From the category archives:

Making Art

What is a body of work?

by Alyson Stanfield on August 15, 2010

The definition of a body of work varies from artist to artist. For one artist, a body of work might be defined by size. For another artist, it might be color, media, or subject matter.

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Making Art as a Battle Between Artist and Material

by Alyson Stanfield on August 3, 2010

Bruce Nauman profile. Artist as observer and synthesizer of words and ideas. And nothing is easy. Every piece of art is a struggle. If you struggle with your work, you’re in good company.

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Correct Your Reference Photos

by Guest Blogger on June 18, 2010

Most compact digital cameras have significant barrel distortion. The wider the lens, the worse the effect. So when you take a picture of someone, their nose looks bigger than it should. Guest blogger Jeremy Lee shows you how to correct for this in your reference photographs.

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Get Back in the Studio and Make Art!

by Alyson Stanfield on May 3, 2010

Every week I give you an art marketing action to try or to tweak. What I don’t say in each issue is that your art must be your priority. I’m here to give you ideas for promoting and selling your art. It’s your job to put your art first—before the marketing.

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Conservation of Your Artwork: Intent and Keeping Records

by Alyson Stanfield on April 3, 2010

Future generations have no idea what your intent was in making a piece of art. You have to spell it out if it isn’t obvious. If you want your work preserved in a museum one day, make a conservator happy. Keep notes about your working materials, techniques, and intent.

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What is artistic style?

by Alyson Stanfield on March 23, 2010

Your style is a combination of the mediums, technique, and subject matter you choose. But it doesn’t stop there. Your personal style is defined by that extra little thing you do to distinguish your work from that of other artists.

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If you are one of the artists wrestling with a commitment to your studio, I have a solution: Spend just 15 minutes a day checking in with your art. This is all you need to promise yourself at this point.

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Make your art big enough to hold your ideas and dreams

by Alyson Stanfield on January 12, 2010

Don’t let size or space be an issue when you make your art. Make your art it as big as it needs to be in order to hold your ideas and dreams. If it’s good enough, it will find a home. If you have to borrow a truck to haul it, you’ll do that, too.

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What would you do (as an artist) when a client wants to buy a painting, for a few thousand dollars, but requires one of the minor details be changed? Would you alter the painting or not?

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The first 4 steps toward selling your art: Step #1

by Alyson Stanfield on August 4, 2009

When I’m asked “Where do I start?” I can cite 4 steps that an artist should take in the beginning of a career. Step #1 is to be completely devoted to your studio practice.

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