Create a Series of Paintings to Sell More Art

Painting in a series is a way of exploring several different variations of an idea or theme. There are many benefits of creating a group of similar styled artworks. Related paintings look a lot better in an art show than a bunch of different looking artworks.

Galleries are much more receptive to artists who have developed their own style - who work on specific themes for extended periods. The most successful art exhibitions have paintings that look good displayed together.

Art buyers are more open to collecting series of paintings as well – collections are easier to sell.

 

The best way for artists to get recognized and develop an identity, is to cultivate a distinct style. There is no better way to do that than to begin creating art in multiples. It will make you look like a professional instead of appearing to be unfocussed. If you are an artist who is accustomed to creating variety in your artwork, art galleries and art buyers will be less open to you. Everything will be much easier - creating a portfolio, an artist statement, selling your art, and describing it to others - by creating paintings in a series.

Develop your own style by finding subjects, themes, and mediums you like the most, and exploring different ways of bring variations to each consecutive painting. Continue creating until your subject is explored fully, then work on developing a new series. Many of the most successful artists work in this way.

The best way to learn about creating series of artworks is to look at art of other artists. Browse the artist spotlights at ArtProMotivate, mostly featuring artists who have developed their own unique style. Many of them work in series.

To help you begin making a series of artworks, I have listed several ideas you may explore. I refer to artists who have been featured at Artpromotivate in the past. Please visit these to see some of their displayed artworks, and their online art portfolios as well.  

 

How to Create a Painting Series to Increase Art Sales

 

1. Similar Themes in a Series of Artworks 
    
   Think about a general subject or theme, and create several artworks based on that. I like to base my themes on landscape, seascape, and nature. This is a very broad topic but has allowed my paintings to be recognized more easily.
   
   Another artist who plan multiple artworks on themes is Chana Helen. Here is what she says about her themes:
   

   
   “I gain much of my inspiration from my observations of Jerusalem life and the Jewish celebrations which I take part in. I work from a combination of my sketches, memory, feelings and imagination.”
   
   
   

2. Similar Style in a Painting Series 
    
   Work on developing your unique style and apply it to a series of artworks. If you have not developed a style of your own, creating a series of paintings may help you to do so.
   
   Michael Gaudet has a unique style all his own. Here is what he says about his style.
   
   

   My paintings are usually representational with a twist. I like to incorporate 'ideas' into every work of art...I feel that a painting has to have ideas brewing along with it just as a story needs a plot. I am an advocate of 'less is more' meaning that, for example, every blade of grass need not be painted as it ends up resulting in subject fatigue. I feel that the viewing experience is much more engaging when the work simply suggests an illusion of reality while allowing the viewer to fill in a lot of the meaning and detail with imagination.

   
   
   
   
3. Same Medium in an Art Series
   
   Use the same medium throughout a series of artworks.
   
   Hiroko Sakai creates art in the medium of oil paint. Here is what she says about her artistic medium.
   
   

   I am an oil painter.

   I used to work on my art with various mediums, such as air brush, pastel, tile mosaic, etc... but after all, I ended up captured by oil. I love oil.

   I feel that Oil is the basis of paintings.

   When I paint in Oil, I feel as though I'm sharing inspirations with old masters. And the slow dry process of Oil gives me plenty of time to communicate with my canvas, giving me time to think as much as I need.

   
   
   

4. Same Size or Similar Dimensions in a Painting Series
    
   Consider creating several paintings on the same sized canvas, or canvases with similar dimensions (ie square). These generally look better displayed together than a series of odd sizes, and are easier to sell.
   
   Check out Davide Barbanera’s geometric minimalist styled paintings, many of which were created on similar sized canvases.
   
   
   
5. Same Palette for Paintings in a Series
    
   To ensure visual continuity in a collection of artworks, many artists use the same palette of colors.
   
   One artist who does this well is abstract expressionist painter Rob Heath, as you may see in his cityscape paintings.

 

What do you think about painting series? Have you worked in a series for your own artworks?