Choosing a Great Reference Photo

Howdy friends! Remember last week I shared the whole portrait commissioning/ drawing process video that I'd been working on for my custom portrait website? Well today I am sharing another piece of that easy commissioning process - 'Choosing a Great Reference Photo' - Yay!

The most important thing about having a custom piece of artwork created for a client is that the process should be super simple and really exciting for them so anything I can do to reach those goals is key!

So here's a little teaser of my fancy shmancy new step-by-step guide to choosing an excellent reference photo. Click the pic (or right here) to see all the details.

Keep reading....

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I would love any feedback on my site improvements! Does this speak to you in a clear, understandable, and friendly way? Any spots where you need to call the grammar police? ;)

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originally published April 1, 2018

Preparing for Your Art Opening :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Alrighty as the big day gets closer and closer there are a number of things that need to be done to prepare the gallery for opening night. Each space and exhibition is a new experience so you may do things a bit differently than I do in this vid, but I cover the major steps that should be done to prep pretty much any space. And don't forget, there are always some last minute hiccups to attend to, so make sure to give yourself some extra time. 

I'll walk you through fixing up the gallery, hanging your artwork, and all the necessary signage you'll need to create for your show. Yay!! Bursting with excitement for the big opening!!

Make sure to catch the other three vids in this series to slay that art show!

How to Create an Art Show Flyer

How to Frame Paintings Inexpensively

How to Host a Great Opening Night

3.14.2018

How to Frame Your Paintings Inexpensively :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Aloha and Welcome to Part Two of my video series on 'Putting on an Art Show on a Budget'! Today I am showing you how easy and inexpensive it is to frame your paintings using slat boards found in the lumber department of your local home improvement store. 

Now for this video you will see me using my super kickass miter saw and electric sander. You don't have to use either of these to make frames; a steady hand with a hacksaw will work along with a lil extra elbow grease for sanding. However if you are interested in playing with power tools ('cause who isn't?!), I'm sure you can score some for less than you think. I bought my miter saw, blade included, on Craigslist for $75 and the sander from Ebay for $40, which to me are small investments considering you could easily spend $150 getting just one painting professionally framed.

As far as the other materials go, the slat boards are between $1.50 - $3 depending on length and the spackle, black paint, 2" paint brush, wood glue, tack nails, painters tape and fine grit sandpaper can be purchased for around $50. All in all (not including the power tools which I already owned) I spent about $110 to frame 12 paintings which is like HELL YEAH!!!! 

So tune in to see it all come together in the most delightful way (as Mary Poppins would say)!!

Materials:

Part One + Three:

• Pliers

• Hammer

• Tack nails

• Saw (hand or miter)

• Sander (hand or electric) 80-120 grit

• 220 grit sandpaper

• 1/4" x 2" slat Boards

• (spray) paint for
  inner Wall

• Wood Glue

• Paper Towels

• Pencil

 

Part Two:

• Scissors

• Painter's Tape

• Parchment Paper

Part Four:

• Size 8-10 flat artist paintbrush

• Damp sponge or towel

• Sander/ Sandpaper 120 + 220 grit

• Spackle

• Spreader card

• Paint

• 2 inch paintbrush

A little sneak peek of my artwork hung up for the big night. More pics here

Let me know how your framing went! I chose to use black paint for mine, but I recently saw another artist use this method without the spackle and using a wood stain instead. The possibilities are endless:) Tune in next week for my video about setting up and proper signage for your art show. Yaay!

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originally published March 7, 2018

Creating a Flyer :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Okee dokee artsy friends, here is Part One of my series Putting on an Art Show on a Budget :: How to create a great flyer. This is so  super duper essential for inviting people.

You absolutely positively must have something to hand folks as you promote your show. If you try to just tell people to remember or give them your website card to look it up you will wind up with one empty art opening. But have no fear, you too can create a super stylish yet simple flyer using this easy free program Canva just like me. Yay!

Let me walk you through all the steps to make a noteworthy flyer for your successful event!

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originally published February 21, 2018

'Morning Dew' Figure Painting Demo - Timelapse + Technique

Aloha from the sunniest studio around! I have been having so much fun playing with light and shadows for this next series of oil paintings - this reference image even came from the early morning sunlight beaming through my outdoor bathroom.

Hence the warm shadows and cool highlights in this piece - a wild reversal!

Today's video features a timelapse of the painting process of 'Morning Dew' along with a voiceover by yours truly where I discuss various techniques I use and some color mixing tips. Hopefully you find it helpful as well as enjoyable to watch. Pop me a comment and tell me whatcha think - more like this? How about real time vids with technique discussion? 

But this painting is not over yet, friend! I am going to be bringing a bit of flora and a dash of magic to this piece..... just you wait ;) 

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originally published January 24, 2018

Mixing Caucasian Skin Tones in Oil

Hiya fellow artistas! Today's vid is kind of a double whammy because you get a sneak peek of my latest artistic venture as well as a very informative lesson (uh..... not to mention, BOOTY!). What can I say, I wanna start 2018 off with a bang:)

I go into detail on my palette and mixes and then do a little demo showing how even after I mix my skin tones I continue to accentuate certain areas of the figure with warm or cool tones as needed. Hope you learn a lil something! And if you do, a 'Subscribe' on my channel would be fantastic! 

Here's how I start my palette:

And here's a tiny sample of my reference photo (you'll just have to wait 'n see why I'm only sharing a tiny piece of it [squeeee!]:

Enjoy the show!!

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originally published January 2, 2018

Portrait Drawing Timelapse :: Sunshine

Aloha friends! Today I am bringing you my very first video from inside my new art studio - woo hoo! My little bungalow has such lovely natural lighting and I'm looking forward to so many more videos to come... Yay!

I am drawing 'Sunshine' timelapse-style for you, plus I got some really cool French-inspired music for this vid too. You can see Sunshine in real life through her IG @sunshine_iino and make sure you visit mine @caleighbirdart while you're there too :)

PS If you're about to go on freak-out mode looking for the perfect last minute gift I have Gift Gertificates for my custom pencil portraits here 

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originally published December 19, 2017

How to Clean Oil Brushes Safely

Cleaning your oil brushes properly will help even the least expensive brushes last for years, and it only takes a few minutes. Grab some solvent, soap, warm water and a dish glove and let's get started!

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originally published December 12, 2017

The Best Pencils for Portrait Drawing

Well, sometimes the title really says it all... this is a roundup of my very most favorite and totally essential pencils for drawing my trademark custom pencil portraits. It's actually not a very big collection, which is great because minimalism makes life so much easier. 

I use a small variety of regular graphite pencils, woodless pencils and a white conte pencil for the highlights on my favorite smooth Strathmore toned paper. 

Happy Drawing!

And here is lovely 'Danae' who I used as my drawing demo muse today. She's a really cool radio host and and YouTuber and can be found living life to the fullest at @duhhnay_

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originally published November 28, 2017

Best Brushes for Oil Portrait Painting

Aloha friends! Today I'm bringing you my favorite oil painting brushes. I've done a lot of trial and error throughout the years and I would love to share with you the very best types I have found for painting in a realistic style, especially for portraits and figures.

Luckily for you, me, and all the other starving artists out there, I've found that when it comes to paintbrushes, it's less about the brand of brush, and more about the shape and style. You definitely do not have to break the bank in order to get great brushes. Yay! 

If you're curious about blending oil paints check out this recent post. 

To learn a bit about my very favorite paint, M Graham & Co look here. (And no, I'm not sponsored by them..... yet.... I hope to be soon though. I'm totally trying to work up the nerve to approach them about an affiliate program because I love their oil paints so flippin' much. Fingers crossed!)

Whatcha think? Is this advice nice 'n clear?

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originally published October 31, 2017