The latest artist advice from Sessions Online School of Fine Art discusses the process one should take to market their portraiture services.

Portraits, because they are commissioned, require an especially active process of marketing on the part of the artist. Whereas a buyer may purchase a landscape that catches their eye in passing, a portrait artist must persuade the potential buyer that he/she can create a personalized painting that will be to their liking.

Prove to people that you can do it. Most commissions, you'll find, occur through word of mouth. Get the ball rolling by doing a portrait that will be on display where people will see it. This will be your best advertisement.

This first portrait could be a prominent figure in politics, medicine, or business. As these opportunities are more rare, perhaps go first to a family that entertains frequently, and pitch a painting of a wife or a child. If they like it, you will be surprised with how far a happy client will go to promote you. Your portrait on their mantelpiece will be a lasting billboard for your business.

Please visit Sessions Online School of Fine Art if you would like to learn more about their program.

Utrecht is proud to be a sponsor this year's En Plein Air Masters Artist Workshop & Artist Mentored Sessions.

These summer artist events will be held at the Fairmont Algonquin in Saint Andrews-by-the-Sea New Brunswick, Canada. Learn more... 

The Artist Workshop/Paint Out will take place August 17th - 24, 2008.

The Artist Mentored Sessions will take place August 27th - September 3rd, 2008.

For professionals who depend on the sale of artwork for their livelihood, framing costs have to be kept low, without compromising quality. While professional frame shops are an option for occasional jobs, for most artists having every piece framed professionally is just not economically feasible. Utrecht offers many presentation solutions that keep costs reasonable without compromising professional results.

Ready-made Frames

For those producing works of art in quantity such as printmakers and photographers, or just extremely prolific painters, a good strategy is to work to standard frame sizes. This ensures that styles always match, and often mats are included. Utrecht now offers an improved Ash Studio Frame, in all standard sizes, deep enough for stretched canvases. Available in gallery-standard black or easy-to-finish natural, the Studio Frame now comes complete with archival matting in most sizes. For works on paper, these are ready to use right out of the package, or the natural finish can be stained, waxed, oiled or painted for a custom look.

Nielsen sectional frames have been a favorite of professionals for decades. No other manufacturer has done so much to make in-studio framing easy and trouble free. Smaller sizes can be purchased assembled with glass and mats, and larger or non-standard dimensions can be put together with a screwdriver; just add your own glass and mat.

For outdoor festivals, where lower-end works sell like hotcakes, inexpensive frames make it easy for collectors to purchase, transport and display their newfound treasures. European clip frames and plastic box frames are priced so low, sometimes they're cheaper than a mat! “Sunshine artists” should buy these in quantity.

Your Own Frame Shop

Investing in your own framing equipment can dramatically reduce long-term presentation expenses, and ensure you always get exactly what you want. With a miter saw, manual disk sander, V-nail joiner and fitting tool, virtually any framing task can be accomplished right in the studio, including cradling panels. Your art objects receive the careful handling only you can give. Work in any size you like; fractions of an inch are no problem when you make your own frames. Combine plain, unfinished moldings from the lumberyard to make your own custom profiles, and use Utrecht acrylics and oils to finish them.

Well-framed artwork is a pleasure to make and own.

For more information on the framing materials available in our online store please click here.

Joining the work forces of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore over the following decade, Gregory experimented with the Asian Dream while painting and exhibiting across the region. Swimming in the 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games and capturing four world records with six gold and silver medals nurtured his intimate understanding of blue and green. Completing his Master in Fine Art at the close of the millennium, he saw the significance of yellow ochre and the use of red. Through traveling and casting a wide net, Gregory continues to pull in a diverse catch of colors and imagery.

See more work at Gregory Burns' website.

Work Examples:

 
"Below The Surface" - 2 pcs - 48" x 48" each. Oil on canvas.

 
"Green Series V" - Oil on canvas.

Toning your artist canvas and linen can provide a great base to your painting. It helps create a unified harmony and feel to your work as well as intensifying your complementary colors.

A toned canvas provides a median (5 on the gray scale) between all of the tones one would use. You can tone your canvas with any color, however the four traditional colors are Burnt Sienna, Terra Verta,  a mixture of Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna to produce a cool neutral or the residue at the bottom of your turpentine basin.

Click image below to enlarge tone samples.

To tone your canvas, take your tube color or mixture and brush on a thin wash, wiping off the excess with a lint free cloth to allow the surface of the canvas to show through. Then let the canvas dry before painting.

It's that simple and you will love the results.

Our next professional artist advice article provided by Sessions Online School of Fine Art offers suggestions for putting your artwork online.

You should create a website for your artwork.  This can make it easy for anyone who wishes to see your work that you meet in passing.  It may be difficult to get someone to stop by your studio for a visit. Instead, have a website that you keep up to date with your newest work. Make sure to include ways for someone to contact you if necessary.  You may also consider including other information such as a bio, artist statement, and a resume or CV.

There are also several sites on the Internet where you can set up a portfolio of your work.  These sites are often free.  Artists, curators, galleries, and collectors when looking for new work to view use them.

Here is a listing of a few artist website providers:

saatchi-gallery.co.uk
allartonline.com
artabus.com
artistsspace.org
nurtureart.org
vsarts.org
artspan.com

Also, don’t underestimate the power of social profile sites like Facebook and MySpace. These sites allow you to create free profiles that you can submit information and pictures of your work that you can then promote to friends and strangers alike. Just having a profile increases the chance that someone might randomly come across your work. If you are active though, you can send friend requests to thousands of individuals giving them a chance to see your work. You would be surprised to see who is a member of these communities. Many galleries, art spaces, curators, and working artists are on these sites.

Please visit Sessions Online School of Fine Art if you would like to learn more about their program.