Art Marketing Tips

[artistjillian]

Hopefully passing on some marketing ideas for art. Some ideas might be new. Others might cause you just think.. . Oh yes, that's right. I DO need to do that!

[artistjillian]

We talk atbout this from time to time in the threads. If you search on COA in 'search discussions' you should find them. This is the busy time of the year, and most people are too busy to email, and find the files on their computers to attach and sent. I have my sample in the photo albums, and others might have samples there, too. I do mine on a 4x6" index card. Some do them the same size as ACEOs, either separate, or as backs on the cards. From time to time, people offer for sale pre-printed COAs for ACEOs, and often there are rubber stamps featuring COAs for sale in the rubber stamp category on ebay. Here's mine for you ...

[artistjillian]

I sign them twice. Once where it says to sign. Second time is across the image, partially on, partially off. ~Jillian

[skymccready]

I sign mine and date them in gold oil and I put my finger print with my initials on them. If that's not authentic enough I don't know what is. skyM

[madame.b.wishful]

Recently I started to "Title" my art pieces. I have found that to be a good marketing strategy as well as to include a brief explanation of what the painting is about. My Moon painting seems to be doing well...I think those 2 things (plus its up for charity) are helpful. Laura

[artistjillian]

Yes, I always title them, and give a short story behind them. If you show you care about your art by doing such caring details and treat them like the treasures they are, then your buyers will believe in you and your work and treat them like treasures, too. How many of you have not named your children? Many of us have named them before we even gave birth to them. I have named some of my paintings before I started them or finished them. 🙂

[debcoart]

Naming artwork has always been difficult for me........ Here is a link to a Powerselling artist, Susan Greaves, on eBay that has some marketing info for sale. I heard her in a teleconference this week talking about selling art on eBay. http://www.susanfgreaves.com/especially_for_artists.htm

[artistjillian]

:) Thanks Deb. I have belonged to her yahoo groups for years. Super artist. It's very inspirational to see someone who works it all so well. Thanks for sharing that. ~Jillian

[sunshinesketches]

Sometimes a title is busting out of my head long before I even put pencil to paper. The odd time, I'll have a concept I like but can't get the title to work. But I ALWAYS have a story behind what is going on in the picture (that was my favourite creative writing exercise when I was a kidlet in school). If I can't think of a good title, I discuss it with my husband. Occasionally he comes up with bizarre stuff, other times it's positively genius. I think it's great to bounce ideas off a "creative director."

[jayhawk59]

Thanks so much for your quick response, Jillian. And your Certificate of Authencity looks great. I think ACEO size would work for me... a lot of my art is sports orientated, and goes into a 9 pocket sports card page. It would seem kinda neat to put the COA on the other side. NEW TOPIC- I'm trying my luck with acrylics, but don't have much of a clue. The "gesso" thing baffles me for now... anyone know the best way to apply it. The other thing is doing "washes"... what's that about? Thanks a ton, Jillian. And thanks to all my group members for their help. Oh, and Happy Holidays to all! Jay J. Kinney 🙂

[jayhawk59]

One more thing... what exactly are "threads". Where are they and what is their purpose? Thanks. Jay J. Kinney

[artistjillian]

'threads' is a short term for 'discussion threads' so it is just the discussion topics on here. 🙂

[artistjillian]

I think most do gesso as a base for painting on absorbent surfaces, to stop the absorbency, or to give a better surface to paint on (like with maisonite) I believe most use brushes or sponges to apply it (I'm lazy. I buy pre-gesso'd stuff). Then many sandpaper it. Some sandpaper to gossamer smoothness. There are probably members here much more versed in this than me. ~Jillian

[artistjillian]

Oh, you asked about 'washes' too. Pen and wash is a technique - rather more British, than USA. It's watercolor usually used very lightly with little color and a painting painted, then gone over using ink pen to pick up the details. Almost they are like one would not make a final painting without the use of the other medium. In watercolor a 'wash' is a broad expanse of color - like in a sky or background. Usually it is applied with paper on a board/table set at an angle (like about 45 degrees). You mix a large quantity of paint with a lot of water - so it's like colored water. A big broad brush. You start at the top, going across the paper in a single sweep - gravity will tend to bring excess water/paint to the lower level. The second sweep, under the first usually picks up some of the 'pooled' water/paint at the bottom of the first sweep - this is repeated as many times as necessary to accomplish what effect is wanted. (You are 'washing' the paper with water/paint.) This can be quite a task with skies where color is graduated or fades off. But it's fun to do, and results can be stunning. ~Jillian

[debcoart]

Rob....I finally got your last recommendations applied! Do you have any other hot pointers??? :):):)

[skymccready]

I'm going to start a Two4Tuesday sale! Hopefully, folks will see something they will like and buy it, even if it's with something that they wouldn't normally purchase. Could possibly open up another collection for them (winking guy here)If not, the other one they could always give it to a friend or possibly keep a table from wobbling with it. We'll see how this goes :) skyM