Thursday, February 26, 2015

Garden of the Gods oil landscape painting by Colorado artist Tracy Haines

Garden of the Gods l
16x20 oil

I had posted the "start" underpainting of this on the 20th.  I'm adding much more color these days- pushing the limits with oil.  I am trying to move in a more abstract direction, but, wow, it's not as easy a transition as I thought.

Great Tip!!  I just happened upon a podcast for artists called,
" Artists Helping Artists".  It's terrific; and good to listen to while painting in the studio. I highly recommend checking it out.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Why is original art so expensive by Tracy Haines


Spring Towards Rampart 8x10 oil/birch  Available for purchase

I am occasionally asked why original art is so expensive. Before becoming an artist, I wondered the same thing.
I would like to share a little bit of what I have learned.

In today's post, I will cover the cost of some essential materials used in a painting. In subsequent posts, we will look at the costs associated with learning to paint, setting up a studio, producing a single painting for sale, start to finish, then what is involved in trying to sell a painting.

The average oil painter uses a palette of a minimum of 6 colors plus white. This bare minimum usually consists of a warm and cool version of each of the primaries. 

A small 37ml tube of professional quality paint averages a price between $8.00 ( alizarin, a cool red) and $19.00 (Cobalt blue)
So, on average, most painters have spent $ 100.00 on paint alone. ( my current working palette has 15 colors plus white)
Decent quality canvases vary in price, but , to do 12 small, 9x12 paintings on an average quality cotton canvas, you can add another $ 80.00. Oil paints and canvases need to be purchased continually. 
To purchase 5 quality oil bristle brushes in different sizes ( again, a bare bones set up) , an investment of perhaps around $50 can be expected. This cost can be stretched out over a longer time, but brushes need to be replaced not infrequently. 

The painter also needs mineral spirits, paint medium and varnish. 
Then there is the initial cost of setting up a dedicated studio area including an easel. This will be covered in another post.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Avoiding Artist Block

This is a recent underpainting using bold strokes of bright color.

One thing I have discovered that is tremendously useful for me as an artist is to leave the studio at the end of the day with something that is in progress.

All of us suffer from the occasional artist block. Or, maybe we are not exactly blocked, but we just can't seem to get to work.  We get busy, but the business is a cover up: we are procrastinating and we know it..... and it's an uncomfortable feeling.

Having a work in progress seems to lessen those times for me.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Floral in Oil
  Sold

Every Wednesday I meet with a group of wonderful gals over coffee.  We have been going through a book called Champagne for the Soul by Mike Mason.  It's about rediscovering joy in the daily grind. Each week I am loathe to leave the studio- so much work to be done! But I always do go, and every time, without fail, I leave rejuvenated, happy, and excited about life.  Friends are a great blessing.

I think artists tend to be natural introverts.  It is so easy to hole up in the studio and forget to get out and interact with the world.  I have made a concerted effort to strike a better balance this year, and it's been good.

Here are some other recent good reads that I'd like to share with you:

Show your Work by Austin Kleon
Creating a Beautiful Home by Alexandra Stoddard
Do what you Love, the Money will Follow - Marsha Sinetar

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

artists taboret tracy haines daily paintings art oils pastels studio landscapes colors

I'm currently reading a book by Carol Marine called Daily Painting.  It's been a fun read with some great tips.  As a result of one of her suggestions, I have a new taboret ( AKA a tool box- but taboret sounds much more studio-savvy.)  I can't believe I never thought of this. Overnight I became much more organized.