DON’T RESPOND WITHOUT THINKING YOUR WORDS THROUGH

When something bad happens, like being faced with negative feedback, we want to reply right away. However, take some time to think about the feedback you received and the response you want to give. This way, you won’t let your emotions get the best of you. You can reassess the situation and provide a response you usually would have instead of saying something you will regret.

USE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK AS A TOOL TO BECOME A BETTER ARTIST

Constructive criticism is crucial to becoming a better artist. Sometimes that feedback will, unfortunately, be negative. However, you can turn this situation into a positive thing and an opportunity to learn. We can find out some things we can improve and work on through feedback. You can work on your artistic skills and focus on what you need to improve. Practice makes perfect, so even if sometimes it feels like you aren’t improving yourself, you might be too close to the forest to see the trees.

REMIND YOURSELF THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR ALL ARTISTS

The feedback we get on our art can’t always be positive. Remember that receiving negative feedback is a typical situation for all artists. The truth is, not everyone in this world has created art and only received positive reviews. Even some of the best and most famous artists were not appreciated when they should have been. However, even though this situation is common, it doesn’t mean it is easy to deal with. One of the steps that will make it easy to deal with negative feedback as an artist is remembering that this is all part of the long journey to success. Once this is behind you, you will look back at this moment and not feel as bad as you do right now.

DEAL WITH NEGATIVE FEEDBACK BY TALKING ABOUT IT

This advice is essential for all negative life situations we may find ourselves in. Talking with someone about how you feel will make you feel better about the situation. It will make you feel less stressed about the negative feedback you received. In return, you will receive reassuring words, giving you the confidence to continue working on your art. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your feelings with your friends or colleagues, you can go to a therapist or write everything down in a journal. Letting all those emotions out is essential to deal with them better. After a while, it will get much easier, and you will feel happier once you receive positive words.

ASK FOR ANOTHER OPINION

Getting negative feedback can sometimes be brutal and hard to deal with. If this is the case for you, ask someone else whose opinion you value about how they feel about your art. You will be able to see whether that negative feedback is shared. In the process, you will most likely receive compliments, boosting your confidence. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback in the future, as it is detrimental to becoming a good and successful artist. Without feedback, we may not be able to see things right in front of us.

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE FEEDBACK TOO

Another thing to remember is that negative feedback isn’t the only feedback you will receive as an artist. Remember the compliments you received as an artist. For every negative feedback you get, there must be at least one positive, even if you didn’t hear it yourself. Reassure yourself by remembering all those times your art was complimented and admired. Most importantly, remember how proud you felt the first time you created something. After all, from when you first began making art to the present day, you’ve grown and become much better as an artist.

DON’T STOP CREATING ART

One of the worst things we can do as artists are let the negative feedback get to us so much that we quit our dreams. Although negative feedback can be a lot sometimes, it shouldn’t be a reason to give up. As artists, we need to accept that good and bad feedback is a natural part of our jobs. You shouldn’t require others’ approval to create art, but you can try to use negative feedback as motivation to become a better artist. One day, you will be glad you didn’t give up and that you continued to work hard on your skills as an artist.

FINAL THOUGHTS

As artists, it can be challenging to deal with negative feedback as we tend to take things to heart when it comes to our art. However, we need to remind ourselves that this isn’t the truth. When getting feedback on our work, we shouldn’t take it personally. Remember that the feedback is only about your artwork, not yourself. After all, we all have different tastes and opinions, not just when it comes to art but about everything in life.

Author Bio: Jessica Myers is a writer and consultant for Professional Movers Canada who enjoys painting and fine arts. Jessica loves to travel the world and visit as many art museums and galleries as she can in her free time.

The post How to Deal with Negative Feedback as an Artist appeared first on Art Business News.

Obtain a basic business education

A successful artist should wear two hats. They should wear the hat of a creative, but also one of a business owner. Most artists have no problem wearing hat number one, but many of them neglect hat number two. Take some time to study how to run a business and obtain a basic business education. This does not mean you need a college degree you just need to understand the basic function of a business.

Understand what your costs are and how much time it takes to do work. Time and cost must always be at the top of your mind. Small and basic pieces cost less time or money to make but have more competition and may make less profit. A large custom piece might bring you more profit, but it is going to take more time and money upfront to build. You need to understand you are running a business even if it feels like you aren’t.

When you are working on a piece it is important to ask yourself what your cost are and map them out. What do your materials cost? What will shipping of materials or your art piece cost? Most young artists don’t have their own studio so you may need to rent out studio space. If you are a glass artist or work in a medium that requires high heat, you need to account for an expensive energy bill. All these factors need to be considered when it is time to set a price for your art.

It is important you learn how to make money as an artist. Understand your art is your business and find a way to support yourself off your art.

Find a mentor and eventually mentor others

 Finding success in the art industry is a difficult thing to do. Artists put their heart and work on the line and they do so often for little money and acclaim. This industry is so hard to navigate, and you should not do it alone. Mentorship is a huge part of success in the art industry, and I would not be where I am today without having people I trusted mentor me in both art and business. You need people who can guide you through this industry and the general business world and help you grow. Mentorships don’t need to be some formal affair such as working with a famous artist in a studio. You can develop many informal relationships with artists in your community who will help you learn about the industry. As long as these people are helping you learn and grow then they are good mentors. Working with young artists has been a passion of mine for a long time and many of my best glass pieces would not be possible without the help of these talented young artists. Everyone young artist needs someone to hold them accountable and help them do art for a living. My mentors inspired me to be a better artist and they helped me make money in this industry so I could afford to share my gift with the world. They taught me that I could stay true to my artistic vision while not being a starving artist.

Find multiple mentors that are willing to guide you through this industry, they will make you a better artist and businessperson.

Always budget for emergencies and understand that cost and time are variable

Completing a complicated art project is one of the most fulfilling things an artist can do. However, accurately estimating the time and cost to complete said project often feels like an impossible task. The cost you estimate to complete a project is often less than the actual cost which is why you need to budget for emergencies. As a young artist, you are most likely not getting paid until you sell your piece and that could take up to a year for any large project. Start by doing smaller projects and save up your money to build an emergency budget. Any large project should be backed by three to six months of emergency savings in case the project goes over time and over budget.

Projects often take longer than you think to complete, and you often need to purchase more materials which with current inflation are often more expensive the second time you buy them. Cost and time are variable, and you must have money saved up to ensure you have the budget to combat these changes in completion time and material cost.

Don’t be afraid to walk away from projects 

Admitting that you don’t have the resources to do a project is a difficult thing for an artist to do but being humble and knowing when you are stretched too thin will help you in the long run. Art can cost a lot of time and money. You are spending money on materials and trying to market your piece which can put you in the red until the day you sell it. Understand what you need to make money off a piece and if you can’t make a profit off it then it might be best to put that piece aside. As creative people many of us are willing to lose money on our art if it means people get some meaning or enjoyment out of our creation; however, making this sacrifice will hurt you in the long run. The reality is it is better to do nothing than sell a piece and lose money. Not walking away only serves to burn through your materials, budget, and energy.

Think long-term and know your limits. As you grow you will gain more success and opportunities to create bigger and better projects.

Don’t be afraid to market yourself and be good to your customers

You can’t be a successful artist without finding a customer base willing to buy your art. If you want more people exposed to your work, then it is important that you market yourself. Establish your artistic brand and market it appropriately. Self-promotion can be a hard thing for many artists to do, but it usually pays off. Be active on social media and seek out magazines and local newspapers to cover your work and tell your story. Don’t be afraid to share your work with galleries, small businesses, and other artists. A lot of work I have received is due to the network of local artists I am friends with who tell their customers about me. If you have the money to do so it isn’t a bad idea to invest in some internet marketing help so you can improve your engagement on social media or show up more prominently on Google.

When you find new customers do everything you can to treat them right. I have customers who have been with me for over a decade and every few years they reach out asking me to commission a new custom glass art. Your art is your gift to the world so don’t be afraid to share it.

Lastly, it is important that you always continue pushing the envelope with your art. Don’t allow people to stifle your creativity. You shouldn’t take jobs that burn all your money, but you also should not take jobs that don’t inspire you. Balance that creative fire you have for art with the acumen to run a business and you will be successful in this industry on your terms.

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Author’s Bio: Newt Grover is the owner of the Scottsdale Arizona art studio Newt Glass. Newt specializes in creating hand-blown glass chandeliers and custom glass art for people across the United State of America. 

The post Artists Must Learn the Value of Their Art appeared first on Art Business News.

Your wall color is as important as the frame of the art piece. This should not disturb the masterpiece, but it should complement the art as one instead. You’ve devoted considerable thought to picking and organizing your art pieces. In that case, it only makes sense to provide the same amount of thought to selecting a fantastic color for your interior painting.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST WALL COLOR TO GO WITH YOUR ART

1. Consider your Preferences

Before hanging any art piece on your interior walls, it’s crucial to think about the direction and theme of your design. Think about what you want a room to look like when everything’s done.

Evaluate your preferences, whether you want a peaceful or cozy vibe. Or you want your space to look more elegant, bright, clean, formal, or something dramatic. Whichever path you take will assist you in determining the suitable color scheme to match your art pieces and wall color.

A calm environment, for example, would require darker and cooler colors like greens, blues, and purples. A mix of neutrals and gentler, lighter tones could be used in a more brilliant and simple design. And how about some drama? Choose brighter, warmer shades like magenta or red.

2. Identify Your Wall Paint’s Undertone

The shade of your interior walls may appear clear to you but take a deeper look. Unless the paint color of your wall is pure white, there will almost certainly be some undertones that will alter your entire color palette. All paint colors contain undertones, including grays, beiges, and whites. The problem is that these “concealed” hues are difficult to notice unless you compare your wall paint to a different shade.

That’s why having a paint color fan deck for color comparisons comes in handy. If your interior wall color is eggshell, cream, ivory, or another neutral white, choose the purest white on the fan deck to detect undertones. Likewise, compare your wall to other shades of blue, beige, or gray to get a sense of the fine undertones affecting the dominant hue.

Matching the color palette of your artworks with the undertone of your wall helps ensure that nothing appears strangely “wrong” when everything is put together.

3. Choose a Color Scheme

Here are some useful design ideas to consider — and when you’ll need to pull out your color wheel. When it comes to the type of color scheme that will bind your room together, you have three options: monochromatic, complementary, or analogous.

Let’s have a look at what each of these represents.

Monochromatic

Become one with your color palette. A monochromatic design creates a unified, harmonious aesthetic in your space by using only one color in various shades. Choose a few distinct tones, shades, or tints of the same color to incorporate in your artwork based on the color of your wall (or undertone).

Complementary

Do you want to make a bigger statement with your art? Then you should go with a complementary color palette. Complementary hues, such as green and purple or orange and blue, are opposite each other on the color wheel. Combining complementary shades produces a striking contrast and adds interest to the space.

If your wall paint color is neutral, consider the undertone to determine which complementary color to choose. If your wall already has a specific hue, simply locate its inverse on the color wheel!

Analogous

Analogous colors are those that are adjacent on the color wheel. Using tones of the same color will result in a more peaceful and harmonious effect between your hanging art and wall color.

Choose one dominating color and apply the remaining two or three as accent colors. If your wall paint color is neutral, start your analogous color scheme with the undertone of the wall. For example, if your wall color has a light-blue undertone, your accent colors could be soft green and navy blue.

BEST WALL PAINT COLORS FOR HANGING AN ART PIECE

Neutral Colors

You can never go wrong with hanging your paintings on a neutral-colored wall. Choose a darker color, such as dark bluish-gray, to create a dramatic space.

Sky Blue

A sky blue wall contrasts nicely with predominantly white art pieces. Both the art and the wall color have an ethereal appearance, giving a tranquil and dreamy vibe to the area.

Olive Green

Olive green walls are a perfect complement for retro-inspired spaces with classic artworks and accessories. The color definitely brings the 1960s and 1970s vibe.

Lavender blue

Choose a wall paint color that will mask your frames for a uniform design. For example, the pale lavender wall paint color will fit well in with silver-framed artworks, putting more emphasis on each block of color.

Pink-Orange

If your artwork has vibrant colors, don’t assume your wall color needs to be as vivid. Softer and more subdued paint colors will highlight your piece while downplaying the rest of the space. A vivid coral or Pink-Orange background is appropriate for artwork with subdued hues. Color tones that contrast add balance and interest to a room.

Yellow

A photo display complements the white elements in a space. With so much white, a bold yellow wall color makes the artwork and furnishings stand out without overpowering the space.

Terracotta

Photographs in black and white stand out nicely against a deep wall backdrop. For example, terracotta-colored walls complement gray or black-and-white artwork.

CONCLUSION

It’s important to consider the color, size, and type of art pieces you will hang on your wall before starting your interior painting project.

You can always go back to the tips and list of colors above if you’re still unsure about what color you’re using.

However, if you’re having a hard time deciding which wall paint color suits best for your artwork, don’t hesitate to call the most reliable painting contractor in your area. By doing this, you can ensure that you’ll get professional help and the best result for your project.

About the author: Jericho Miles is a copywriter and content creator of Custom Colonial Painting that specializes in architectural, landscaping, and construction-related blogs. He’s drawing his writing inspiration from his experiences as a junior architect.

The post The Best Paint Colors in your Home to Showcase your Art appeared first on Art Business News.

We understand that most artists find it extremely difficult to create art and a business simultaneously. Many artists who overcome this hurdle and begin transforming their artistic passion from just a hobby to a business often face several challenges like managing the stress of running a business, marketing their art, finding the best pricing point, and building an appealing brand for their business.

Take it from us, branding is the soul of marketing, and marketing is the lifeblood of every art business. But for your marketing to be more effective, you’d need to find a captivating name that’d capture your target audience’s imagination and attract them to your business. With that said, here’s how to find the best name for your business.

FOUR TECHNIQUES EVERY ARTIST NEEDS TO FIND THE PERFECT ART BUSINESS NAME

1. Have a Clear Goal for Your Art Business

The first step in developing a distinct identity for your art company is outlining what you want your art brand to become, what it should accomplish, and how you want the public to connect with your artwork over time. Simply put: Have a precise vision for your business.

The best way to draw people into your business with your brand name has always been to find keywords that convey your company’s vision, align with your target audience, and embody how you would like people to feel once they connect with your business. Doing this will help you decide if you want your brand to be known for its jaw-dropping design and high-quality art, its ongoing push to expand the artistic horizon, or for its broad reach.

We all know that words have great power. Everything in our environment has an identity, a name that transmits information, moods, and ideas that we use to interact with things. Getting a solid name can infuse your brand with powerful meaning. Having these keywords will play a critical role whether you choose to brainstorm your brand’s name or visit a name generator for businesses.

After outlining the major areas you want your company to focus on as it grows over the years and creating a few keywords from them, the next step is to properly assess these words or phrases and choose a batch that best reflects your business. These will form the base for your company’s identity and branding.

2. Choose an Appropriate Brand Tone

Know this, the tone of your company’s name influences the effect your name would have on customers. Brands like Lifetouch, Pentagram, Fireart Studio, and Meta Design, all radiate different flavors and tones. Your brand’s tone expresses its genuine essence to customers. If done correctly, it will capture a wider consumer base; if done improperly, it will dissuade them.

Creating an engaging tone that is in tune with your company’s core ideas is a key method for shaping how your target market sees your business. Put effort into evaluating your customer base and discovering their basic identities, what they do, what they love to do, and what they stand for since this will give a comprehensive picture of what the appropriate tone for your company should be.

Most brand’s tones are usually:

• • Prestigious
  • Practical and pragmatic
  • Modern and innovative
  • Emotionally impactful

3. Specify the Elements of Your Brand

It’s wonderful that you now have a particular tone, but your quest for the right name isn’t done. You also need to establish your company’s brand elements. Why are these elements vital? For starters, your brand’s elements not only serve as the foundation of your brand but also the foundation for developing amazing name ideas.

But beyond naming your business, think of your brand’s elements as the building blocks of your brand’s personality. Customers will easily misinterpret your brand if your branding elements aren’t cohesive. And the easiest way to create and grasp your brand elements is to establish your company’s:

• • Big ideas: What are the key concepts your brand is focusing on?
  • Values: What ethical or professional values does your business support?
  • Story: Have you got any interesting stories to tell about your business?
  • Benefits: Will you provide your clients with any special benefits?
  • Feeling: What feelings do you want your patrons to have after interacting with your brand?
  • Value proposition: What separates your business from the art businesses in the market?

4. Gather Your Team and Start Brainstorming

It’s time to open your laptop, take a notebook, and start digging for some original, inspiring, and compelling words that match the naming needs of your business.

Trust us, brainstorming talks may be thrilling and enjoyable, but they can also be exhausting. Any entrepreneur aiming for a powerful name should not be afraid to get input from family, coworkers, and even employees. Excellent ideas can come from anyone, anywhere, and at any time.

While searching for a name, you’ll be swamped with tons of lovely and horrible naming ideas. But don’t be in a hurry to embrace one word and ditch the other.  Instead, take your time documenting every word you find. This would give enough resources to draw from as you begin testing your name.

Also, give yourself time. No name is perfect, so you shouldn’t really expect to get a faultless name right away. And if you do, set it aside and generate one or two additional great ones, so you can have multiple options to test with your audience.

5. Trademark Your Chosen Name

Once you’ve decided on a brand name, have a tiny fraction of your target market rate it to determine whether they like it. If they don’t like it, try another one since it’s pointless to select a “classy” name if your customers don’t appreciate it.

After you’ve examined and determined that your prospective name is acceptable to your clientele, be sure to register and trademark it. This would restrict other companies from using your business’s name.

Author’s Bio: Grant Polachek is the head of branding for Squadhelp.com, 3X Inc 5000 startup and disruptive naming agency. Squadhelp has reviewed more than 1 million names and curated a collection of the best available names on the web today. We are also the world’s leading crowdsource naming platform, supporting clients such as Nestle, Dell, Nuskin, and AutoNation.

The post Finding the Perfect Name for Your Art Business appeared first on Art Business News.

In the digital art space, this makes NFTs an extremely beneficial technology. All you need to mint NFTs is an idea, an ETH wallet, and a little crypto to cover the minting fees. However, selling NFTs after they’ve been minted is not so simple. Visit any NFT marketplace like OpenSea or Rarible and you will quickly discover hundreds of individual NFTs all collecting virtual dust on digital shelves while awaiting a purchaser.

When I created The Square Comics, it didn’t take long for my NFT project, which I deemed The Squarmies, to attract buyers. All 3,535 Squarmie NFTs that dropped at the end of January 2022 have sold—and they sold in less than one minute. Yes, you read that correctly; all 3,535 NFTs I minted and placed for sale sold in less than 60 seconds.

The secret to the Squarmies’ success is that it brought together a winning blend of artistry, tech knowledge, and appreciation for the community that appealed to thousands of fans in the NFT market.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when utilizing NFT space as an artist.

GROWING A FOLLOWING WITH NFTS

Similar to marketing any product, there are organic and inorganic channels when it comes to marketing NFTs. Organic channels involve building a community directly, usually through social platforms such as Twitter or Discord, to generate buzz around your NFT collection. On the other hand, inorganic channels usually involve tools like paying for digital ads and influencers to spread the word around your NFTs.

From my experience, organic is the best way to grow, and the more fun option overall. It’s thoroughly enjoyable to plan and play online events and games and interact with so many people. Although, if this doesn’t sound quite like your own idea of “fun,” inorganic channels might be the better option. With that said, if you can form a strategy that encompasses both organic and inorganic channels, your chances of success are bound to be much higher.

THE UPSIDE OF JOINING THE NFT SPACE

It’s undeniable that NFTs have a lot of growth potential, especially in more artistically inclined communities. After all, NFTs are primarily about fostering community engagement and supporting artistic creators, and because NFTs are still a relatively new term in today’s lexicon, early adopters can influence the development of the space.

Whether the artist has a traditional or non-traditional background, artists are turning to the digital medium for many reasons, such as developing new applications for blockchain technology, pursuing a creative new direction for their practice, or even just connecting with collectors and gaining greater ownership over their work.

BUILDING COLLECTIONS          

There are three primary design considerations when making NFTs:

1.    Character Design

The design for Squarmies is based on characters from my existing comic, The Square Comics. We needed a unique style for an NFT to stand out in the swelling ocean of NFTs. I considered these factors in designing it:

1. Recognizability: Readers of the square comics will immediately recognize the distinct style that helps to set our collection of NFTs apart.
2. Application: A majority of NFTs are used for profile photos. I focused my effort on making the characters lively and relatable, rather than adding too many details.

2.  Determining Customizable Areas

Producing NFTs through digital art often requires mixing different layers of illustration (e.g., the head combined with multiple hairs). We need to set specific customizable areas, so the layers don’t mix oddly (e.g., a hat on an eye). Here are some questions I asked myself that I found helpful:

• “What is the focal point of the character?” When a person first sees the character, what do you want them to notice? Squarmies’ focus is on their expression. I split the eyes and mouth into two unique traits that can be mixed and matched to give different expressions.
• “How is the character divided?” The idea here is to think about how they interact with each other and how this will affect the design. For Squarmies, I chose not to include head accessories as it limits the design of the hair (each hair needs to fit into a hat).

3. Color Palettes

To offer a brief glimpse of the Squarmies’ color scheme, here are the steps I took:

1. Determining the tone: what is the feeling you want the characters to express? For Squarmies, it’s cheerful, hence the bright colors.
2. Select one color each to represent the primary and secondary color groups: it’s easy to get lost in the color selection. To prevent that, I chose one color for each primary and secondary color group (red, yellow, blue, orange, green, violet).
3. Determining the different shades from those colors: after selecting the distinct colors, it’s time to determine their variations.
4. Selecting which shade goes for which layer: to add more depth to the piece, I opted to have different shades going to different layers of the NFTs.

For Squarmies, I used a lighter palette for the background instead of the bright colors the characters are using, so it doesn’t steal focus from them.

BEST WAYS TO USE NFT SPACE AS AN ARTIST

I don’t think there is a single best way for artists to utilize the NFT space. Although, for me, beyond enabling artists to be recognized for their work, NFTs also help us connect directly with our holders in a way that isn’t possible via traditional means.

BRINGING MORE ARTISTS TO THE BLOCKCHAIN

By focusing on the reliability of the movement of registered NFT assets on the blockchain, I hope the Squarmies project will inspire other artists to share their creativity and content with the NFT community, grow their brand, and take advantage of the rapidly developing blockchain technology. I hope that the Community Chest concept will attract non-NFT artists into the community and open doors for them to benefit from the experience I have gained from my Squarmies project.

Author Bio: Alvin Juano, Founder The Square Comics

Distanced from his family at a young age and living in another country, comics were his companion, and he developed an interest in storytelling.  In 2014, he started The Square Comics in his University dorm room as a hobby, and it has since grown to an over 600,000 follower base on Instagram.  As one of the pioneers webcomic artists in Southeast Asia, in December 2021, he decided to create and launch his own NFT collection, Squarmies. The collection sold out in less than one minute.  Now he’s on a mission to share his knowledge and help onboard artists into the NFT space. No stranger to fast-moving innovative tech industries, having previously worked in various startups including Uber (Fortune 500), he does enjoy walking his 6-year-old rescue dog in the park. 

The post Best Way to Utilize NFT Space as an Artist appeared first on Art Business News.

Video content is an excellent way for artists, influencers, and businesses to create engaging content for their audiences. It allows artists to introduce and promote their work to the world. Video marketing is a fun and engaging way to promote your art gallery. It is a professional way to connect with potential customers and get them interested in your work while also giving it a personal touch.

When creating a video, it is essential to include the correct elements in order so that your target audience members find it enjoyable and profitable. Here are some great tips for you on how you can make this happen:

1. CREATING A GOOD QUALITY VIDEO – KNOW THE PURPOSE OF YOUR VIDEO

When you’re making a video, it is important to know the purpose of your content. There are many factors to consider. You need to identify your target group and analyze how and why they should view our content. You will also need to decide whether your video should have an educational tone, with entertainment as the secondary goal, or vice versa.

If your aim is to turn it into a personal vlog, then that would be a good way to establish yourself and your work too. You can create stunning videos for your audience & edit them using an online video editor. It would help your viewers better understand your work and give them insights that they may not get otherwise. It would also be a platform for you to share your ideas and thoughts.

But make sure that there is something for everyone so that you reach a wider audience.

2. HAVE A SET STUDIO READY FOR FILMING

You might have a small or large filming studio, but it is important to use professional equipment for your content. This includes good cameras and lenses as well as microphones that give you the best sound quality, especially if you have plans of interviewing other people or traveling to places.

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3. INCLUDE TEXTS IN YOUR VIDEO CONTENT

Including written content in your videos is a great way to keep your viewers focused on the video while also making it interesting.

You can add captions: this keeps people from looking away from the screen and is also something that many would appreciate. You can also add commentary for the actions that you do, making it fun and entertaining for viewers to watch. Entertainment is always an important factor when it comes to video content, especially when you are trying to promote yourself and your work.

But make sure not to make it all too complicated – simple and light-hearted content does the trick just as well.

4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT MUSIC

Music is an essential ingredient in any video marketing campaign. Whether you want to promote your video on social media or play it in a public place, music livens things up and captures people’s attention. There are many platforms online which lets you find and use trendy music for free, with no copyright restrictions if credits are given. It won’t take you too long, but the effort would be worth it!

5. VOICEOVER

Voiceovers are a great way to add more depth and detail to your videos. Whether you want the voiceover for an educational video, tutorial, or short film, there’s something about it that gives the video a distinct quality.

Voiceovers can be added easily when you use video editors, and they make the content fun and different. When adding voiceovers, you should also add captions so that nothing is missed.

6. SHARING YOUR VIDEOS USING APT SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

With over 4 billion videos being watched on YouTube every day, it has become one of the most popular social media platforms for sharing content. Promoting your video successfully in such an environment requires knowing which channels or proper tools to use. Otherwise, your video will end up being lost in the sea of online content.

With Instagram and Twitter, you can connect with your target audience a lot more easily. On Facebook, it is likely that they will look for your page deliberately or find it through friend’s tags or suggestions.

So, using different social media platforms may be beneficial if you are trying to share your content to engage more traffic and generate more leads. It would also be productive for your business.

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7. WORK WITH FAMOUS INFLUENCERS

What’s better than working with an influencer? The best way to make sure that your video is seen by a large audience is by collaborating with YouTube personalities and Instagram influencers. They have huge fan followings and will be able to promote your work well.

But make sure that you choose the right person, someone with experience, who has been in the industry for some time. They would know what they are doing when it comes to creating content marketing strategies explicitly tailored toward social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc.

8. ASK FOR VIDEO SUGGESTIONS LIVE OR ONLINE

One great way to make your videos more marketable online is by asking followers for suggestions on what they would like to see in future videos. Even if the business needs specific promotional clips, it is important to involve the audience and show them how much they are appreciated by using their ideas to create content too. This will increase engagement and give it a human touch.

Source

As a content creator, you might find that sometimes, your ideas run dry. Or it can sometimes be challenging to film your videos. The best thing about marketing your business online is that you get to include your followers in every step. This makes them feel like they are a part of your journey. They might have ideas for what you could do and they could inspire you.

Promoting your art gallery traditionally works the same steady way as it always does. But to move forward with modern times, you need to start following the trends. What better way to start than to move your business online? So, follow the tips discussed above to see your art gallery business grow and flourish!

Author Bio: Matthew Morgan is a Marketing Manager at InVideo. He has previously written and contributed to audience growth strategies, especially in the field of Video Marketing, Creating & Editing Videos, for many popular publications.

The post Art Business News Pro Tip: Video Marketing appeared first on Art Business News.

CHOOSING ART PIECES FOR YOUR HOME – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

We completely understand how choosing art pieces for your home sounds like a difficult task, especially if you don’t have experience. But if you follow the six steps in this guide, we guarantee you’ll have a fun experience.

#1 FIGURE OUT YOUR STYLE

Before you start shopping for art pieces, you need to figure out the overall style you have and want in your home. Finding your interior design style is essential as it will dictate what type of art you’ll want to look for.

If the art pieces you’ve chosen feel out of place and simply don’t fit with your interior design, they will conflict with the impression of your home. Therefore, assessing the style of your space should be your priority. It will make choosing art much easier.

#2 DECIDE IF AND WHERE ART WILL BE THE FOCAL POINT

Every room needs a focal point, but not all focal points are good. A focal point is the first thing you notice when you walk into a room, so if the first thing that catches your eye is an aircon vent on the wall, something needs to be changed.

Art is always an excellent choice for a focal point. However, always remember that every room should only have one focal point. In case you’re choosing art for a room that already has a gorgeous rug as a focal point, make sure to go for a painting that’s not too visually striking.

#3 FIGURE OUT WHAT’S THE RIGHT SIZE

One of the common mistakes people make when choosing art for their home is not getting the size right. Either they pick tiny pieces for massive walls or overwhelm a small space with an oversized piece of art. Make sure to assess every room in detail before deciding on the correct size. 

Here are some tips to help you decide what size art you should choose:

• If you’re choosing artwork for your bedroom, keep in mind that it should span almost the entire width of the headboard of your bed.
• If you’re decorating your dining room, make sure to choose art that spans almost the entire width of your dining table or sideboard.
• For artwork, you want to use above the entry table in your hallway, make sure never to go over the full length of it.
• In case you’re choosing art for a wall with no furniture below it, make sure that the art takes up a large amount of that wall.

So, before you go shopping, measure your dining table, headboard, or any other item you want to hang art above, as this will stop you from making a big mistake. Also, you should always be mindful and choose the right ways for hanging art in your home.

#4 CHOOSE ART THAT SUITS THE ROOM

One of the most important things to consider when choosing art for your home is the overall ambiance and atmosphere you’re trying to create. You should pay attention to the color scheme and lighting, too.

Also, make sure to factor in the room’s function. For example, art in the living room is usually the centerpiece of the room and the crown jewel of the owner’s collection. On the other hand, art in the bedroom is more intimate and, in many cases, has a special meaning.

#5 DECIDE ON DETAILS

Another thing you should do before you go shopping is to decide on the specifics. It’s crucial to figure out what type of art you want and how many pieces would work well in the space.

In some cases, a triptych is your best option, while in others, it can be a simple and tiny framed photograph. Also, in some rooms, canvas artwork fits perfectly, while framed doesn’t. Or it might be a collection that makes an impact. It’s all about understanding the space and choosing art accordingly.

#6 CHOOSING ART PIECES FOR YOUR HOME

And you’ve reached the final step – looking for and choosing the art pieces for your home. Now that you know your home’s style and what you want to achieve in every room, you can enjoy and make the most of this process. All that it’s left is to find art that fits into what you’ve imagined and planned.

However, don’t get disappointed if you don’t fall in love with every piece of art that turns out to be the best choice for a specific room in your home. As long as you like it, you can focus on making the room look whole with and without the piece in question. Also, keep in mind that artwork requires care and maintenance, so make sure you take good care of the pieces you’ve chosen for your home.

GOOD LUCK CHOOSING ART PIECES FOR YOUR HOME

We hope our guide to choosing art pieces for your home helps you select artwork that perfectly complements your home. We’re sure that once you step foot into the fantastic world of art, you won’t be able to get enough of it! So, make sure to subscribe to art business news, and you’ll always be in the know!

Author bio:

Devin Sheard is a writer with a great passion for interior design. She is currently working as a content manager for Zippy Shell DMV. However, she’s also running a successful blog where she shares different home decor and interior design tips. 

The post Guide to Choosing Art Pieces for Your Home appeared first on Art Business News.

To ensure the protection of your artwork, make sure you carry art safely in bags. Bags that are either designed as portfolios or backpacks offer protection for smaller sketches, art supplies, and sketch pads. For bigger pieces, you may need to use a solid foam material to protect the edges of the frames in which the artwork is placed.

When you are ready to hang your artwork, you first need to consider the space for the hanging. Therefore, you need to contemplate how your art will look in the intended space.

1. POSITION A SINGLE ART PIECE AT EYE LEVEL

If you only have one piece of art to hang, always place it at eye level. The idea is to impress the viewer so they can consider the picture straight-on.  In this instance, the magic number is 60 or 5, whether you are talking in inches or feet.

Plant your painting or sketch 60 inches from the center of the wall to the floor, or precisely 5 feet. When hanging the art over furniture, you should allow for about 5 inches of space. In this case 5 is the magic number for inches. If you plan to hang the art over a console or couch, it should be about two-thirds the width of the furnishing. Otherwise, it will look out of sync.

2. TREAT 2 OR 4 PIECES OF ART AS ONE PIECE OF ARTWORK

If you plant to hang two pieces of art, or even three or four, space them only a couple inches apart and hang them, again, 60 inches or 5 feet from the floor to the center of the artwork.

3. CREATE A GALLERY WALL THAT UNIFIES A CENTRAL THEME

If you are hanging a gallery wall, you want to use a grid of images or prints with a similar theme as well as frames that are consistent in appearance. The art might represent botanical prints or sketches or black-and-white photographs.

If you are so inclined, you may prefer to mix the looks of the frames for a more eclectic design. Place the art about 3 inches apart or smaller pieces about 2 inches from one another. To make the project simpler, trace the frames you will be using on paper first, then use painters’ tape to configure a layout on the wall before hammering holes for the art.

4. CONSIDER YOUR FRAMES

Besides knowing how to hang your artwork, you also have to review the frames. Prints and paintings look different, depending on the styles and material of the border. Frame designs and materials may include the following:

• Marble and brass
• Woven rattan
• Crafted leather
• Industrial brass
• Stitched leather
• Inlaid bone

5. USE A CORDLESS DRILL TO HANG ARTWORK ON BRICK

While it is a safe bet that you only need a hammer to hang a painting or print in drywall or a plaster wall, you will have to take a different approach if your art is being hung on brick.

If you choose a brick space, make sure you can do so, as some older homes or apartments may require that you to get permission to drill into exposed brick.

WHAT TOOLS YOU WILL NEED

Once you’re ready to proceed, you will need the following tools for hanging your artwork:

• A cordless drill (an essential tool)
• A Phillips head drill bit
• Masonry drill bit if hanging on brick
• A hammer
• Screws and anchors
• A level and tape measure
• A marker

GETTING IT DONE

1. FIGURE OUT WHERE YOU WILL DRILL THE HOLES FOR THE ANCHORS AND SCREWS

Use the marker to determine where your frame will affix to the wall. Center the mark so it is 60 inches, or 5 feet, from the ground. If you only have one small picture attached to a string, you only need to drill one hole. For a larger picture with D-rings or a cord, you need two screws to balance the picture and offer enough support. Use the level to ensure the holes you drill remain even.

2. DRILL THE HOLES AT THE MARKED SITES

Use the masonry bit and drill to make the holes for hanging your art. Make sure you drill each hole so it can hold and support the length of the screw. Drill slowly so you don’t overheat the tool. Take breaks, if needed, during the activity. After drilling the hole(s), remove the residue with a dry cloth.

3. TAP THE ANCHOR(S) INTO THE HOLES

Use the hammer to add the anchors so you can keep the screws in place.

4. DRILL THE SCREW(S) INTO THE ANCHOR(S)

When you drill the screw(s) into the anchor(s) leave about one-fourth inch to hang the cord or string for the artwork and frame.

5. HANG THE ARTWORK, MAKING SURE IT IS IN BALANCE

Finally, you want to tighten the screws in place. Make sure the art is in balance and is hanging at eye level, especially if it is hanging from a single string or wire.

If you don’t want to create holes in the brick, you might try adding clamps to the masonry. You can attach the clamps to hold your art without using any tools. Make sure you measure the size of the brick before you purchase the clamps, as they come in a variety of sizes.

6. USE OTHER TERNATIVES FOR DISPLAYING YOUR ART

• Besides using nails for hanging, you can also use picture-hanging strips known as command strips. These strips provide a great hold, whether your artwork is heavy or light. Plus, they won’t leave any traces when you remove the art.
• You can also place art on the mantle over your fireplace. You might also think about filling in spaces in a bookcase with smaller pieces of art.
• Using an easel provides a nice way to display art as well.

7. HANG A LARGER PICTURE AND FRAME IN A SMALLER SPACE

If you have a small space for hanging art, use a larger picture and frame. It is far easier to take this approach as it creates a focal point and makes hanging the artwork simpler too.

Author Bio:

Bari Syed has been involved with photography for the past 10 years and wants to share his knowledge with others.

The post Tips for Hanging Art in Your Home appeared first on Art Business News.

MENTAL HEALTH CRISES ART CAN HELP YOU CONQUER

No matter the situation, you can always turn to an artform to get you through it. These are a few of the mental health crises that can be improved by creating art:

Depression

Depression touches more than 17 million people in the U.S. alone¹. It often leads to feelings of worthlessness, lack of accomplishment, and overall emptiness. Getting involved with artistic work can combat those feelings because of the positive emotions it can bring. Creating a song might make you feel accomplished as a writer, singer, and musician, for example. Drawing a lifelike picture can give you a sense of achievement. Creating a gorgeous sculpture of someone you love can give you confidence about your gifts and purpose.

Divorce

People experience a multitude of emotions when they undergo divorce proceedings. Depression, fear, and lack of purpose are three common emotional reactions to losing an integral long-term relationship. Discovering your identity in art can bring you out of the emotional avalanche of a divorce. It can place your life into perspective and help you find your most treasured creativity. Your artwork² can also help you create a business that could earn you the money you need to pay your bills after your marriage ends. You might become a renowned painter after using your pain to create an irresistible work of art.

Job Loss

The loss of a job can be one of the most devastating experiences in life. It can be worse for you if it’s a job on which you based the future of your career. The arts can help you bounce back from a job loss. Maybe you have a knack for writing³ poetry, stories, and journals. You can use all your frustration and disappointment to create a heartfelt poem that you could later turn into a popular song. Maybe you can write a story about the adventures you had while you were on the job. That story could even end up being a best-seller.

Anxiety

Anxiety can cause life-crippling fear that can disrupt and destroy your attempts to move forward. You can find a remedy in creating art, however. One benefit of using art to combat anxiety is that it will help you focus. Keeping your mind focused on your projects will block out the negative or fearful thoughts that enter your mind. Furthermore, you’ll have the courage to accomplish something, and you’ll benefit even more once you’re finished with your project. Painting and writing require a lot of concentration, so they might be just the thing you need to harness your creativity and tamp down your anxiety.

Loneliness

Sometimes, you might just be lonely. Your artwork can become your best friend once you put your heart and your best work into it.

Drug Addiction

Drug addiction⁴ puts a strain on your mental health and psyche for numerous reasons. It can cause you to lose relationships and job prospects, and it can cause you financial problems that invite depression into your life. Artwork is an excellent element to add to your recovery regimen. It can be a good form of distraction or replacement therapy. It can also teach you things about yourself that you may not have known. You might be an incredible artist, for example. Taking the time to explore the arts while recovering from your addiction can help to shape your artistic abilities. It’s not uncommon for certain drug and alcohol addiction programs to offer alternative therapies that implement art. That means starting an art journey puts you on the right track toward battling your addiction.

TIPS FOR USING ART TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Now that you know that you can use art to improve your mental health, you just need to know how you can make it happen. These are some tips for incorporating art into your mental health and wellness:

Find Your Niche

First, you need to figure out which art form is most feasible for you to get involved in. You can do that by trying a few different things and then choosing the medium that makes you the happiest. You may have more than one talent, but you should focus on one that you can nurture.

Think About Your Purpose

Think about how you want to use your talent aside from improving your mental health. Ask yourself if you can benefit from it financially or in some other way.

Gather Your Supplies

Gather all the supplies you need for your activity. Go out and buy yourself a large canvas and all the colors in the rainbow if you’re going to paint, for example. Get yourself some studio equipment for your songs. You get the idea. 

Meet Like-Minded People

Being surrounded by individuals with the same goals and talents is essential. Those people can be a support system during this challenging time or be collaborators, advisors, and mentors.

Enjoy Everything You Do

Don’t ever rush a work of art or force yourself to create art when you don’t want to. The whole point of partaking in art is to enjoy it. So, delay working on your craft until you’re in the mood to give it your best. You’ll enjoy the finished product much more knowing that you had a fabulous time creating it.

START USING ART TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL

Now you know how you can take advantage of your artistic abilities to help resolve common mental health issues. Using the information above to improve the quality of your life and eliminate mental health imbalances can not only be beneficial, but a chance for personal discovery.

Author Bio: Dr. Harshi Dhingra is a licensed medical doctor with specialization in Pathology. She is currently employed as faculty in a medical school with tertiary care hospital and research center in India as well as a medical review for Sunshine Behavioral Health. She has vast experience of over a decade in diagnostic, clinical, research and teaching work. She has strong interest in medical content writing and reviewing. She also has several publications and citations in indexed peer reviewed journals.

Sources:

1 nimh.nih.gov – Major Depression

2 health.harvard.edu – The Healing Power of Art

3 creativenonfiction.org – Writing Memoir and Writing Therapy

4 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov- The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

All images courtesy of Pexels.com

The post Using Art to Improve Your Mental Health appeared first on Art Business News.

THE DO’S AND DON’T ON FINE ART PACKAGING MATERIALS

Artwork packaging ensures protection and facilitates manipulation by considering its specifications and features. The packing supplies you choose for your art pieces vastly affect their safety. On the one hand, the choices are diverse. On the other hand, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and choose the wrong types of packaging under pressure.

To ensure you know what you’re doing, here’s a guide on what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to fine art packaging materials.

ARTWORK PACKAGING SUPPLIES – THE DOS

1. FOAM CORE

Foam board or foam core is a lightweight material that can easily be cut. It is regularly used for safe packing, shipping, and storage of valuable art pieces. Another good thing about foam core is that it’s available in different degrees of thickness. So as far as its availability is concerned, this is a type of material you can find at almost any craft or art supply store.

2. ACID-FREE PAPER

Acid-free paper, which is PH neutral, is an absolute must-have for those dealing with art. It is even crucial if you want to protect your art from potential damage during moving and storage. Furthermore, acid-free paper is perfect for wrapping, as it doesn’t cause any chemical reactions with the art piece. A version of this paper every professional recommends is glassine. Besides being PH neutral, it is also air, water, and grease resistant.

3. BUBBLE WRAP

This is one of the most popular packing materials. We are sure you’ve encountered it many times, as well as tried popping all the bubbles and keeping your fingers busy. Back to the serious side, this material is famous for a reason. It is cheap, lightweight, and provides efficient protection against damage. Firstly, bubble wrap cushions the artwork from impact, and secondly, it prevents movement.

4. PACKING TAPE

When picking out the packing tape that will do the job, it’s essential to invest in a high-quality one. It would be good to consider whether it can ensure fully secured seams and protect packed items from moisture.

5. CORNER PROTECTORS

All flat items have highly vulnerable corners. Thus, they require additional attention. To reduce the risk of warping or scoring, use corner protectors from foam or cardboard. The good news is they can be found in any art or moving supply store. Alternatively, you can make them yourself.

6. CUSTOMIZED CRATES AS FINE ART PACKAGING MATERIALS

Crates are usually wooden containers used to ship delicate, large, heavy, and unevenly shaped art pieces. A customized crate can be built precisely to fit the specifications of the artwork you want to transport, and therefore, protect it.

Whether it’s a sculpture, a fragile item, or a massive painting, customized crates are always the best option.

ARTWORK PACKAGING SUPPLIES – THE DON’TS

1. TRASHBAGS

First, you don’t want to make your art look like trash. This is especially true for those trying to get into a gallery or send their art to a reputable buyer. Second, this is a lousy option for insuring the safety of the art you’re trying to transport.

Make sure you only use materials intended for the shipment of art.

2. TISSUE PAPER

Another bad idea is to use paper of non-archival quality. As we’ve mentioned before, you should only use PH-neutral and acid-free paper for packing art.

3. REGULAR PACKING TAPE

Finally, using regular, low-quality packing tape can, unfortunately, result in the fine art being damaged.

THE ‘HOW TO’

Now that you know the best (and worst) artwork packaging materials, it’s time to learn how to handle different art pieces when packing them.

UNFRAMED PAINTINGS

To safely pack your unframed paintings, you should follow these steps.

1. Use white cotton gloves to avoid touching the piece of art with your fingers.
2. Wrap the art piece in acid-free paper and then wrap it with plastic (to protect it against moisture).
3. If you don’t have corner protectors, you can make your own by folding the acid-free tissue paper into triangles with one side open.
4. It would help to mount your wrapped piece of art to foam core or cardboard by taping only the corner protectors.
5. Placing a few layers of cardboard on each side of the painting is an excellent way to protect it. Just don’t forget to tape the pieces together.
6. Take two pieces of corrugated cardboard, place your art piece between them, and tape all the sides.

FRAMED PAINTINGS

1. You can build a crate or find a box that fits the piece. First, however, you need to make sure there are three inches of space available on each side of the painting.
2. Again, wrap your artwork in acid-free tissue paper.
3. Then wrap the piece in bubble wrap, and ensure the corners have adequate coverage.
4. Place a layer of foam or some other packaging material to create a layer your frame will sit on.
5. Stuff all the open areas with packing material.

SCULPTURES

1. Place bubble wrap twice around the upper part of the sculpture. At this point, only half of your sculpture needs to be wrapped, so cut off the rest and secure the loose ends with tape. Then, overlap the top of the bubble wrap and secure it with tape. This way, you will ensure the top of your sculpture is safe and protected.
2. Wrap the bubble wrap twice around the bottom part. Overlap the bubble wrap in the middle slightly. Then cut it and secure it with tape down the side and around the middle where the two pieces of bubble wrap meet. Also, overlap the bottom, so it protects the sculpture.
3. Fill in the box with shredded paper or packing peanuts. About 1/3 of the box should be filled. Then, make a hole in the middle. This is where you will put your sculpture. Finally, fill in the rest of the box.

PRO TIP: Don’t forget to use stickers that say ‘fragile’. This way, everyone will know those boxes require extra care.

THE TAKEAWAY FROM FINE ART PACKAGING MATERIALS

Fine art packaging materials are many. There are good and bad ones. As there’s a right way of maintaining your art collection, there’s a right way of packing and storing your art pieces. Make sure you refer to this article again when you start selling your art!

Author bio: George Simons has been working as a consultant for NYC Mini Storage. He specializes in the transportation, storage, and packing of fragile items, and valuable works of art. George has only recently discovered his passion for writing. Now, he likes to share his accumulated knowledge with art lovers around the globe.

The post Guide to Fine Art Packaging Materials appeared first on Art Business News.