Blondheim Art Original Paintings

NOTAN Painting of Paynes Prairie
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
acrylic on Index paper

See My Paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE



Upcoming Events

November 1- "Country Roads" Leesburg , FL 5-7 PM
November 3- Linda's Annual Chili Bash 10 AM - 6 PM
November 4- Open Studio Class 2-6 PM


I have to take a few days off from blogging for various events. I will be posting again on Monday 11/5/07


Painters Tip


Study Supplies

An artist wrote to me yesterday asking about the supplies I use to do studies. As most of you know, I do many studies in preparation for my larger finished paintings. I like to use index paper, which is also called card stock. You can purchase it in any office supply store and it ranges in weight from 65 pound and up. The higher the number the heavier and thicker the card stock. It also comes in a variety of colors, so if you don't like painting on a white surface you can choose a color. Gray or buff would be good choices as an alternative to white.

Most of these study paintings are done in acrylic, but ink or watercolor would work very well, as well as tempera, casein and gauche.

It is also ok to use oils, but in order to have sellable paintings you would need to gesso the paper both front and back. If you are going to use the paintings as reference paintings only, oils are fine directly on the paper.

Another alternative is to use index cards or mat board scraps. I have done many nice acrylic paintings on mat board, but again, you need to use acid free archival board if you wish to sell the paintings on mat board. The other very nice board is illustration board.

The reason I like to use card stock is because I can punch holes in the paper and keep it in my NOTAN book if I wish to refer back to the paintings.

You can see above, one image is the series of 9 paintings before they are cut out and then another image of single painting after it is mounted on 4x6 inch mat board.

If you want to do studies on Masonite or canvas you can grid off your panel or canvas to do the studies. To cut the canvases you would use a straight edge with a blade to separate them, mounting them to mat board or acid free foam board. The Masonite would be harder to cut, but it can be done.

The paper is a fraction of the cost of traditional supports.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Cypress Trees
30x40 inches
oil on canvas
Available at:

Painters Tip

What Works-What Doesn't Work

Start a journal about what is working for you in painting and marketing. Try to find a good idea each week about technique or marketing and write it in a journal. Follow through on your idea consistently.

Start the same journal about what is not a good idea or about things that simply don't work for you in your career or painting style.

Hopefully your good idea book will soon outpace your bad idea book and you will feel more positive about your painting and career path. Focus more on the good idea book and less and less on the bad idea book. After a few months you will be open to new ideas and produce them regularly. You will be well on your way to a successful career. Keep the bad idea book, so that you don't make the same mistakes twice. That book will be a reminder not to try bad ideas more than once.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Aucilla River
30x40 inches
oil on canvas
SOLD

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


Advertising a sale of your work.

If you are going to have a sale, it is important to make it easy for customers to purchase via web site or actual physical space. When you send out the PR about your sale, be sure to give out every bit of information you can so that customers don't have to email back and ask a lot of questions. Your prices should be directly under the paintings with a pay pal or shopping cart button, easy to make an instant purchase because impulse buying is always a factor with sales. Frankly, only artists are willing to go through any hassle at all. Regular buyers will not write with questions. They want to know exactly what they are getting without bothering to communicate much.

Be sure to be clear on whether the paintings are framed or unframed. Be sure to announce the dates for the sale and how long the paintings will be available online for purchase. Make sure that you give them the price ranges they should expect to see, such as 50.00 to 500.00 for paintings from 5x7-12x16. That tells them whether your sale is doable or not such a great sale.

Advertise your sale at least a week ahead of time so that the anticipation will build. Make a few flyers to put up around the community well in advance.

If you are having a sale, make it a real sale by slashing prices in half. If you only reduce by a small amount, it will mean nothing to buyers. They want to know that it really is a sale.

Offer to ship the paintings and gift wrap should be an option, particularly this time of year.

Once a year I have a super sale on Ebay where I start all of the paintings for 3.00 at auction with 2.00 for shipping. I sell everything from 5x7-8x10 inches that I list, averaging 85.00 per painting. Then I take the larger sale paintings to the local bookstore for my larger work sale, slashing those prices too. It is all older work or studies with very low prices but I make a good little sum.

Don't go halfway for a sale. Go all out and clean out your studio of older work which is no longer at your skill level.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Shired Island Palms
24x24 inches
oil on canvas
champagne silver frame
1800.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Cross Marketing

There may be a more official name for it, but sharing marketing with another type of business pays.

I did an experiment with a realtor last Saturday where we combined the house he wanted to show off with my paintings. It was a total success and we already have plans for another effort around the holidays.

He usually has 6-15 people wander through an open house. This time we got a feature write up in the home section of the newspaper with three photos. He ended up with over 75 people coming through, and I sold 6 paintings.

You start to see the possibilities don't you? There are a lot of good marraiges of buinesses that naturally compliment each other for shared marketing.

Art + High End Homes
Floral Art + Garden Centers
Landscape Art + Botanical Gardens
Art + Furniture Stores

Think outside of the box when you think about marketing art. Sit down with paper and pencil and the buiness section of the phone book and try to match your work up with other businesses. Write a nice proposal for them and see what happens.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Trees Near Orange Lake
24x36 inches
oil on canvas
gold frame
2000.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE

Painters Tip

Transporting paintings

Packing and transporting paintings to exhibitions and events can be daunting. Yesterday was my first "Art in the House" event. I needed 40 paintings for the day. Wrapping and loading a car for that kind of event takes careful planning and execution.

The first thing I do is staple cardboard corners to the backs of the frames. Then I put small ones in pillow cases. For large paintings I use flat sheets or old blankets/comforters either securing them with masking tape or sewing the blankets up on two sides to make a giant pillow case. You could of course use bubble wrap but that is much more expensive and wasteful. The bubble wrap also takes up too much space. When you have 40 paintings to load you must make them as small as possible to fit in.

Small paintings can be boxed and placed in the passenger seat, belted in with the seatbelt.

The large paintings are stacked in the floor of the trunk or hatchback, largest first. I put the paintings back to back and then a sheet of cardboard or foam board between the fronts. As the stack goes up, the paintings get smaller and can be fit two and three across.

Lastly, I use bungee cords to secure the stack by running them under and over the stack and hooking them to the two clothing rings that always come in car back seats.

They are nice and safe for my journey.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

Saving money on shipping

I ship paintings all around the USA almost constantly. Most of them are small so I use USPS Priority Mail boxes because they are free. For large paintings I use UPS or Fed Ex but AI do all the packing myself before I take it to them.

Packing materials are expensive. I have found a way to get most of them free. The only thing I have to buy is tape.

I check with business people I deal with, my local gallery, my framers and gift shops for packing materials. They have tons of it and just throw it away. I get boxes,bubble wrap, packing foam and peanuts from them whenever I need it. It is a great idea for both of us because they feel better about recycling and I get what I need for nothing.

I also receive a lot of my frames shipped and I save the boxes and bubble wrap from them as well. Check with furniture stores for large mirror boxes for larger paintings.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Wekiva Palms
12x16 inches
oil on panel

silver frame
800.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip
Recycling paintings

Yesterday I went through quite a few old paintings in preparation for my studio party next week. I always have a browse bin of sale paintings for the parties. The bin is full of plein air studies from 5x7-8x10 inches, and the older paintings that did not sell for whatever reason, or paintings I just don't feel made the cut for retail.

Some paintings have interesting areas which can be cropped and mounted to mat board as miniatures. They actually make wonderful tiny paintings. I cut out a matboard in whatever size I want to make them and use it for cropping. It is a great way to revitalize an old painting.

If the painting is on canvas, simply use a single edged razor blade to cut out the shape. If it is on mat board or paper, use a paper cutter or straight edge and exacto knife to cut out the shapes.

You can also make wonderful abstract paintings from older paintings too.

Before you burn or throw out those old paintings, consider giving them a new life as a brand new painting.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Apalach Palms
12x16 inches
oil on panel
gold frame
Purchase HERE


Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

Hanging space for studio parties

I'm having a studio party on November 3rd. My studio is one open room. There is very limited wall space but I do have room in the open walking areas. I also have a tiny front deck/stoop which leads into the studio space.
For every party I worry about not having good hanging space. The object of a studio party is to have as much work available as possible because you will have more visitors for a party than any other time of the year. You want to show them all that you can, without making it look like a jumbled mess.

This time I will have some added hanging space by using the portable racks that art festival artists use. I have two racks set up in the middle of the studio for paintings to hang and I put the other two up on my tiny deck so that they make two walls for the deck. I will put very nice paintings on those racks because it will create an impact for viewers as they arrive. I have placed potted plants around the deck to add color and texture, trying to create a tiny outdoor gallery space as they come to the studio.

If you don't have racks you may have a friend who does outdoor festivals. They might lend them to you for the day. Other alternatives include homemade racks with 1x2 inch lumber as a frame and chicken wire. You can make slide on covers out of cotton duck(Looks like a long pillowcase)hollow core doors put together with hinges, or louvered closet doors.

You can also set up these stands out in the yard near the studio door, with nice potted plants, a rug and small desk, staging an outdoor room.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Color NOTAN Painting
2 1/3 x 3 1/2


See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


For beginning plein air painters I recommend that you make yourself a cheat sheet to keep in your paint box or easel. Make a list of what you need to remember while you are painting.

Here is the list I give my students:

Simple Steps For Plein Air Painting

1. Keep your composition as simple as possible.
2. Omit fussy details.
3. Squint your eyes frequently to establish values.
4. Block in values early.
5. Create Intervals-Try not to put major elements on the same plane.
6. Work all over the painting, gradually adding details.
7. Step back frequently and give your mind a rest.
8. Create resting places in the composition when appropriate.
9. Use diagonals curves and angles to create interest.
10. Create a center of interest through brushwork, detail and color intensity.
11. Do you have a plan for your painting?
12. Will it have a dominant value? Dark, Light, Mid Value?
13. Lay in value and color where you see it. Save the refinement for later.
14. Do not over blend. Keep brushwork crisp and clean.
15. Does the painting have Texture, Rhythm and Harmony?

Don't overload the list. Just the basics. You can make up your own list. What I do is print it out on card stock in small type. I glue it to a little 4x6 mat board and put it in a little clear plastic envelope. That way you can clip it to your easel or box and it wont get too dirty.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Orange Lake Palms
18x24 inches
oil on canvas
1500.00
Gold Frame

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters TIP


Don't Be Arrogant!

There seems to be a disease of arrogance when you get to be a certain level as an artist. I see it everywhere. Particularly in artists who feel the necessity of critiquing other's work without invitation. Some artists feel compelled to show their superior knowledge in painting by fixing everyone Else's work. I am not talking about the teacher student relationship here. I am talking about one painter to another. It is degrading embarrassing and causes bad blood. Just don't do it!!

Then there are the painters who demand special treatment in group exhibits, paint outs and other group activities. They are too busy to deliver their work, so others must fill in and do it for them. They want all of the attention from promoters and dealers. Their paintings cannot be hung next to someone Else's who they don't like or who might make their work look poor. They expect special privileges. They cannot be bothered with rules. Just don't do it!!!!

Lastly, the painters who feel so superior that they are unwilling to converse with the regular folk, or paint with anyone who is not a "signature" member of a group. They won't hang around after the daily grind to enjoy fellowship. They can't be bothered with the masses. Just don't do it!!!!!

We are born with nothing and we will die with nothing. Get a grip and start being a kinder, more thoughtful artist!!!

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Prairie in Summer
8x10 inches
oil on linen panel

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Upcoming Events:

ART IN THE HOUSE

Linda's Annual Chili Bash
Saturday, November 3, 2007
10AM - 6PM
Directions to the studio are on my web site contact page.

Country Roads
Leesburg Art Center
November 1- December 15, 2007




Painters Tip


I think artists have to make decisions in their career path. You can go for fame, prestige, and a name brand, or you can aspire to actually making a living with your art. There are a few who actually achieve both but fewer than you imagine. Many of the artists who achieve prestige and recognition are not in fact, surviving on their art. Many of them are teaching in colleges and others have families who support them financially, while they go out and look important. The number of artists who actually make a full living from their art by teaching workshops and painting are few.

I know quite a few including myself who survive because we are willing to live lower on the food chain. We are also more concerned with being a working artist than we are with prestige. We don't think that selling cheapens our art. Many in the high circles of art consider it to be prostitution. I've never understood that. My Daddy taught me that I should never be ashamed of hard work. I did my share of cleaning houses, cooking for wealthy people and selling clothes at a department store to get where I am now, at the bottom of the food chain, but surviving. :>)

It seems that there are parallel universes for artists. One path leads to poverty and prestige. The other leads to income and disdain from the art snobs.

I think the secret is to go about your business of painting, doing good hard work to improve, good marketing, and faith in yourself. Let the others sort it all out and worry about the politics. You just stay on the path. Hard work pays off eventually. 20 years ago, I never thought I would be where I am today, making a living and enjoying the life of a working artist. If I had listened to all of the nay sayers, I would be sitting in an office somewhere, bored and depressed.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Original Version




Reworked Version
8x10 inches
oil on panel

See my paintings HERE


Painters Tip


Reworking a plein air painting

The above painting was done last May in the broiling heat at a 10 day paint out. I thought it was pretty dull. All of the color was the same green in trees and home, so I thought "what the heck?" Either get rid of it or do something fun. I really did not want to redo the whole painting, so I basically did some color changes and cleaned it up a bit. I think it is much happier now and a fun painting, though of course there are architectural failings in it.

Sometimes it is good to put a painting away for a few months and bring it back out for further review. I'm not one of the plein air police who are overly concerned about whether a painting is pure or not. I am only concerned about getting as good a painting as I possibly can.
If that means going back to it in the studio months later, I will do that. I don't really label my paintings plein air and that is not a selling point for my work. I consider myself a landscape painter who works on location and in studio. I am more comfortable with that label than being called a plein air painter.

When you bring a painting back to review it, try to figure out what you don't like and what can be changed to enhance it. Don't over correct. There will be much that is good about it. It probably only needs a bit of clean up or change in color to make it more interesting.

If it is so bad that it needs major reconstruction, I recommend that you sand it down, re prime it and start over. Or you can put it in your sale bin as a study. Believe it or not, I sell a lot of my studies. People actually like them.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Orange Lake Overlook
8x10 inches
oil on panel
gold frame
500.00
Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

More on Paint Outs

There is more to doing a paint out than just sitting around and painting. The promoters have specific ideas about were you will paint on any given day, and the time schedule is set to revolve around activities which draw crowds. They expect artists to be highly visible to the viewers and very accessible to them. The more interaction between artists and viewers the better for selling paintings. That is why you are there at an invitational paint out.

You must be willing to be on time for all events, well organized, have all your equipment with you and be set up to paint by their schedule. You will also be expected to participate in all kinds of after hours activities, like artist parties, patron parties, luncheons with guests and so forth.

You will often find yourself in the midst of very large crowds, sometimes with curious children, and you will be expected to be charming and friendly, even when you need to concentrate on your painting. We have all been known to stay up into the we hours at night painting and finishing paintings because the crowds were so large the previous day it was impossible to paint seriously.

You will also need to be friendly and courteous to other artists and promoters, even when they are not so good to you. Behaving in a professional manner will enhance your chances of being invited to other events. There are exception to this. I was involved in a paint out for two years in which the promoter did not treat all of the artists equally or fairly. After the second year, I spoke up against this behavior and I'm not sorry I did. Sometimes we have to take a stand, even when it is difficult and will hurt us.

If you are going to do professional paint outs, you need to follow the rules and be professional. It is not a vacation. It is serious work.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Wekiva River Palms
12x16 inches
oil on panel
gold frame
800.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

Selecting Paint Outs

Paint Outs are very popular here in the South, and I know they are in California and the Southwest. I don't know anything about western paint outs, having never been to one. I can only address the way Florida works.

There are really three basic categories here in Florida. The first is group paint outs for fun. These are usually put together by local painting clubs and are loosly organized by members. Others are often invited to come. The atmosphere is very relaxed and most of them are really excuses to get together socially.

The second type is a juried paint out, where resumes and images are submitted to a committee and artists are selected. Thses sometimes have prize money and contests like quick draws and such. The artists are required to pay for the priviledge of coming and little is provided for them other than water or a simple meal.

The third is an invitational paint out. These provide artists with housing and meals, and have elaborate openings for patrons. The artists are usually very high level painters with high profile names, so that patrons are very attracted to these events. They are very well attended and the sales are good. No financial burden is put on the artists, so they are able to relax and focus on the work each day. A lot of cameraderie is built between the artists and they beome close friends rather than competitors. The money is invested in advertising and other costs, which make the event more succesful. These painters do not need prize money to know they are good. They would rather sell paintings in a stress free environment.

Number three, the Invitational is my choice 99% of the time. They are a real pleasure to do. I will occasioally do the juried paint out, ony if I know that sales will be good. There is only one that I will do this year, because it is in my market and I know I can sell.

The selection process also has to do with your level and brand name as an artist. If you are starting out the group paint out will give you some experience and boost your self confidence. When you feel you are ready to do a juried paint out, go for it. Invitational paint outs are usually designed for very experinced painters who have built a regional reputation. Keep in mind that there are other criteria for selection besides your painting ability.

More on this tomorrow...

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Winter Pasture
12x16 inches
oil on panel
Gold Frame
800.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


Selling Plein Air

Plein Air painters have an advantage over studio painters because we are out there in the public eye constantly. Our paintings are usually small, easily transported, less expensive to purchase than large work, and there is always a small niche or desktop to display them at home or the office. Point out these advantages when marketing your paintings.

Always have business cards with you on painting excursions. Point out to patrons that they can display unframed paintings on the little decorative easels that you find in art and camera shops. Keep your sizes standard so that clients are able to purchase less expensive frames on their own.

Go to the local pizza shop and purchase small pizza boxes to keep in your car. They make great painting boxes, which a client can use to carry wet paintings. Giving them optional framing is a good selling technique.

Incorporate shipping options into your selling plan, such as free shipping on purchases of more than one painting. I use USPS Priority Mail for most of my shipping because they give you free boxes. That adds up in savings. Offer gift wrap on paintings with gift cards that have your image on them. This is easy to do with your home computer.

Have a list of selling points with you to refresh your memory. Be prepared to discuss your working methods, and share interesting stories about your painting adventures with observers. You will know when someone is genuinely interested.

What is it about plein air painting that you enjoy? Why is it different than studio work and special? When you come up with a list of reasons, type them up and print them out on a card with one of your images and information. Hand them out to folks who stop to browse. I make single sheet brochures, which is a 1/3 of a piece of 8 1/2x11 index paper. It has the above info with a small image of my work and contact info. I keep one of the lexan brochure holders in my car with the sheets and biz cards. When I stop to paint, I have it with me to give them out to potential patrons.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Wilson Island
8x10 inches
oil on panel


See my paintings Here


Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


Setting Priorities


I seem to get busier and busier as the year goes toward the holidays. Galleries are asking for new work, I have been invited to do exhibitions and events,the chili party is right around the corner and I have two more workshops this fall. This happens every year for all professional artists. We constantly overbook events. What seems doable in March when we are invited, becomes difficult in November when it actually has to be accomplished.

For that reason, we need to take a hard look at all of our busyness and get rid of some obligations and time wasting activities.

One of the first things I did when I found my world getting too busy was to drop out of several organizations which were really not helping my career in any way. I have one more to leave and I think that will be the end of that chore. I took a good hard look at all of them and analysed whether they actually led to any actual promotions for me or any sales of art directly or indirectly and if the answer was no, I resigned.

I got rid of all of my art magazine subscriptions. Yes, they are fun to read but did they actually do any good for my career? Most of the ones relating to marketing are geared to beginners in that area. I wasn't really learning anything new, simply rehashing ideas. I am subscribed to several free Internet marketing newsletters anyway so why pay for old information? The magazines depleted my working funds, which could be used for art supplies or framing. Getting rid of the mags saved me money and time.

I now order supplies and most of my framing online, which saves me a lot of shopping time. I try to pick one day to varnish paintings all at once, do all of the framing and inventorying-packing work for exhibitions, so that it gets done and over before I move on to other activities.

There are lots of ways to save time. My advice is to sit down with paper and pen and first decide what you really like to do. (I love spending time on the computer) Keep those activities. Then decide what you are doing that you are not enjoying but just do out of obligation. Get rid of that part of your art life. You have enough family and personal obligations to do without dragging around useless art obligations. Get rid of them and move on. If it hurts feelings, they will get over it.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Apalachicola Palms
8x10 inches
oil on panel
gold frame
500.00
Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

Color Temperature Exercise

I like to do this little exercise with my painting students.

Grid off a sheet of index paper into nine even rectangles. Look for photographs of subjects or scenes which have clearly defined warm and cool elements. I found a picture of tree bark yesterday which had very evident areas of cool and warm color. The exercise is to mix and apply these areas of warm and cool color onto each section of the paper, forming the subject by the placement of warm and cool areas. The image emerges as you fill in these areas. You can use multiple subjects or practice one over and over again.

My student yesterday was practicing painting tree bark and so she used the same image 9 times. By the time she finished the lesson, she really had an understanding of how to do the bark in a 3 value NOTAN, a five value study, and a color temperature study of the subject. Next week we will be going out on location to paint tree trunks and she will be armed and ready, having taken the time to study first.

This exercise helps you to really see color temperature changes in an object, whether it be a figure, tree, hillside, or any other object. It also helps you learn color mixing skills in a practical application rather than doing boring swatches.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Scipico Creek
Apalachicola Florida
12x16 inches
oil on panel
gold frame
800.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

Paint out Sales

Don't rely on promoters to garner sales for you. You must be prepared in advance. Spend a few months promoting the event on your blogs, web sites, and sending press releases. Those include all radio stations,TV, and style magazines. Send some history of your painting adventures and make the PR personal and interesting. Try to get a mailing list together for the area location by looking at businesses in the area.

Write to the Chamber of Commerce and find out what businesses and industries are in the area. Try to get to the location a few time to paint there so you can develop friendships with potential buyers. Is there a local art gallery in the town? Go in an introduce yourself and tell them you will be included in the event. You may be asked to show work there after the event.

Send separate postcards or letters to anyone within 100 miles of the event from your own mailing list. Do everything possible to promote yourself and stand out in front of the pack. With upward of 40 artists for an event, you need to do something to make yourself stand out. Most of the other artists will not bother to go to this effort, so you will have an advantage.

If possible, hire a sales assistant for the event who will work on commission. A sales assistant can be where you can't. The assistant will be able to talk with people who are not familiar with your work. He/she will be able to meet many more people because he is free to move around meeting lots of people. Since an assistant is skilled at sales, he will be able to motivate people both during the actual painting time and more importantly at the opening.

Professional paint outs are fun but they are really about making money. if I just want to paint I can go out on my own. The Invitational paint outs are about sales and promotion. Do everything you can to help yourself.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Palm Miniature
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
acrylic on index paper

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Coming Events

Art In The House
October 27, 2007
Ocala, Florida

Annual Chili Party
November 3, 2007
Linda Blondheim's Studio
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Come feast on homemade chili with all the toppings. Finish it off with homemade lemon pound cake. All guests are eligible to win a 100.00 studio gift certificate. I will have lots of miniature paintings which make great little holiday gifts.


Painters Tip

I am on the road starting tomorrow for a few days of painting fun in Apalachicola. I'll post again on Monday.


Make a list and check it twice.


Doing a big paint out takes a lot of time and planning beforehand. I like to get a checklist started weeks before the event.

You are going to need to order canvases,frames,brushes and paints. Order the number you think you will realistically use and then about 30%- 50% more. There is nothing worse than going to this kind of event and running out of supplies or frames. Most good paint outs have a wet room, where paintings are sold each day to the patrons. If your work is popular at an event and you are selling like mad, you will need to step up your production to meet the demand for your work. If you run out of supplies it will be disastrous. Not being able to produce paintings when you know they will sell is a terrible feeling. I say this from personal experience, having been unprepared when I started out years ago.

I start ordering my supplies months ahead, and packing the frames and supplies in boxes. I write on the outside of the box the name of the paint out and what I have packed in the box. I can store multiple paint out supplies together and sort the boxes when it comes time to go. In Florida, we tend to have most of the paint outs in the spring or fall, so they are ofter back to back. This year all of mine are in the spring, so I have a few months to get ready.

More on paint outs Monday...

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Color NOTAN Paintings of Orange Lake

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


Preparing for a paint out


I do a few professional paint outs each year here in the South. I have three lined up for spring of 2008.

There is always a lot of pressure to perform well at these events. You are painting with some of the top level painters from your region and you want to stack up well next to them.

I like to get ahead by doing some paintings in advance. getting the lay of the land, looking at possible painting spots and playing around with color, values and compositions. All of this preliminary work helps me to feel confident and excited about the event.

I have already started doing some miniature NOTAN paintings of Orange Lake and one of the Evinston farms, where we will be painting at The Heart of Florida paint out, April 11-18, 2008. I make a copy of the paintings to put into my reference book before I cut them out as individual miniatures to sell. I must say that I learn so much more from my NOTAN paintings than I do from big ones.

More on getting ready for paint outs tomorrow........

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Canal
6x9 inches
oil on panel
gold frame
350.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE





Painters Tip


More on painting on location



Think about masses first. Get out of the habit of contour drawing and focus on large shapes and negative space. I tell my students to think about applying or plugging in color where they see it, as if the painting is a series of color shapes.

When you mix a color, hold it out on the brush at arm's length in front of the object you are painting. You will see if it is accurate in color temperature, value and local color, before you apply to the spot where you need it. Often we think the color and value are correct in a mix on the palette, only to find that it is off once applied to canvas.

Continue to plug in these color shapes until the canvas is blocked in with paint. It will be like a quilt painting in a sense. Then you can go back and refine until you have a three dimensional painting.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Two Palms
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
acrylic palm study on index paper


See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


Thinking about simplified values on location


I have long been a fan of simplified values. I like to use a five value plan when I paint out on location. KISS rule applies for me. Rather than struggling with a full value range, stick to the basic five. In gray scale I am referring to white, black, mid tone gray, mid tone between black and mid gray, and mid tone between white and mid gray.

I will often do a tiny format painting in these five values before I start my real painting, taking 10 minutes or less to complete the value study. It helps to mix these five values and put a line of the swatches up at the top of your panel to use as a reference.

Doing the little value study helps me to understand the values I will need to use in the color painting. It also give me a bit of time to work out the composition in my mind. I might end up doing more than one.

As you know, I am a huge fan of doing studies in painting, and doing small exercises which build technical skills. Don't leave out study time if you want to be a good painter.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Marsh Grasses
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
Mounted on 4x6 inch mat board

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


Blocking In Major Elements

My method is simple and effective. I start with a single color to place the major elements in my painting. Once I have everything placed in the composition, I step back to take a look and think about what I might want to do to improve the placement.

If there are changes, I use a second color to move things around and to make adjustments. The advantage to this method is that you can clearly see your original composition and your revised composition.

You may not like any of the changes or some of them. Since you can see both versions, you can make intelligent choices between the two. Sometimes you will want to go somewhere in between the two. For that final adjustment use a third color.

This will be your final composition and the others will simply be painted over. Since all three versions are done in the thinest of stains, they are easily covered.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Marsh Palms
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
acrylic on index paper
Mounted on 4x6 inch mat board

See my paintings HERE

Painters Tip

I wanted to share excerpts from this excellent article written by Larry Fredricks, contributor to the Early To Rise Newsletter. I changed a few of the words to relate to artists and left out some things which were not relevant to artists. Early To Rise is an excellent resource for business and marketing.


Postcards Are Not Only for Travelers

By Larry Fredericks

One of the most common reasons that people give for not trying to start a new business is the fear of losing a lot of money. This reason is not foolish. When you're playing with your financial survival or that of your family, you've got to act responsibly. Yet, as you probably know, starting your own business is one of the best ways to become wealthy.

So how do you get past that fear of losing money? Easy. Start the business by doing postcard mailings.

I've used this technique to start several profitable small businesses, so I know from personal experience that it works. And - besides being very inexpensive - one of the best things about this technique is that it's so versatile. Almost any service and quite a few products can be marketed by mailing postcards.

There are some distinct advantages to using postcards to market your art or services:

• Postcards are much cheaper to print and mail than full-size sales letters in envelopes.

• Postcards don't have to be opened to be read by your potential customer.

• Postcards are small and easy to handle, so you can do a test mailing with a few thousand of them yourself.

You can print and mail out 1,000 postcards for about $300 to $350. A small test mailing like this to people in your target market will give you a good idea of whether your ideas will be successful. If you get a two percent response rate, which is not crazy at all, you could have 20 new customers. In the direct-response marketing business, a two percent response rate is generally considered good. (Note: Your response is partially dependent on how well you identify your target market.)


Once you see that your postcard marketing effort is working, you can mail out more. If you get the same response rate, now you've got another 100 new clients - and the foundation of a thriving business. And the great thing is that you only risked a few hundred dollars to test it. Plus, to keep building your business, you can stop doing the mailings yourself and use a mailing house to get you bulk-mail rates and volume-based discounts.
If you want to try a postcard mailing to test your art market, these are the basic steps:


• Write some strong marketing copy for your postcard.
Most important is to have a powerful headline that offers a desirable benefit. In the body copy, support the claim made in your headline, and then close with information on exactly how you can be reached. (For a local business, providing a phone number is usually best.)

Don't clutter up the postcard with too much copy. Four or five bullet points stating the most important benefits of purchasing your art or service is plenty. Most of the time, you shouldn't have more than 100 words on your postcard.

• Format the copy so it looks good.
Either use an inexpensive software program to do it yourself or hire a graphic artist. Any office supply store will have several programs for under $50 that can help you design a postcard that looks professional. Once you have it designed, save it as a PDF or Word file. Then you and someone you trust should proofread it carefully - several times, because it's easy to miss minor typos.

• Hire a printer.

As long as you live in a well populated place, you won't have any trouble finding plenty of options for printing, though you'll probably want to use a place like Kinko's or Office Depot that specializes in small printing jobs. It's good to shop around a little, because prices can vary greatly.

It's customary to make a deposit when you place the order and pay the balance when you pick it up. Since the printer doesn't make a profit until you pay in full, you're unlikely to have any problem getting your job done quickly.

Before the postcards are printed, make sure you review a proof of the final copy to make sure they're going to look exactly the way you want them to look.

• Drop your postcards in the mail.

Keep in mind that the reason you're doing it yourself is because you want to do a very inexpensive test of your business idea. Once you know it works, you'll be able to hire someone else to take care of the stamping and labeling so you can spend your time painting.

A postcard campaign can be a very effective and low-cost way to sell paintings. With only a few hundred dollars at risk, almost anyone can afford to test the waters.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Wood Farm
Evinston Florida

12x16 inches
oil on panel
Work In Progress

See my paintings HERE

Art Note Blog HERE


Open Studio Class

It's time for my monthly Open Studio Class.
Sunday, October 4,2007
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Studio Fee: 20.00

Directions are on my web site on the contact page.


Painters Tip

More on plein air

The first thing to do when you are set up and ready to paint is to think about what attracted you to the scene in the first place. That is what you must capture. Is it the color, the subject, the composition? Think about what you might do to improve the composition. My number one advice is that you must remember that the viewer of your painting will not be there with you to see what you see. Your job is to create a wonderful painting, not to copy nature. It is often wise to move elements around in the painting and to leave thing out. Compositions should be simple but effectively designed to keep the viewer in the painting as long as possible.

Whether you are an expressionist like me or a more traditional painter, there are some absolutes in painting for all of us. A clear direction of light, cast shadows where they belong, color harmony, good value structure and a pleasing composition will take you a long way toward success.

I strongly recommend that you take 5 minutes to do a quick pencil sketch of the scene, working out the difficulties on paper before you start to paint. It may save you frustration and heart ache.

I also often do a series of miniature paintings on one sheet of index paper to play with color and composition. It takes about 5 minutes to do each one. They make great references for future paintings too.






Remember that painting on loction is not like studio painting. Take the time to aclimatize yourself before you begin.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Orange Sky
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
acrylic on index paper
matted to 4x6 inches
unframed
10.00

Purchase at EBAY

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

More on plein air

You have your equipment purchased, your portable studio in the car and the parts and pieces you need for painting. Now what?

It's important to think about safety, especially for women. I've been painting out on location alone for at least 17 years. I travel all over the South, especially in Florida Georgia and Alabama painting. Knock on wood, I've never had any kind of incident. I am careful though. Whenever possible I paint in state, county,city parks,botanial gardens, college campuses,libraries, privately owned farms,beaches and city streets where there are lots of people around. I never go down isolated roads or to places where I can't be seen from the highway or "people places".

I always have a cell phone wih me and I tell someone I know where I will be painting or in the general area where I am going. I keep my phone on me and my keys on me so that I can reach for them right away. Keys can make a formidable weapon. I don't go very far from my car when I am alone unless I am on private land.

It is also a good idea to have pepper spray, or your dog with you if you are painting locally.

When you pull into a parking area, check it out thoroughly before you get out of the car. If you see someone who looks suspicious, find a new place to paint or wait until they leave before getting out of the car. If the place just doesn't feel right to you, drive way. I don't care how great a location it is, better to be smart than sorry.

I'm not trying to scare anyone here. I just want you to make smart choices if you are painting alone as I do.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

North Florida Palms
14x18 inches
oil on panel
gold frame
1000.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE



Painters Tip


Keeping an outdoor studio in your car is very convenient and pretty easy. I have a sturdy cardboard box or metal basket for supplies, and my rolling file cart to hold my pochade boxes. I keep the following in my supply box:

Both acrylic and oil paints which are my backup and extra colors that I don't always use, but sometime need.

All solvents and mediums. I use a few layers of insulation on these to keep them from getting too hot. Since I don't paint on location often in the summer, it's not too much of a problem.

Bottled water for acrylics and for drinking.

duct tape, bungie cords and masking tape. Duct tape fixes most breaks in equipment and masking tape or bungies will tie down a palette and canvas in the wind. It will also do in a pinch if you need a straight edge.

short metal and plastic ruler

small plastic tarp

a pair of dry socks

bug juice,sunscreen

snack food

extra paint brushes

paper towels

painter hat

a concrete weight or gallon jug filled for weight.

Fold up garden bench to sit on occasionally

wet wipes

I keep paints brushes towels and painting panels in my paint boxes too.

By having the studio set up this way, I can simply walk out the door and get in the car ready to go. It sure makes painting easier. It takes a bit of time and work initially, but once you have it all together, it is simple to replace a few items as they run out. Be sure to check your supplies periodically. You will need to have something to transport wet oil paintings. You can purchase very nice wood boxes, plastic caardboard boxes or use pizza boxes. They all work fine.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Dusk Palms
5x7 inches
oil on panel
wood frame
100.00

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


Being organized will help you with plein air painting. Over the years I have had just about every brand of French easel, pochade box, and gizmo you can imagine. It is important to decide early on what sort of set up suits your personality and your physical needs. I have severe RA and so it is very important for me to go light on equipment and materials when I'm in the field. The less I have to drag around with me the better.

I am a minimalist by nature anyway. I hate fussing around with a lot of stuff. One of my friends is just the opposite. When we travel together it drives us both crazy. I have one bag of luggage and she has three. I have a pochade box, a tripod and a bottle of water. She has this whole get up with back pack rolling cart with a seat, and extra bag too.

It's important to figure out what sort of comfort zone you have regarding the amount of equipment and supplies you will need. Once you know whether you need to carry your entire studio with you or whether you need 8 tubes of paint and a bottle of water, you can make an intelligent selection on equipment.

If you are a minimalist you will either want to choose a half box French easel or a pochade box and tripod. The advantage of the half box easel is that it will hold large format canvases. The disadvantage is that it is clumsy to set up and no French easel ever lasts more than a year for me, including the Julian. The hardware falls off and the legs break eventually. However, they do make great table top easels, once the legs are broken.

There are a huge variety in the boxes too, some require extra baggage for supplies, others are self contained. I like the Judson Guerrilla box the best. It has always been my favorite because it is self contained and extremely well built. It also comes in multiple sizes so you can have one for each format if you like. Of course the Open Box M is the Mercedes of boxes, but I don't like it because it is good only for the actual palette and panel you are using. You still need to have other stuff with you for your supplies. Too many parts and pieces for my taste. It is really finely made and very expensive, but for me, that is overkill and a waste. My boxes get thrown all over the place and are covered with paint. I'm not interested in fine furniture, just a solid well made box which can take my abuse. The Guerrilla box delivers. I have had one for many years. It looks like crap but is still as solid as can be. If you go the route of a pochade box, invest in a top line tripod. You need the stability.

If you need to move your studio outside, the options increase to full box easels, Easy L boxes, The hideous metal French easels which fold up like a flat suit case, and other field easels. Even Stanrite studio easels will work. You can bring out all kinds of tote bags, fancy seats, rolling carts etc. If you want to paint in comfort. I use two different carts. My favorite is a file box on wheels with a collapsible handle. Light weight and big enough to carry everything I need. My other cart is large and tall to carry a lot of equipment if I will be going out for long periods away from the car.

More on plein air tomorrow.....

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Washingtonian Palms
8x10 inches
oil on panel
gold frame
500.00

Purchase HERE



Painters Tip


It is plein air season again here in Florida. The dreade heat and humidity is on the wane, so I thought it would be good to go over some tips for those of you who are starting out.

The above painting was done on location yesterday. In fact it was a very complex subject with a lot of foliage and textures. When you work on location it become very important to focus on the major elements and to leave out what is ancillary. Just get to the meat of your subject and don't go off on tangents. The KISS rule definitly applies here.

Decide how much time you have to devote to your session and pack appropriately. If you are only going out for two or three hours, my usual preference, only take what you will actually use. One canvas, a few paints, a hat, sunscreen, bug juice, water, a tripod and box or French easel, paper towels, trash bag. You don't need to haul around massive amounts of supplies and equipment. Remember that you will be tired when you are through and all of that stuff will seem overwhelming. I keep all of my supplies in the trunk of my car so that I don't have to haul all of it arond. I keep a working studio in my car and in the house so that I don't have to constantly pack and unpack equipment. They are two separate studios.

more on plein air painting tomorrow...