In this section on Oil Painting…

I will share some of the things I did while pursuing an career as an artist…Perhaps you need a place to ‘start’ when you feel that the artwork you’ve done is ready to be considered professional and would be considered ‘ready’ to sell.  Also included in this section are some helpful resources for those who have always wanted to LIKE the things they try to draw or paint; but at that early age when they saw that their rendition did not resemble what they saw in real life… and gave up.

At a certain point I asked myself… so you want to be an artist???

As I mentioned previously in my “Artist Biography” I decided to pursue art professionally when I had some success selling  the painted furniture and reproductions of folk art portraits I had been painting using acrylics… however;  I felt that the market I was interested in was oil painting.  It wasn’t until after becoming involved in oil painting classes that I learned that I needed a way not only to have my artwork cataloged as well as put into another medium (i.e. photographed so that I could have a ‘portable’ way of showing it to galleries without lugging the finished canvases and risking damaging them). For more info. on this, refer to the article “Building an Artist Portfolio“.

I feel very fortunate…

to have been exposed to artists early on,  and I have come to realize that it played a HUGE role in why I became an artist myself.  I recognized from hearing other people I knew who have told me., “I can’t draw…all I can manage is to do a ‘stick-figure!”  that this is often the experience of most people who have not had been fortunate enough to have had the influence of artists in their lives.  I also realized that people who have not had that luxury; that there are books out there that can help them to find ways to discover their hidden potential as an artist or at least someone who is able to render a decent illustration.  In reading a very resourceful book…  “Drawing On The Right Side Of the Brain” written by Betty Edward’s, which addresses the fact that most people do not get the opportunity to move from the point of drawing stick-figures to the next level, Betty outlines this concept; as well as offers drawing exercises designed to help you get from ‘the stick-figure’… to being able to do a more accurate rendering of the subject that you are attempting to recreate.  She does this in part, by having you look at examples of subjects from different directions, or in other ways for example;  by not having readers look at the subject directly…. and instead drawing WITHOUT looking at the object at all.  This may seem odd and not particularly comfortable to do at 1st, however; following these types of exercises, get you to ‘see’ things in a totally different manner than you are accustomed to… a new way of  ‘seeing’ things.

Deciding to sell your artwork can be a scary thing… putting yourself  & your work out there for others to see is a big step for most artists.  Doing some research before you proceed can lessen the anxiety associated with doing so.  You can also check out art shows, artist exhibitions & even view what’s available online; to see that you are pricing your paintings appropriately for the art market.

Now that you’ve finished some  ‘successful’  pieces of artwork,  (in other words… when you look at what you’ve painted you really like what you see); you might have reached the point when you are considering the possibility that you’re ready to submit them for consideration, & maybe even for sale; to people other than your friends & family…

You truly are at a crossroads!

Some artists never get past the fear of having their technique, style, & impression of a composition critiqued by other artists or art professionals…in fact, some never even try, for fear of that type of rejection.  This is a BIG step for most artists… and once you’ve made the decision to proceed, you need to know how to present your work  as well as yourself as an artist;  in a professional manner.  You can do so with a professional, attractive, artist portfolio.

Building an Artist Portfolio :  Introducing Your Artwork… Getting started

First, you’ll need some photographs of your work… that will show your work in an artist portfolio  accurately & in a flattering manner, unless you are physically bringing examples of them with you to a place where they are to be ‘juried’;  (i.e. submitted for consideration for entrance into an art show, association, gallery, guild, etc.)  to be accepted or rejected by their panel of judges.  Many artists find that they can take decent photos with a digital camera, however; if you’ve never done so, once you have the finished product; compare how they look to others you see online.

Building an Artist Portfolio :  Introducing Your Artwork… Choosing Images

Are the images sharp? Do they represent the colors as close to what they really are when you see them in person?  Do they have any defects that could detract… such as showing the camera’s flash, etc.?  If so, and by changing a few things; such as lighting or the settings on your camera, (you may want to have them taken by a professional photographer or by someone you know, who has the ability to make them look professional).  Having an artist portfolio of printed & digital photographs of your artwork are a good way to show others what your work consists of, as well as for submitting them to galleries, or displaying them online.  Online galleries & artist websites are a new way that artists are now exhibiting their artwork, and there are also sites that promote the work of many artists by providing them various ways to do so.

Building an Artist Portfolio :  Introducing Your Artwork… Resources

Some of these all-inclusive art/artist websites, provide artists with a free customized website, with an … “Ecommerce” shopping cart, (click on this link to visit an eCommerce Web Developer) which makes it possible for visitors to purchase your artwork… tools for converting your artwork into print media, (limited-edition prints, posters, greeting cards, etc.); as well as exposure on the internet that allows you to ‘get your feet wet’, so you can tell how well your artwork is received before venturing to create a website that will be showcasing your work alone.

Your artist portfolio  should contain a variety of subjects and styles, and should not be limited to only one type of media if you engage in several.  Choose the most colorful, interesting ones that demonstrate your ability as an artist.  One tool that artists use to promote themselves & their work,  is a biography or ‘bio’; which describes how they got started in art or other venues.  An artist bio gives a description of their background in art, & will often explain how they arrived at choosing the subjects and the techniques they used to achieve their results in their finished work.

Building an Artist Portfolio : Creating An Effective ‘Bio’

Other elements that you can include in your artist portfolio  ‘bio,’ to let people know about you as an artist, include things  such as:  the types of art classes you’ve taken & the names of the places where you attended them; as well as awards you may have received as a student or in artist shows and exhibitions.  Finally, it can be a good idea to also include a section in your artist portfolio bio, about your impression of your artistic experiences… past,  present & future.