who would feature a giveaway from you - items you can produce yourself or purchase through a account at print on demand site, such as prints, sets of your greeting cards, coffee mugs, etc.
Take photographs in the late afternoon or early morning of a nature scene or a still life of a bowl of fruit when you will have attractive shadows so you will have some reference photos to show with your paintingsAll art consists of simple subjects - great art consists of the original use of color, light and shadows.
Paint from your reference photos and take a dozen pictures of your work in progress to accompany an article on your painting technique.
Submit your reference photo, pictures of your work in progress and your article on technique to digital magazines, blogs, etc.
You might want to include a giveaway offer of some kind for a print of the subject painting or a more detailed article of how you completed your painting.People want to learn to paint and you know more about it than the average person. Taking the time to create a teaching model will actually improve your art.
It's easier to create your own art than to copy someone else's and you will own the work plus all the proceeds from your marketing efforts. It's not worth it to use someone else's work hoping forever you don't get too successful and get caught.
Create a unique series of new and original artwork.
Create a series of "call to action" for special, seasonal promotions.
Create shots of work in progress that illustrate simple and attractive educational techniques.
Create upselling strategies to increase sales - start with a loss leader - inexpensive art -graduating upwards in price to more expensive art, then add bonus freebies or special low priced items available with the purchase of art - such as a free set of your greeting cards, prints, coffee mug, etc.
Create videos or slides of you creating art, which include instructions of something simple.
Post some samples of your work online and any places that will display your art, such as libraries, restaurants, stores, etc.
Research strategies for online and offline promotion - giveaways, contests, etc.
Giveaway tip - don't provide frames for prints, it is unlikely the winner will want the frame you chose, and they will want you to pay for a replacement frame and/or print.
Copyright 9/30/2016
*******
Irresistible Art equals Good Pay
Fine Art Blog
Part Eleven.
As with most things, the true value of art is in the "eye of the beholder".
One person will pay a million dollars for a painting. His next door neighbor will not pay one dollar for it.
We often see art selling for high prices that seems to be lacking in skill and artistry, but people think it is "brilliant." It could even be "ugly." The artist may have been discouraged by his/her previous efforts to create beautiful, traditional styled art and decided to make something "different and ugly." Doing something you have never done before may open doors for you also.
Why? Mostly because it is "original,"
Several things are factors in the "eye of the beholder" that create the "perceived value" of art.
The perceived value of art can be one or a combination of:
Clever design - complexity of elements
Clever design - simplification of lines or shapes
Clever design - symbolic
Clever color - unexpected choices
Clever color - pleasing color - harmonious
Clever color - traditional colors - color chart choices
Clever color - dynamic color - extremely discordant
First to market - a style not known to be for sale anywhere else
Originality - a style that is ahead of its time
Uniqueness - a surprising, clever variation of a style
Revelation - revealing something in the subject not seen before
Scarcity - limited availability
Motion - illusion of movement
Details - photographic realism
Studying art is a good way to develop technique. To create a new style of art - that is your own - look at other forms of art, listen to music, watch movies and study photography. Study nature, culture, dance, humanity, wildlife, animal life, farming, picturesque locations, beautiful light, unusual geography and architecture.
Admire the work of others and then see what you can do that is original, unique and that will command the respect of the marketplace. You can create a market for your original work, but you can almost never create a market for work that runs with the crowd - the crowd will soon be changing direction anyway. Monet's paintings are enchanting, but he got there first and it's too late to just copy him.
Copying someone else's work means you are always following and always running behind - you also can find yourself as the star of a social media backlash or even more serious legal trouble. The copyright laws are currently be revised to provide more protection for artists.
Consider this - great art is sold every day for pennies because the artists have no other income. You should also consider that you probably have many skills that could provide you with a steady income and that will allow you to create original art and sell it at a professional level price.
Salaried work enhances your interpersonal skills and provides valuable experience. It can provide you with contacts that will love and support your art career. There are many entry level jobs in the "arts" where you can learn the business from the inside...selling art is a business.
And you might be surprised, there are often many rewards in other forms of work, which give you personal satisfaction beyond just making money, as well as a current and retirement income that will enable to create the art you love.
You should learn to create original art every day and you should learn the business of selling art - both are essential to creating and marketing irresistible art.
Copyright 9/21/2016
********
Creating Irresistible Art
Fine Art Blog
Part Ten
Art - It's not just pretty, but we love it when it's beautiful.
It can be incredibly ugly
Or highly stylized
What does "successful, commercial, income-producing art" have that my art does not have? Probably the acquired skills of mastering color, composition, originality and an emotional message.
Emotion.
Emotion in art speaks to emotion in the viewer.
Emotion is expressed through subject matter and color.
Emotions are where we really live.
Emotion in art can be joyful or painful.
Career tip - It's what they want to buy, not what you want to paint (unless you are very fortunate and you found your niche early).
Buyer - wants/needs/buys
Love the subject.
Love the colors.
Love the originality.
Love the message.
Love how the colors make you feel.
It's highly advised for aspiring artists in all fields to get work experience and reliable income which will provide retirement income, while they are perfecting their artistic skills. Nobody starts out in the arts with income sufficient to live on. It takes time, study and practice to make "great art." However, many people sell "art" because they spend long hours dedicated to the business of "selling and marketing." It's a business that requires long hours. You're not giving up on your art by taking a job that will pay your bills. You are being responsible.
Pet portraits are very popular - dogs, cats and horses - rich in emotion
Pet portraits or cute animal drawings
Nobody wants paintings of skunks, porcupines, spiders
Study photographs and drawings of popular animals
Study a book on drawing dogs, cats and horses - anatomy, eyes, fur, hair
Practice realistic drawings and stylized images
Practice a variety of shapes and poses
Practice a variety of facial expressions
Should have a recognizable form
Stylized images don't require accurate proportions, can be exaggerated
It's what the customer wants, not what you like
Extremely good fortune for you if you like to paint what they want to buy
Landscapes
Local
Rural
Woodland
Rivers
Lakes
Nature
Personally significant
Cityscapes
Other countries
Illustration - publication - merchandising
Animals - all kinds
Nature
Food
Coffee
Wine
Lifestyle
Kitchens
Restaurants
Cityscapes
Landscapes
Figures
Products
Accessories
Clothes
Don't require accurate proportions, can be exaggerated
Comic book and mythical illustration - limited commercial opportunities
Colors - Happy
Light and medium shades
Yellow
Orange
Red
Pink
Colors - Peaceful
Light and medium shades
Blue
Lavender
Pink
Green
Gray
Brown
Colors = Sad
Dark
Blue
Purple
Green
Gray
Brown
Black
Copyright 9/3/2016
******
Part Nine
Find your style.
Art that is irresistible must be EXTREME in one or more of these things:
1. Unique
2. Beautiful
3. Cute
4. Ugly
5. Colorful
6. Nature
7. Geographically interesting
8. Personal (to the owner of the art)
Start with being "unique".
Forget about creating "beautiful art" for now.
Use inexpensive materials so you won't feel any pressure "to perform".
Expect it to be rough, even ridiculous.
Draw a cat. Paint a cat. Repeat. If it doesn't look like a cat, repeat, repeat, repeat.
Draw a horse. Paint a horse. Repeat. If it doesn't look like a horse, repeat. repeat, repeat.
Draw a tree. Paint a tree. Repeat. If it doesn't look like tree, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat.
Draw a person. Paint a person. Repeat. If it doesn't look like a person, repeat, repeat, repeat.
Draw a picture that includes any two of the above. Repeat, add additional elements, Repeat.
Paint a picture that includes any two of the above. Repeat, add additional elements, Repeat.
These are popular art subjects, So popular, you can make a "career" in art with them.
Your style will emerge in the repeats.
There is something that makes you comfortable so you will keep doing it.
Once you feel comfortable with a style, you can start creating designs.
Look at the rest of the world of art.
You can find inspiration - to make your own unique art - ideas from multiple sources.
You will eventually be ridiculed or sued if you blatantly copy others.
Your art will not be respected if it is not unique.
And it can cost you a lot of money.
Copyright August 16, 2016
******
Irresistible Art
Fine Art Blog
Part Eight
Irresistible art and paintings.
What do you love?
What art subjects do you love?
What subjects do you paint?
What subjects sell?
Usually not subjects that appeal to you.
Is life fair?
No.
Painting what you love usually will not make you rich, and maybe never bring any income.
Rarely does an amateur become a professional on the basis of their first dozen interests in any field.
A common complaint among successful artists is that they keep painting the same subjects over and over.
The same is true among successful professionals in all fields is that they keep doing the same thing over and over and over - from boredom to burnout.
Art may be your first love - but that doesn't make it "commercial,"
A commercial product is something that fills a need of some kind: such as practical, utilitarian, healthy, cathartic, emotional, relaxation, beautiful, inspirational or spiritual.
Most of us create art that fills one or more of these needs in our own lives, we are fulfilled by our own work.
First we have to realize that what is fulfilling to us is unique to us and may never be fulfilling to anyone else.
Then we have to consider our options.
You may have many marketable skills that should be developed in an alternate or parallel universe which include your creativity and artistry that will provide you a good income and valuable experience for a fine art career such as design, illustration, business, marketing, advertising, etc.
You have time to learn the fine points of color, contrast, composition, light, shadow and the music of art.
Many people find their marketable masterpiece skills in their golden years when they are free to create art they love and that is appealing to others.
Retirement is often the perfect time to fulfill your dreams.
Your success as an artist is not dependent on making money,
Making art for money is very hard work.
"Art" styles go in and out of fashion.
You can be on top in the arts today and an outsider tomorrow.
Most other professions actually reward experience with an increase in income and respect.
How do some people create art that people love?
More to come.
Copyright August 9, 2016
******
Fine Art Blog
How do you make irresistible art and paintings?
Part Seven
Color
Shape
Lines
Curves
Light
Some people create art and people love it.
I'm going to share the secrets.
Copyright July 22, 2016
***
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor 2:9
Not only have we not seen what He has prepared for us in heaven, but here also. We look at what we have and don't have, what has been done and not done by us and to us, and we can miss everything He has for us.
******
Fine Art Blog
Create Your Art Song and Music
Exquisite Light and Colors
May 28, 2016
Part Six
Art - Design - Color - Write Your Song
The quality and color of light creates the music... all about the light - the exquisite colors of light.
It is the "surrounding atmosphere which gives subjects their true (color) value." Claude Monet speaking about color.
This painting of a bluebird is mostly cool colors, cool light - blue, lavender and green
1. is a variety of blue or near blue shades
2. side by side on the standard color wheel
3. It also consists of a few warm accents of peach and yellow
4. which are opposites of blue and lavender
5, soft peach color on the bluebird and a few flowers (opposite color of blue)
Blue and lavender are cool, peaceful colors, a peaceful mood is created. The flowers and the bluebird are peaceful subjects which also contribute to a peaceful image.
Light can also be warm and peaceful - using low key, pastel, soft, muted colors - peach, pink, rose in combination with subjects that are peaceful.
Landscapes - fields, steams, florals and gentle animals are peaceful and popular subjects.
Light is warm at sunrise and sunset
1. with tinges of yellow, gold, orange and red
2. casts an golden or orange light on everything
3. shadows - dark gray, dark brown, unsaturated color, dull
4. shadows darker version of its original color, colored by the warm color of the light
5. warm light - red, orange, peach, yellow light
6. sunset light - yellow, gold, peach, orange, pink, rose, and red-purple
Light can be cool colors - in the shade
1. average daylight color - neutral
2. shadows - dark gray, dark blue
3. shadows - darker version of its original color, colored by the cool, neutral light
4. blue, lavender in the shade from the blue sky
5. greenish tinges from foliage
6. cloudy - bluish light, misty blue light (pastel, diffused, lacking in detail)
7. blue violet, twilight, approaching darkness
8. gray, indoors, indirect light
9. unsaturated color
Learn color wheel opposites for primary colors
1. design
2. composition
3. balance
4. contrast
5. psychological effect of color.
Using a variety of color shades and tones - light to dark - of opposites creates a composition of warm and cool colors, shadows and highlights, enhances the lifelike quality of the colors and the subject, making them sing.
Shadow color mixing - mixing opposite colors on your palette creates desaturated colors, either gray or brown, suitable for shadows. Keep in mind that shadows are darker than the area around them, which may need another color to darken your shadow color mix, such as a dark blue, dark brown or violet, if you don't have any black.
PRIMARY Colors - using at least one primary color in various shades and tones - light to dark - are a good start to a strong painting.
Primary Blue
Primary Red
Primary Yellow
1. strong, saturated colors
2. varied tones, light to dark
3. pastels
4. deep jewel tones
5. color mixing can blend each primary into a warmer or cooler shade
PRIMARY Color
Opposites - Color wheel
1. Blue opposite Orange
2. Yellow opposite Violet
3. Red opposite Green
Blue primary, opposite orange
(1.) blue mixed with red becomes warm - purple
(2.) blue mixed with yellow becomes warm - turquoise
(3.) blue mixed with violet is cool
(4.) blue primary, sky blue, navy blue, royal blue (cool blue)
Orange secondary color, opposite blue
(1.) orange (warm), red and yellow mixing
***
Yellow primary, opposite violet
(1.) yellow, lemon (warm)
(2.) yellow mixed with green (cools the yellow)
Violet secondary color, opposite yellow
(1.) Violet (cool), blue and red mixing
***
Red primary, opposite green
(1) red primary, pink, maroon, rose (warm or cool - mix blue or yellow)
Green secondary color, opposite red
(1)green (warm or cool - depending on mix) blue and yellow mixing
Copyright May 28, 2016
***
Exquisite Colors of Light - May 4, 2016
All about the light - the exquisite colors of light.
Part Five.
The artist uses colors, highlights and shadows to recreate and capture the beauty of exquisite light, to bring life and song to art.
This painting of a bluebird is mostly cool colors - blue, lavender and green.
It also consists of a few warm accents of peach and yellow, which are opposites of blue and lavender on the standard color wheel.
It is a variety of blue or near blue shades (lavender, violet, green), found side by side on the standard color wheel.
Cool - blues, lavenders, greens and pastel colors create peaceful musical notes.
Warm sunset light is a mix of yellow, gold, peach, orange, red-orange, pink, rose, and red-purple.
Warm light and colors that are usually only seen at sunrise and sunset are "active and stimulating."
Warm exquisite light paints colors on the land due to
1. the position of the sun in the sky, which is on the horizon at sunrise and sunset
2. the position of clouds reflecting the warm light
3. dust in the air, allowing only golden or reddish light through the atmosphere.
Light can be
1. Warm, yellow, orange, red - sunrise, sunset
2. Cool, cloudy, blue
3. Cool, blue violet, midnight blue
4. Cool, misty (pastel, diffused, lacking in detail)
5. Cool, gray (light, medium, dark)
6. harsh, strong contrast between light and dark shadow, creating sharp details
7. soft, muted
Shadows at sunset and sunrise
1. are a desaturated greyish brown version of their original color
2. are very long and interesting because the sun is on the horizon.
3. delightful design elements
4. very elegant
5. an artistic surprise
6. skillfully used as the contrasting dark colors that give shape to highlights
7. shadows are the result of the absence of reflected light (brain twister) in shades of grey.
Create very interesting music:
1. enhance the lifelike quality of the subject
2. highlights and soft shadows
3. light and medium colors
4. non-clashing color opposites (color wheel)
5. combination of warm and cool colors
6. more universal appeal
7. more interesting to viewers.
Copyright May 4, 2016
***
Your Song - April 19, 2016
Part Four.
It's all about the light.
To hear the song and see the life in a painting, you need shadows, highlights and color.
There are subtle differences of light. It can be warm, cool, harsh, soft, misty, or gray.
At sunset and sunrise the shadows are soft, muted, warm and at their greatest length creating a design of their own.
At midday shadows become very small, darker and harsher as the sun moves to its high point as the light tends to be colorless and extremely bright.
At midday the light is usually unsuitable for portraits and most other photography. Lack of shadows also make it unattractive for paintings.
The colors of the noon white sunlight are seen in sunset clouds and reflect off of everything around us - gold, peach, coral, orange, pink, red and eventually after the sun sets to dark blue and purple.
White light is composed of all the colors, which can be revealed by shining light through a prism..
Color is seen by the human eye by reflected light off of objects. We don't see color directly. (It's something of brain twister.)
Color in art
1. reveals light
2. sings your song
3. defines painted highlights and shadows
4. creates contrast.
A highlight
1. is usually at the highest point on an object
2. is dependent on the location and sharpness of the light source
3.. moves as the light source moves
3. may be pointed or possibly across the whole object
4. may be located at mid-object, spread out or very soft in color.
Usually, the shadow color
1. is dark at the bottom of an object, depending on the location of the light source
2. is on the ground
3. is under the lower side of an object
4. is graduating to a lighter shade going upwards
5. fades into the lighter upper areas of an object where the light strikes it directly
6. placement depends on the location of the light source
Example: a light source in the left top corner of a painting should create a shadow on the right side. A diagonal line between the top left corner and the right bottom corner shows the light path.
In this painting of a bluebird, the light is in the top right corner, making a shadow on the underside of the bird and a shadow on each petal of the purple flower directly under the bluebird. The other flowers have darker areas on petals where they overlap or are in shadow.
Light and shadow bring life and song to your subject.
The shadows and highlights, however subtle, create visual contrast.
Shadows on objects in the background can reveal highlights on objects in the foreground by contrast.
Contrast creates the area of greatest interest in a painting.
The position of the light source has to be decided before you can commit to highlights and shadows and the color impact on the subjects of the artwork.
A light source can be the sun, the moon, mist, cloudy rainy weather, a candle, an open window, etc.
Cloudy rainy weather has very faint or no shadows.
Snoopy, famous celebrity, lives in a world with no shadows but his world has plenty of light. His engaging personality and adorable face have transcended the laws of art, nature and shadows.
There are exemptions from shadows - such as human babies - by the law of extreme cuteness. And some art styles deliberately exclude shadows and contrast.
Light and shadow are the foundation of art education - learning to draw and paint forms to show graduated light and shadows on round shapes and angles. However boring and unnecessary this seems, it is a highly valuable skill, because this is the skill, played in color, that creates your song.
***The painter alone is the keeper of the light and the life of art.***
***The colors of light are the power of your image.***
***When you add colors, light shades contrasting with dark shades, you can see the light.***
***The artist will create visual power - and song - in contrast.***
***Colors are the painter's amazing musical notes. creating the light, the contrast, the song.***
*** It's all about the light.***
Copyright April 19, 2016
***
Art -The Song Others Can Hear - April 7, 2016
Art - How do you create a Song that others can hear?
Part Three.
If a song has only one or two musical notes, it will be boring.
If your song has a bull's eye, it will be boring.
If your song has only one or two design elements it will be boring.
What do you think makes a song that others can hear?
Subject matter?
Color variations?
Composition?
C Curves?
Balance?
Shapes?
Rythym?
Diagonal lines?
S Curves?
Diversity of shapes?
Variations in height?
Color opposites?
Realism?
Abstraction?
Symbols?
Dogs?
Birds?
Flowers?
Horses?
Wildlife?
Water?
Trees?
Mountains?
Landmarks?
Buildings?
People?
Each one of these are the musical notes in your song.
*** When does it become a song that others can hear and enjoy? ***
*** When you add the rich quality of light. ***
*** Light has a rich diversity of color that transforms everything. ***
*** Light is like magic. ***
*** Light has power. ***
*** Light has shadows. ***
Light on one side of the image produces shadows on the other side of the image.
A light source in the left top corner creates a shadow that faces right.
A diagonal line between the top left corner and the right bottom corner shows the light path.
In this painting the light is in the top right corner, making a shadow on the underside of the bluebird.
Light and shadow bring life to your subject.
The position of the light source has to be decided before you can commit to highlights and shadows.
*** The color of light is the power of your image. ***
*** The color, the highlights and the shadows will captivate viewers who can hear the song. ***
*** It's all about the light. ***
Copyright April 7, 2016
***
Your song - your art - April 1, 2016
We are on our second brushstroke, talking about your song - your art - your design.
Part Two.
The language of art creates the music. Your art is your voice - your song.
Find the music - of course you should search the internet looking for great art and inspiration - but not to copy, Study first and then paint from memory. Create your own music, you will be surprised.
Great design has an obvious color scheme of similar saturation/desaturation shades but not solid colors.
Color is never one flat color shade, a color is made up of many shades in life and in fine art.
Colors can be muted (grayed out), high contrast, intense saturation or soft pastels.
Light colors are cheerful, optimistic and uplifting, and very popular with collectors.
Use small brush strokes or splattering in a variety of related colors to create interest.
Landscapes, landscapes with water and waterscapes are very popular.
The painting above is a mini landscape - a flower garden with an Eastern Bluebird.
This flower landscape is composed of a variety of flower shapes in a variety of blues, lavenders and pinks. Yellow, yellow-orange and peach are color opposites of blue and lavender on the color wheel.
A landscape can be a field of flowers with all the possibilities - similar or different colors, similar or different shapes, with birds (as above), birdhouses, fences, roads, houses, streams, grasses, trees, etc.
A landscape is not a blob of green, a blob of blue, some blobs of brown and some odd color blobs.
Nature is not flat, greens are not flat, they consist of small objects, catching light and creating shadows. Our next page will cover the light source and shadows.
A field of green should have a variety of greens, four or more. You should have highlights, shadows,
saturated colors in the foreground, and muted (grayed out) green in the distance.
A field of green should also have some small flecks of gold and brown for dried stems, seeds and other plants. Or you may reverse the colors where a variety of golds and browns predominate.
Trees and leaves are a variety of shapes, with many different colors in multiple shades.
Trees are not straight lines in one size. They are all different sizes and they grow mostly in curves. Accentuate the curves.
Curves are prettier than straight lines - avoid straight lines as much as possible.
Symbols are more interesting than details - simplify shapes.
Variety in shapes is more appealing than repetition of shapes.
A curving road, path, stream or fence are ideal, but not necessary, for leading the viewer into the painting to feel a part of the scene.
Painting tips for watercolor -
If you paint in watercolor, start with the light areas and build up your darker colors in layers.
Watercolors can be blotted up to fix most errors and/or painted over with gouache which is opaque.
Frisket can be used to mask off areas of the paper to keep them white during painting - if you plan ahead.
White gouache will lighten existing colors or cover many of them. Light colors of gouache can be painted over dark watercolors.
Light weight watercolor paper can be used if you work most dry (don't put a lot of water on the paper, washes or working wet on wet). Inexpensive watercolor paints on watercolor paper can give good results. Inexpensive watercolors and gouache often have very nice and different colors.
Acrylic paints are opaque and permit more and easier color changes.
Practice is the door to excellence.
Copyright April 1, 2016
***
Art - Design - Color - Write Your Song
Art - Design - Color - First brush stroke
Part One.
This is the first brush stroke of many, the first note in your song.
The language of art creates the music.
Your art is your voice - your song.
Every brush stroke shares your thoughts and becomes your message.
Every shape has an emotion.
You will find your style when you understand the language of art.
Curves are prettier than straight lines.
Symbols are more interesting than details.
Variety in shapes is more appealing than repetition of shapes.
We're going to talk about what you want to share - you love or maybe hate.
Your art will keep circling back to something with emotional capital.
We're going to talk about your media for creation - canvas, paper, watercolor, acrylic, photography, sculpture.
We're going to talk about the colors you choose.
We're going to talk about the voice of color.
Gray is intellectual and pragmatic.
Red is "on fire".
Blue and pink are gentle and/or sweet.
Green is peaceful - hundreds of shades with somewhat different messages.
Color is most appealing when used optimistically in multiple diverse shades.
We're going to talk about creating what you love in the color and form and song that someone else will want to own it.
Copyright 3/25/2016
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Love of Nature
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the miracles of life, designs and colors revealed in art and photography.
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Decorating Accessories - Home Interiors
Decorating Accessories - Silk/Dried Flowers
Interior Decorating and Design
Interior Decorating - Floral/Silk
Website Design - since 1999
Falling-Star.com - over two million hits
Corcoran School of Art (Limited)
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Falling-Star.com
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Written permission is required for editing or alterations or commercial use.
Licensing Contracts - Collections:
Publishing, Production, Packaging and Distribution.
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Thank you for your referrals, both personal and professional.
Images - you can't forget - celebrate the Creator and the creation.
Falling-Star.com
DADimages@netscape.com
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SPECIAL NOTICE: Fine Art Prints are not available at this time.
Falling-Star.com
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Purchase
Hand Crafted Fine Art Prints
Signed and numbered by the artist.
Falling-Star.com Original.
Artistic Imaging - refined media.
Visual Arts Media.
Photography - Painting.
Rich, natural colors.
Finest archival paper and inks.
My Fine Art Print Selection
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N/A____8x10 Finest archival paper and inks
N/A____12x18 Finest archival paper and inks
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choose your art print - choose your size
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100% Lifetime Guarantee.
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Books - coming sooon
"Perfect Colors - Perfecting the Art
of Fine Color Design,
Studies and Techniques"
Color has emotional meaning, an unspoken meaning. a voice, attracts your attention, holds you or repels you.
(Digital - Pending publication)
__________________$99
"Perfect Image - Fine Art Nature Photography,
Studies and Techniques"
Design an image that captures an audience instead of just taking a snapshot - unforgettable.
(Digital - Pending publication)
_________________$99
Custom Orders - Personalized Service
Copyright 1999 - 2020 - over two million hits
Copyright on all content - All rights reserved.
Falling-Star.com photographs, art, webpages and their contents are copyrighted and digitally watermarked.
The greeting cards and images may be used unaltered and unedited only for personal use.
Written permission is required for licensing, editing, manipulation, alterations or other commercial use.
Privacy Policy: Your privacy is guaranteed, no information will be released.
E-mail: DADimages@netscape.com
Falling-Star.com is a Woman Owned business.
Falling-Star.com
Celebrating and Respecting the Earth.
Giving thanks to our Creator.
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Prayer for Victory,
"Oh God, We worship You
and give You glory.
Oh God, Creator of Heaven and Earth,
Give us Victory
Give us Wisdom
Give us Strength
Give our enemies into our hands." |
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