Top Tips for Selling Art Online

In case you inquire further, lots of painters can tell you that one of the most important issues they struggle with is learning to promote themselves and reaching new markets. The traditional gallery option is certainly not an easy one - an artist has to establish and retain connections with gallery managers who can exert a lot of influence. Nonetheless, quite a few galleries are confirming a decline in sales owing to the competition from web sales, and this is not a development which is very likely to disappear anytime soon.

The art buying public is increasingly 'time-poor', and so online sales are a natural progression. As a necessary evil, traditional brick and mortar galleries have a limited amount of space on their walls for displaying works of art. In contrast even the smallest and simplest website can easily host thousands of images and pieces of art, making it easier than ever for potential buyers to browse to their heart's content. This also means that buyers no longer need to deal with persistent gallery owners and sales people out to make a commission off of every sale. Instead they can look at as many pieces as they like over a relaxing cup of coffee!

Many artists have their own websites where they sell art online. Most of them start off on this venture with an attitude of "If I build it, they will come" and unfortunately this is not quite the way this business works. Helping potential customers find your website can be quite the challenge, but fortunately marketing yourself online is something that you can learn how to do. Making your personal website stand out amongst the crowd of millions of other websites on the internet is a tall order and not something that many people want to try to do because it can be difficult and time-consuming. Since many art buyers don't have the time or the inclination to try to look through dozens of personal portfolios and websites, you might be wondering how exactly you can sell art online and find an interested buyer?

Over the last few years a lot of online galleries and artist portals have appeared, and they have been enormously successful in helping people to sell art online that they have created.. While some are set up to charge a commission like many traditional on the ground galleries, others are funded by membership fees or a flat rate per sale. There is a huge variety of sales models, but with each comes a different degree of quality control, another major concern for artists and buyers alike.

A primary consideration for an artist who wants to sell art online is the quality of other work for sale on the site you want to join. Some sites have no selection or screening process at all which means anyone in the world can call themselves an artist, and this is not necessarily the kind of visibility to you want if you are going to be a serious artist and make a career in the industry. Without a solid submission or selection process, many sites quickly get overwhelmed with pieces of work and it can become difficult for buyers to browse the site to find quality pieces.

So what are the other options? There are a number of options available to those artists and buyers seeking a refreshing new experience with an online art gallery. Few galleries, like ours, are unique because they allow buyers to interact directly with artists and charges 0% commission on sales made through their websites. The prospect of saving as much as 50% - 60% on the purchase of a piece of art is a very attractive one to buyers looking for that perfect price for their home or office. many buyers dislike having to pay steep commissions to traditional on the ground galleries, and online galleries are leading the pack in creating a new trend in the art market.

A cautionary reminder for artists who want to sell art online; be careful of where and how you market your work. The old saying that 'the message is the medium' is very true in this situation. Of course you want to generate visibility for your work and attract potential buyers, just take care to ensure that it is the right kind of visibility. Pay attention to the details as you research ways to market yourself effectively, and look at sites where you might consider hosting your work. We hope you found this article useful. Read More...

Top 10 Most Famous Artists in History

No two people will agree on the top ten most famous and influential artists, since every person has his or her own view of what type of painting is the most articulate. Every art lover sees each painting in their own way, so that any list is purely subjective. Here is a compilation that will cover some of the most famous artists:

1. Pablo Picasso is widely accepted as the most influential artist of his time, with a unique style and an ambitious attitude. It is widely believed that he surpassed the masters who came before him, and he defined the concept of art as it would be known.

2. The "Mona Lisa" secured Leonardo da Vinci as the creator of the painting that is more well-known than any other. Others have often attempted to imitate his style and stroke, with no success. He was an artist and a humanist.

3. Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous names in any study of art. He suffered a great deal in his life, and his paintings reflect the pain with their personal look. He was a great influence on the painters of the twentieth century.

4. Claude Monet has sometimes been overlooked by art lovers, who see simple beauty but little else in his works. His work showed complex technique but he wanted the works only to be loved and not necessarily understood.

5. Michelangelo Buonarroti actually thought of himself as a sculptor, although he was among the top artists of all time. He will forever be known by his painting in the Sistine Chapel, and that work alone deems that he is included in any top ten artist list.

6. Rembrandt van Rijn used shadows and light to express a lot of his own personal experiences. He was one of the main faces of European painting in the 17th century. He painted one of the most remarkable self-portraits.

7. Jackson Pollock is a very modern artist in this group of older masters. He was the main artist in American Abstract works, and his "drip" paintings are said to be truly emblematic of his most popular style.

8. Henri Matisse stands behind only Picasso as the master of 20th century painting. He used a purity in color in many of his works, and it is believed to have influenced many artists who came after him.

9. Paul Cezanne was called "the father of us all" by either Matisse or Picasso (it has been, over time, attributed to both of them). He painted during the same time span as Impressionist artists, but he left them behind and developed an entirely new painting style that had never been seen before.

10. Paul Gauguin is quite a fascinating artist, as they all tended to be, to one degree or another. He began with works of Impressionism, but he soon abandoned that for vigorous and colorful works, like his Polynesian paintings. If you are an art aficionado, you would never be able to understand Fauvism and Matisse without first understanding Gauguin's works.

This top 10 list of famous artists as stated before is subjective as many fine masters could also be included in this list. Write down your own list and see how it compares. Read More...

Modern Canvas Art

A piece of 'modern' canvas art is a painting that pertains to a certain category that generally uses structured lines, geometric designs and color variations on canvas to create art. Typically, there are no standard colors or a standard color palate that is used in modern canvas art, which is actually one of the defining characteristic of the genre. Modern canvas art is incredibly flexible both in substance and in style and can make a bold statement or a more subtle one, depending on the artist's intention.

Hand-Painted Canvas Art Vs. Giclee Canvas.

The essential difference between a Giclee canvas work and an original is that a Giclee is a print created on an ink-jet or IRIS printer. They are generally less expensive than an original, but lack the quality texture and feeling of a hand-painted work of modern art. Canvas comes in a variety of textures that can add to any work created on it. When regarding almost any piece of modern art, the color, feeling and design is always crucial. For a piece of modern canvas art to be truly breathtaking, it must be both simple in design, yet project an air of quality and elegance. A print, whether on paper or canvas will simply not be able to achieve the same level of quality. The best part is that acquiring a quality piece of original modern art does not have to be incredibly expensive. Currently there is a huge range of artists out there that will re-create a popular painting of theirs several times. A great original piece of modern canvas art can range in price from $100-$3000, so there is something for every price range. Occasionally you will even find that diamond in the rough...an up and coming artist with impeccable talent and taste who is selling their first painting at an inexpensive price. If you can develop a relationship with them early, you will be guaranteed a good price later on when their work's price tag increases. For those who are on a tight budget Giclee is a good way to go. It still adds a great deal of style to any room and has no limits (usually) on size and the style or idea that goes on the canvas. Giclee can be cheaper than an original hand-painted art work. There are many places on the web where you can find Giclee reproductions of famous artist works, while the original can be tiresomely hard to locate. Read More...

Top Ten Most Popular Christian Art Prints

Christian Art can encompass a multitude of creations. There is no way to pick the best, however, the following 10 offerings are varied forms of Christian Art. Some of these pieces are quite profound, some are simple others multifaceted - combining the modern with the ancient. This list is only an artistic impression and opinion and a minuscule part of the great collections of Christian Art. The order in which they are given is not necessarily of importance.

The Body of Christ - Danny Hahlbohm
This is an extraordinary rendition of what Christ is. A body composed of the gathering of souls from every walk-of-life are encompassed within one magnificent spirit, portraying the accumulation of souls making up the superlative Body of Christ.

Gethsemane - A Print
A print depicting Christ getting comforted by an Angel, having a significant impact that relates to how Angels hold a significant role in the caring and comforting of souls, no matter what role you play in this life.

Stairway to Heaven - Jim Warren
A modern rendition of an important route to the heavens and what awaits you there. This simplistic piece of art leads you to wonder what exactly is at the top of that beautiful stairway. It's natural beginnings from ocean to sky and the promise of what could be there. Just follow the dove that awaits at the bottom of the stairway.

Footprints
Probably among the most profound Christian pieces of art ever produced. The single trail of footprints portraying person that needs help and is supported by that invisible substantiation though only one set of footprints are visible, and the words that accompany this art speak volumes, it is an extremely positive and popular portrayal of Christian Art.

The Last Supper - Gebhard Fugel
Of all the various paintings of this most famous subject, The Last Supper by Gebhard Fugel, offers an un-glorified rendition, indicating that in fact, glory, gold and richness were not necessarily present when the Last Supper took place.

Noah's Ark - Edward Hicks
This is a superb painting of Noah's Ark. Having been instructed to do so by God Noah built an ark in order to save all the animals. The arc is a realistic size, enough to house the animals as they file in two by two. The more you look the more detail you find and this artist captured the story perfectly.

The Head of God - Michelangelo Buonarroti
Isn't God supposed to be full of strength, enough to carry the Universe? Well, in this painting the strength and power behind the sharp eyes and determined features are depicted perfectly.

The Holy Face - The Volto Santo
This paiting conjures up the sadness and uncertainty of Christ. Crowned with thorns and with pleading eyes and a perplexed frown Christ truly has taken on the sins of the world. his eyes will unquestionably hold your gaze.

Madonna of the Poor - Feruzzi
This could be any time anywhere. A young mother cradling her sleeping baby, a baby that is oblivious to the angry world and sleeps securely within its mothers embrace, not yet aware of the poverty or riches it has been endowed with. Despite the rain the Mother has a definite calmness about her.

Angels, Details of the Sistine Madonna - Raphael
This wonderful portrait of two angels verifies that cherubs are no less mischievous than our own cherubs are. Just trying so hard to look innocent yet, wondering what mischief they can get into next, these two fantastic little angels tell all. Displaying the fact that even artists of the Renaissance had a sense of humour.

These Christian Art choices are simply an artistic opinion about getting away from the normal, very intense and warrior laden pictures depicting Christian Art. There is such a peaceful and spiritual feeling depicted in these paintings. Read More...

How to Paint With Acrylics

Well first of all you are going to have to pick the right kinds of materials such as brushes, paints, stretched canvas etc. You need to buy the right kind of materials and also the best kind of materials. Then you have to buy brushes. Choose brushes that are suitable for acrylic paint, they should be either flat or round. Try buying brushes with natural hair, they will do much better in the long run and they will not leave bristles on the canvas. Look around and see if you can find good bargains in your local art supplier store. Again if you don't know what your art supplier store is, just Google Michael's or Joanne and check out their nearest location to your zip code. If you need inspiration or want to look at some sort of example of acrylic or oil art, check out paintings of flowers, abstract art, landscape and fantasy fineart, etc.

Okay now buy some acrylic paints, you also need to know your color wheel generally well before you start. Just know your basics such as yellow and blue make green etc. and you can figure out the rest by doing. Experimenting with colors will take a while but your results will be great in the end. Use good quality paints so the colors on your artwork will be vibrant. Also choose a good canvas. If you want a good piece or art you should probably try and find a stretched canvas that will maintain its look. You can also learn to stretch your own canvas, but that's a huge hassle so just buy one from the store (they're not that expensive especially if you find a good sale).

Decide what to paint. This is the most important part of the process. Again check out the type of original fine art that you like. For inspiration you can also look at some Contemporary Abstract Art Prints. Find a bright place with natural light. It should be somewhere in the basement or outside, a place that you are willing to get messy in. If not put newspapers on the ground but again my suggestion is using a place that you don't mind getting dirty because accidents always happen. Also get a palette or a paper plate (the cheaper way) to mix all your colors as you paint. It's much better to mix them on the plate before you put them on the canvas. Sketch basic main parts of the art work you are thinking of creating. Also start with your background first, paint your sky, wood, fields first before you concentrate on the details (back to front technique). Wait a while for those to dry a bit and then begin on the details (acrylic paints dry much faster than oil). In the end make sure you clean your brushes right away! If not the paint will dry and destroy those brushes. Read More...