One of the hardest lines of work to make a name for oneself is in the arts. Becoming an artist is notoriously difficult. Because art is subjective, just because somebody is a talented artist, does not for a second mean that anybody will want to buy their art.
However, there are some very effective ways of increasing one’s chances of success as an artist, despite the subjectivity of art. If you want to become an artist, then this post is for you. Here are six tips that you need to know about:
Oil Painting
Oil paintings are in high demand. If you want to make money from painting, then oil painting is a good discipline to learn. It’s also good to learn color theory, about which you can find details here. However, while oil paintings do tend to sell for more than acrylic ones, it should be noted that the type of paint used isn’t the only thing that can increase (or decrease) a painting’s value. Some other things that play an important role are the quality of the work, the popularity of the artist, and the size of the painting. That said though if you are new to painting and want to learn a style that, once you are proficient at it and a skilled painter, will earn you a lot of money, then oil painting is definitely the style of painting you should learn.
Be Authentic
If you want to become an artist, then make sure that you are true to yourself. In other words, be authentic. A lack of authenticity is something critics will pick up on almost immediately when they look at their work. Do not try to copy anybody else’s style, make your own. Unfortunately, very few artists are authentic. It’s common today for people to all copy each other and paint in the same style. Because of this, being authentic will make you stand out. It’s not easy finding one’s ‘authentic style’ but it is possible with hard work and determination.
Consider Classes
Some people are naturally talented painters and do not need classes. Others are not. Not being naturally talented does not mean that you cannot be a successful painter, though. If talent does not come naturally to you, then consider signing up for a painting class. Painting classes are available at most community colleges and teach you the basics of painting. It’s a good idea to learn to draw before you start painting, though. There are lots of very good tutorials available on the internet that teach drawing. Learning to draw can be a lot of fun, but also challenging.
Portrait Painting
Portrait painting is a good area of the painting to get into if you want to make money. Oil portrait commissions can be very expensive. Some leading portrait painters charge upwards of $20,000 a portrait, depending on the size and width. If you want to make it as a portrait painter, then you may want to consider going to a school or classes that specialize in portrait painting. Traditional portraits are in high demand. One of the good things about portraits is that you do not have to paint them for anybody specific. Portraits have great resale value. Animal portraits can be very valuable, too.
Natural Talent
As mentioned previously, not everybody has natural talent. However, not having natural talent does not mean that you cannot make it as a painter. You can attend classes to learn how to paint if needs be. Classes can be expensive and can be very time consuming, but they will help you to become a better painter. One of the main advantages of classes is that you learn all of the technical stuff that you wouldn’t be able to teach yourself, at least without the help of a textbook. If you do not have time to take classes, then consider accessing an online course or video series.
Working Hard
If you want to become a successful painter then you need to work hard. As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. You won’t become a successful artist overnight. It takes people years to gain notoriety, sometimes even a lifetime. If you want to start making money from your paintings immediately then consider selling them online. You can also take custom commissions from people. Make sure to charge significantly less than other people, if you want to build a loyal customer base, and get commissions even as an amateur artist.
Becoming an artist isn’t easy. However, just because it’s not easy does not for a second mean that it is impossible. With hard work and determination, you can become a successful painter. This post’s guidance should help you to do that.