resources for artists

Paintings are about the paint;
the application of the paint,
the look of the paint,
the visual feel of the paint.

Brushstrokes are best when visible.

What to paint???
Create a series - College Board recommendations:

A series of works that begins with representational interpretations and evolves into abstraction.
A series of landscapes based upon personal experience of a particular place in which composition and light are used to intensify artistic expression.
Abstractions developed from cells and other microscopic images
Interpretive portraiture or figure studies that emphasize dramatic composition or abstraction
A personal or family history communicated through symbols or imagery
A series of expressive landscapes based upon personal experience of a particular place
A personal or family history communicated through the content and style of still-life images
Abstractions from mechanical objects that explore mark-making
Interpretive self-portraiture and figure studies that emphasize exaggeration and distortion
A project that explores interior or exterior architectural space, emphasizing
principles of perspective, structure, ambiance created by light, etc
An interpretive study of literary characters in which mixed media, color and form are explored
The use of multiple images to create works that reflect psychological or narrative events

"How to Be and Artist" by Jerry Saltz 33 rules to take you from clueless amateur to generational talent (or at least help yopu live life more creatively).

Color mixing basics for oil and acrylic:

Blacks and darksUltramarine Blue and Burnt Umber (or Burnt Sienna)
Warm and cool grays white, Ultramarine Blue and Raw Umber or Burnt Umber
Violet/purple Alizarin Crimson and Ultramarine Blue
Greens
Mix an orange or a purple with any green, or mix any yellow with any blue. Try different combinations, darken with any of the darks mentioned above, lighten with yellow or white
Refer to the color wheel mix across the wheel to tone down colors
Flesh tones for oil painting:
Start with one of the earth tones (Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, or RawUmber)
Add one of the reds (Alizarin Crimson, or Cadmium Red)
Adjust with Ultramarine Blue
Add white as needed

Oil Paint, Water-Mixable Oil Paint, or Acrylic Paint Supplies:

Basic colors: Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Light Hue, Cadmium Red Medium Hue, Raw Sienna or Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Raw Umber, Ultramarine Blue.
Optional colors: Cobalt Blue, Viridian Green, Thalo Green, Thalo Blue, Cerulean Blue, Naples Yellow, Burnt Umber, Permanent Rose, Sap Green, Manganese Blue, Prussian Blue, Indigo, etc.
Mediums:
Mixture of half linseed oil and half Gamsol, kept in a small labeled glass jar with a good lid (for regular oil paint only)
Bottle of Liquin (for regular oil paint only)
Water-mixable oil painting medium (for water-mixable oil paint only)
Acrylic gloss or matte medium (for acrylic paint only)
Palette knife/mixing knife
Brushes:
Filbert ¾" or 1"
Flat ¾" or 1"
Round ⅛" or ¼"
one small pointed brush
Stretched canvases that are related in size (same sizes, or 2 sides that are the same)
Disposable palette: approximately 11" x 14" palette
Silicoil brush cleaning jar filled to just above coil with safflower oil (for oil paint only)
Paper towels, clean white rags, soap
Smock or apron to cover clothes

color wheel

How to begin an artist portfolio website using wordpress:

1. Create a free account at wordpress.com; choose one of the portfolio themes.

2. Name your wordpress, the name you choose will become your url. It's free! i.e. www.yourname.wordpress.com.
You can also follow the directions on wordpress to purchase your own domain name (www.yourname.com) and still use wordpress to put your art online.

3. Choose an art portfolio theme.

4. Start your first post by uploading a photo of a painting. Set it to display on your home page.

5. Upload photos of your paintings, one painting per post usually works best. Within each post you can upload images of the work in progress.

see examples of artists' websites

resources for watercolor paintings

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