Painting problems

Have you ever gotten to a point in a painting where you just don't know what to do next? Or have a color that is completely wrong but don't know what color to use? In the past I have spent hours upon hours trying different things to my paintings hoping that I will stumble upon a solution just to end up overworking and ruining the piece. However I have found a quick and easy solution to coming up with solutions.
When you come to a problem in your work simply take a photo of your piece and upload it into photo shop. From there you can experiment with all sorts of colors and even change up you composition. It is a great way to see you painting with fresh eyes. once you have come up with a solution to your painting problem simply print out your new image and use it as a reference. By using this method you will be able to see many different changes without taking the time to make all of them with paint which keeps your piece from being overworked and saves time!

Fun Oil Painting Tip

For some artists there are very few things more intimidating than a white canvas. For your next oil painting try staining the canvas before you begin your painting.

All you will need is:
Any canvas or board that is has been covered with 2-3 layers of gesso, solvent, oil paint of any color, and a rag.

Use any fun color that will compliment your painting(usually light and bright colors turn out the best) mix the paint with your solvent until it is very runny. Next dip your rag in your paint solvent mix and in circular motions rub color on to your canvas until it you have consistent color over your whole canvas. Allow it to dry for one to two days and you will be ready to paint a fun piece that is full of color.

How to Hang

When it comes to getting work into art shows and galleries presentation is extremely important. If your work is prepared to in a professional manner it is much more likely to be selected. The only down side is that professional framing can be costly. Here is a cheap way to make your work look like a million bucks!

What you will need:
Your art work (that is on stretcher bars or a cradle), picture wire (found at any hardware store), eye hole screws(found at any hardware store), hammer and one small nail, and a measuring tape.

Start by measuring the vertical sides of your art work. once you find the length you will make a small mark 1/3 of the way down from the top of your piece on each side. Putting your wire one third of the way down the entire length of your piece is the best way to stabilize while avoiding having the wire show out the top. Once you have marked the back of your work take the hammer and small nail and lightly tap the nail into your mark just enough to make a starting hole for the eye hole screw. Next you will screw in the eye hole screws ( one on each side). Then take your wire and measure from screw to screw adding 2 to 3 inches on each side, then cut the wire. Next string the wire through the eye holes leaving equal amounts of excess wire on both sides. Then pull the wire so that it is tight but leaves enough slack so that it can hang on a nail or pin. Wrap the excess wire around the wire that goes across the piece.
There you have it. Professional, quick, and cheap!

Gesso in a Jiffy

Do you have a big canvas? Or even a small canvas and not a lot of time to prep it? this is a simple, fast, and clean way to gesso your canvas or board.

Supplies:
-paint roller (found in the house painting section of most hardware stores)
-Gesso in a squeeze bottle
-Zip-lock bag

Depending on the type of gesso you have yo may need to combine it with a little of water in the squeeze bottle. Once you have gesso with a good consistency simply squirt desired amount on to canvas and use paint roller to spread the gesso. Let dry and repeat 1-2 more times. Once you are finished simply put your roller into the zip-lock bag and store in the refrigerator. There you have it.. Simple and mess free!

Healthy Solvent

For all you oil painters this is a great substitute for paint thinners and it is not as dangerous as the thinners such as terponiod that put off harmful fumes. In a glass jar mix equal parts of linseed oil and orderless solvent ( both can be found at local art stores such as Utrecht). Though it doesn't dry your paint as fast it will keep harmful fumes from your studio.

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Cool Trick For Watercolor Paintings

What you will need:
- A wet watercolor painting
- any type of salt

This is a really easy way to get a cool effect on any water color painting. When Your artwork is still wet or damp place salt anywhere that you want the color to be absorbed(Note that the bigger the salt grain is the more it will soak up). Then simply let the painting dry and brush the salt off. This technique can come in handy when painting water scenes with a splash that you want to being to life or a night sky with stars. Experiment with different salts and diffrent amounts and most of all have fun!