4 Great Reasons You Should Start an Art Blog

If you saw my video last time about the 11 essential things every artist website should have, I had to cut myself off from going on a tangent discussing why every artist should have a simple blog on their website in order to make that video concise. However I made some really good points in my lil diatribe, which I felt merited its own video, so here you go today!

Even if you don’t think this could possible apply to you (or even if you’re scared that it might and don’t want the “extra work load”) I urge to strongly considered even just blogging once every other month. I promise, it get’s easier over time and you will be so glad you did.

4 Reasons to Start an Artist Blog:

1. It let's the algorithm know your website is active

2. Visitors to your website will see that you are active and current

3. Potential clients or curators will know you are actively working and open for business/art opportunities

   3b. Potential clients + curators can learn more about you which will *hopefully* make them more devoted to your work

4. It's like a personal journal of your own artistic journey that you’ll be grateful you made

So don’t be shy! Get started today!

3.20.2022

'Hand Workshop' Progress

I’m excited to share a little progress on probably the most detailed workshop I’ve created to date! This is an super thorough examinations of how the hand is structured, how tendons affect movement, how to draw details like wrinkles and fingernails, and then finally how to shade and render it.

I’ll have around a dozen step-by-step drawing examples of the entire process as well as lots of copyright free photographs that anyone can use for any project.

So make sure you stick around and stay tuned because I’m not sure when exactly this will be published, but I’m hoping in three weeks or less! I’ll have the first part on my YouTube channel and the rest will be available for download on my website or to experience on Skillshare.

Can’t wait to drop some real knowledge on you!

7.9.2020

Woo hoo! I’m Teaching on Skillshare!

Yay! I’m now posting detailed technique tutorials on Skillshare and you can watch them for free!

It’s actually a total coincidence that I’m getting on it right as the shizzz is going down bc it’s been on my To Do list for a few months now and I started creating my first course weeks ago but, ahem, got a little sidetracked with.. um yeah, ya know.

But the good news is with posting my ‘How to Paint a Bird of Paradise Flower’ course I get my own shareable link for TWO FREE MONTHS of classes!

There are literally tens of thousands of courses to choose from from art to business to learning computer programs to graphic design. Nobody’s going anywhere for a while so why not learn some new skills for free?

So pop through my special link and go learn something new! Yay!

3.18.2020

How to Draw a Portrait :: Front, Side , 3/4 View

Yaay!! The final piece of the 'Drawing Portraits Realistically' series is here for you friends, ‘Placing the Features Correctly on the Head.’

Whew it has been quite a ride and I hope you’ve learned a ton!

During a few of the weeks I was filming these tutorials for YouTube I was actually fortunate enough to teach this entire series as part of a ‘How to Draw Portraits from Photographs’ workshop in person to a small class. I asked the attendees for feedback and heard and saw great results.

I even got photos of two final portrait drawings from ladies who said they had never drawn portraits before. I’m so floored and excited to see such amazing results from my first time teaching this particular lesson!

And if you didn't catch the rest of the series grab a bowl of popcorn and your sketchbook and get comfy 'cause I'm 'bout to drop that knowledge bomb on ya!

How to Draw a Nose

How to Draw Lips

How to Draw Eyes

How to Draw Ears

2.14.2020

How to Draw Ears

Woo hoo we are doing this people!

Welcome to Part 4 of my Drawing Portraits Realistically series, How to Draw Ears. And as with all the features in this series, I'm showing you from the front, the side, and three quarter view.

If you didn't catch How to Draw a Nose or How to Draw Lips or How to Draw Eyes check those out and make sure you pop that Subscribe button because I still have how to place things properly on the head coming in the next two weeks, which you definitely do not want to miss.

Enjoy and tag me on Insta if you're practicing! @caleighbirdart

1.31.2020

How to Write a Newsletter

Today we are going to tackle a task that every serious artist should be doing on a regular basis: writing a newsletter. I know it’s easy to think that social media posting is enough and is the best way to connect with your online audience, but it’s only half the battle.

Tune in to see why it is soooo essential for any pro artist to put out a regular newsletter, and then learn a super simple formula for engaging your readers every time. A good newsletter is like a fun lil present in your audience’s inbox so don’t look at this as bullet points of your finished ‘to do’ list, try to figure out how to make it an exciting lil story of your recent artsy adventures.

Check out this newsletter here and sign up to receive mine every month here!

Choose 2-3 Exciting/Interesting Topics

• New piece of art or product

• New venture in your art biz (ie, teaching, new social media platform, new service offered, upcoming exhibition or collaboration)

• Recent achievements

• Recent difficulties

• Recent adventures (that fit in with your audience)

The Details…

• Expand each topic into 1-3 concise paragraphs and include photos and links as needed

• Break things up into bite-sized chinks to make it easy for your audience to read and digest

• Don’t make too long/ too long winded or they won’t read next time

• Include a CTA (call to action)

• Include a PS

Tips

• Be real! Be yourself and upbeat

• Use a friendly conversational tone in 1st person

• Turn any shared difficulties into a positive learning/teaching moment

• Offer exclusive content

• Occasionally offer an exclusive deal or sale

• Include clear pics of you in action or at work on a project

• Use consistent branding throughout (more branding info here)

• Have website and other pertinent info in your footer

• If you can, gather locations of subscribers so you can tailor email blasts to them about upcoming local shows or events

I use Mailchimp for my email service, but Mad Mimi and Squarespace also offer newsletter platforms as well.

It’s as easy as that folks! And if you ever need help with your own small art biz, just fill out this quick application to see if we’d be a goof fit for a little one-on-one art mentoring via webcam.

And here’s last week’s vid all about branding and looking like a pro.

8.9.2019

How to Paint Sheer Fabric + Lace in Oil

Painting sheer fabric and lace in oil (or acrylic) takes a tender touch for sure, but with a little patience, love, and understanding of the fabric, getting a bright rendition should not be too difficult.

Here are the paints and brushes I use in the demo. Any purchases through my link helps to support this channel. Thank you!

Round Size 2

http://bit.ly/2VQj1Ga

Fine Liner

https://bit.ly/2vyJ9eh

Angled Chisel Blender

http://bit.ly/2WUEZx0

Titanium White

http://bit.ly/2HCSZCw

If you'd like to know how to paint gold jewelry that really shines check out this vid.

… As well as how to improve your drawings (for painting):

6.21.2019

Capturing the Light :: Real Time Figure Drawing Demo

Today I've got a real time figure drawing demo + tutorial using chalk pastel in my favorite homemade sketchbook. I've been drawing a few figures as speed demos for you in the last few months, but to really discuss how I try to capture the light I wanted to invite you to my easel while I'm actually creating the piece for a change.

Capturing the light is the most essential thing we can do as artists. It helps make our subjects pop and come to life while adding depth and perspective to our compositions. Learning how to see and express a variety of tones will create realistic forms and figures with even the most simple methods of rendering.

This is a technique that has taken me a number of years to feel successful at so think if this as more of an intermediate to advanced tutorial, however I think less experienced artists can still take away a lot from this video.

Details about the materials I use to create my figure drawings:

https://youtu.be/qUcnWwKL59g

If you would like more info on getting your own handmade-with-love toned (or white) paper sketchbook pop over here to get in on this current sketchbook release happening until May 4th!

Image Source: Croquet Cafe

4.26.2019

How to Make Art Prints

Making art prints using free software is super simple, and you can create any size imaginable to either print at home or send to a professional print shop.

This method will walk you through how to edit the clear photograph I showed you how to take last week using natural lighting (see it here if you missed it) and then format the image for high dpi printing and to include a white border of any size.

I'm using a Windows PC for this tutorial so the photo editing is done on the free software that comes with it. You can use any program you like for that step though. The second part uses paint.net, a free program you can download here, to increase the print quality and create the white border.

3.29.2019

How to Resin Layer within Artwork

Using acrylic resin layers within your art can be a bit scary and daunting, but it is actually a very simple process. Today I have a step by step tutorial detailing the way I create my 3D paintings, including tips on how to make sure your resin pour is a success.

I've also included a painting I accidentally destroyed using resin which was so sad! But at least I can use it as a teaching tool to show you what NOT to do when layering your own paintings.

There are a number of good brands of resin out there, just make sure you purchase one that is artist grade and will dry crystal clear without turning yellow eventually. This is where I got the kind featured in this video.

As long as you follow the instructions closely you should have no problem creating incredible 3D works of art. Happy Pouring!

You Will Need:

• paper towels

• plastic mixing cup

• stir stick

• dust cover

• acrylic resin

• glue (for adding in objects)

• level

• heat gun

• tweezers

…And a bit of patience!

Before pouring resin on any painting I highly recommend varnishing it. I did three coats with a day to dry in between. Then you also need to give each resin layer 24 hours to cure completely too. It’s not a fast process, but it is very rewarding. I tend to work on 4-5 paintings at once to help make it more worthwhile.

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originally published January 31, 2019