Online Art Blog :: Art Gallery

“Washing” is a technique commonly used with watercolors. You start by wetting the area of the paper that will be covered with the wash. Then mix up enough pigment to fill the area and apply the pigment starting at the top and overlapping on any horizontal bands. The wash is then left to dry. Don’t work it as it will even itself out as it dries. The technique called “dropping in color” is a process where an additional color is added to a wet area of the painting which is then allowed to naturally bleed without any interference by the artist. The results are unpredictable with interesting color gradations.

“Glazing” is a technique similar to a wash, but instead of application to a wet surface a thin layer of pigment is applied to a dry surface over washes that already exist. It is used to adjust tone and color on a wash, and it is applied in layers until the desired affect is reached. Just be sure that each layer is dry before applying the next layer. Auroline, cobalt blue and permanent rose are good transparent pigments to glaze with. The “wet in wet” is a technique where you fill your brush with a very wet pigment that is then applied to a wet paper. It can be applied on top of existing washes that have dried. Just dampen these areas with a large brush. This technique provides soft subtle marks that are great for background areas. The “dry brush” is opposite to the “wet in wet” technique. The brush is filled with pigment with the use of minimal water and then it is dragged across the dry paper, producing a very crisp mark with a hard edge. It is an excellent technique for front work and points of interest. “Lifting off” is an interesting technique where the pigment is dissolved and lifted off after it has dried. Just wet the area you want to lift and then use a tissue to blot the pigment off. Reds, yellows, and blues can be more difficult to lift.

Who wants to be a starving artist? Well, no one I can think of. The art world is exploding today, especially with the advent of the Internet. There are myriad ways to take advantage of that explosion, whether you’re a hobbyist or dream of making your living off of art.

There are several myths surrounding art careers, the first of which is that artists are born talented. There may have been a few artists in history who had such excellent hand/eye coordination that art came easily, but most professional artists have studied their craft over a number of years. Most of the great painters of Renaissance fame participated in apprenticeships that lasted for decades. In fact, the Greek term for artist is “techne”, directly translating to “master of a craft”. The Greeks did not hold artists in the high regard we do today because they saw artists as technicians, masters of a set of techniques, not divinely inspired beings. To a degree, the Greek perspective is valid, there is a set of techniques that anybody can learn which will produce decent art. As far as inspiration goes, is freely available to any human who looks for it. Techniques can be learned either by investing in an expensive education, or by the much cheaper alternative of studying a lot of books.

The next hurdle to be overcome is the availability of art materials. Throughout history, art materials have never been less expensive than they are today. If money is really limited, choose an art form that doesn’t require as much investment. Such art forms include Conte crayons, pastels, colored pencils, and charcoal. All you really need is a reputable online supplier of art supplies and artist grade custom sized papers. Other art forms get more expensive, but even the most expensive is no more than a few hundred dollars outlay to get started with.

Once you find all of the books and art supplies you need, practice, practice, and practice some more. No one learns to draw, paint, or sculpt overnight. No one is born knowing how to draw, paint or sculpt. Keep trying new things until you learn how to get the effects you want. If you are dedicated you will see your art skills growing exponentially.

On to the next and last step! Relentless self-promotion is a must. To be a professional artist, you must advertise your art where people can see it. There are many places on the web to show your finished pieces for free or relatively cheaply, but you must also show family, friends, and anyone who will sit still long enough. Get involved in your local art community and show them too. One of the best methods that artist friends of mine use is placing a suitable work of art on personalized backpacks or other usable items for their own use and for sale. Remember, you’re a visual artist. Show, don’t tell. Let your work speak for itself, and you will find those who must have it. Good luck, and may your art career skyrocket!