Artpromotivate

Introducing our New Design Blog – Designpromotivate!

I am very excited to be finally officially introducing our new design blog <a title="Designpromotivate" href="http://www.designpromotivate.com/" rel="nofollow">Designpromotivate</a>! I have been waiting for the right time to introduce it here, and feel – now is the time! It’s been about 4 months since publishing the first post and 55 articles have been published. The blog has undergone two design changes in that time, until I finally settled on an appropriate theme. Articles cover topics such as Photoshop, logos, design inspiration, web design, typography, social sharing widgets, Wordpress themes, creative spotlights and more.   <img title="design blog" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin: 0px auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="design blog" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yE63f_jcuGA/UkiGUZVgK6I/AAAAAAAAR0Q/QGalXvkqgNw/design-blog%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="600" height="377">   This blog includes resources, <a title="inspiration" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/09/famous-inspirational-art-quotes.html">inspiration</a> and information for web designers, graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, artists and other creative people. The main reason I decided to create this new blog is - I wanted to write about design related topics, but felt it did not relate to some of the audience at Artpromotivate. I have had an interest in <a title="web design" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/06/webydo-fast-easy-online-web-design.html">web design</a> for a long time. I haven’t had any professional training in that area, but have been taking the DIY approach – reading lots of articles online, watching Youtube videos, buying helpful ebooks on the subject and using online website builders such as <a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow">Webydo</a>. This is the same approach I took before I began writing at Artpromotivate (since I did not receive any art marketing training in <a title="art school" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/08/disadvantages-of-art-schools-bad.html">art school</a>).

Introducing our New Design Blog – Designpromotivate!

I am very excited to be finally officially introducing our new design blog Designpromotivate ! I have been waiting for the right time to int...

Building a Portfolio Website for Art – Logo and Navigation Menu

<a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img title="logo-and-menus" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="logo-and-menus" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xkTGm_RvojI/UkTSeJ_iFJI/AAAAAAAARwM/vHl7pCLzJT4/logoandmenus7.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="300"></a> In past posts in this portfolio website tutorial series we have covered creating a slideshow, setting up pages,  and creating a thumbnail gallery, bio and contact page. In this tutorial, we continue where we left off last time, and focus on the logo and menu in the header section. These are our past posts if this is your first time here: <ol> <li><a title="Creating a Portfolio Website" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/classic-artist-portfolio-website.html">Creating a Portfolio Website</a> <li><a title="Creating an Art Slideshow" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/portfolio-website-series-how-to-create.html">Creating an Art Slideshow</a> <li><a title="Thumbnail Gallery Page" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/portfolio-thumbnail-gallery.html">Thumbnail Gallery Page</a> <li><a title="Bio and Contact Page" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/portfolio-website-bio-contact.html">Bio and Contact Page</a></li></li></li></li></ol>   For first part of this tutorial, I will be using my name as the logo. But, you can easily include your own unique logo to the top of your portfolio website if you want.

Building a Portfolio Website for Art – Logo and Navigation Menu

In past posts in this portfolio website tutorial series we have covered creating a slideshow, setting up pages, and creating a thumbnail g...

10 Artists Speak about their Day-time Jobs

Unless you own a money tree, you probably have had to work at a job other than art at one time or another. Even the most famous artists have...

Digital Art by Peter Dunckelmann - Binary Beauty

Peter Dunckelmann Melbourne, Australia Mediums: Digital photography, prints on paper Style: Abstract Favorite Quote: "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." Einstein Favorite Book: Too many to mention. One fascinating book I read recently: Roberto Bolaño, "2666." Favorite Movie: anything by Pedro Almodovar. <img title="Peter Dunckelmann digital art" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Peter Dunckelmann digital art" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u25I2WvpNEY/UkIN7rDJaiI/AAAAAAAARr0/7ySTHvfwGNg/PeterDunckelmanndigitalart6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="510"> For my art the computer is more important than the camera. I manipulate photos digitally. I don't call myself a photographer anymore.

Digital Art by Peter Dunckelmann - Binary Beauty

Peter Dunckelmann Melbourne, Australia Mediums : Digital photography, prints on paper Style : Abstract Favorite Quote : " Everyth...

5 Inspirational Youtube Videos for Artists - Make Good Art

<img title="make good art" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="make good art" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4hhYU69tzQg/UkEa_sZkIgI/AAAAAAAARq0/DV5AORM1S1k/make-good-art%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="300" height="166"> All kinds of videos can be found on Youtube, from music videos to tutorials. It is one of my favorite websites to go to when I just want to relax, and waste some time (I don’t watch much T.V. these days). It is certainly a great place for artists, and includes art instruction videos, painting demonstrations, tutorials and much more. Some of my favorite videos though are those which inspire! Every now and then, I find an amazing  <a title="inspirational" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/03/20-art-inspiration-ideas-for-creativity.html">inspirational</a> video which I love to watch over and over. I have collected some of these for this post.

5 Inspirational Youtube Videos for Artists - Make Good Art

All kinds of videos can be found on Youtube, from music videos to tutorials. It is one of my favorite websites to go to when I just want to...

Oil Painting Techniques and Tips for Beginner Artists

I’ve tried acrylic painting extensively, but have always had a preference for oil painting. I have listed in this post oil painting tips and basic techniques for beginner artists. If you have anything to add, please do so in the comments. Also take a look at this post: <a title="How to Make Homemade Oil Paint" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/07/how-to-make-your-own-oil-paint-home.html">How to Make Homemade Oil Paint</a> I also have included some oil paintings from artists featured in our artist spotlights.   <ol> <li>Fat over lean to prevent cracking. Using fat over lean (thick over thin) in oil painting can help to avoid cracking during the drying process. When upper layers of oil paint dry faster than lower layers, cracking often happens. Oil paint straight from the tube takes longer to dry than when it is thinned with mineral spirits or turpentine. This is why oil painters often start with paint washes and in subsequent layers decrease the amount of thinner proportionately.  <img title="how YOU doing dorothy lorenze" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="how YOU doing dorothy lorenze" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-luas6Wrgigc/Uj9oghJFwwI/AAAAAAAARoQ/l1iPdTm2QRQ/how_YOU_doingdorothylorenze4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="480"> How you Doing – <a title="Dorothy Lorenze" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/08/dorothy-lorenze-adding-color-to-my-life.html">Dorothy Lorenze</a> </li></ol>

Oil Painting Techniques and Tips for Beginner Artists

I’ve tried acrylic painting extensively, but have always had a preference for oil painting. I have listed in this post oil painting tips an...

Alyson Sheldrake - Living the Dream in the Algarve

<img title="Alyson Sheldrake art" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Alyson Sheldrake art" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vdw7fiXunRU/Uj41WaXNQZI/AAAAAAAARmY/njUzZWVZil8/AlysonSheldrakeart9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="300"> Alyson Sheldrake UK artist living in the Algarve, Portugal Mediums: Acrylics Style: Modern and contemporary Favorite Quote: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up” <a title="Pablo Picasso" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/11/about-pablo-picasso-paintings.html">Pablo Picasso</a> Favorite Books: The 'Dark Materials trilogy' by Philip Pullman; anything by Nicholas Sparks and 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho Favorite Movies: 'What Dreams May Come' and 'Shakespeare in Love'   I am a self taught artist, currently painting a wide range of modern style landscapes and seascapes within my self-titled ‘New Wave’ Collection, alongside bold and bright flowers and <a title="Pet Portraits" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/09/cathy-moothart-pet-on-the-wall.html">Pet Portraits</a>. I gave up a successful career in education to pursue my dream of having my own art studio and becoming an artist.

Alyson Sheldrake - Living the Dream in the Algarve

Alyson Sheldrake UK artist living in the Algarve, Portugal Mediums : Acrylics Style : Modern and contemporary Favorite Quote : “Every...

Leonor Braga - Living on the Edge of Two Cultures and Following My Dreams

Leonor Braga Orlando, Florida, United States - originally from from Caracas, Venezuela. Medium: I work with different types of mediums including oil, acrylic, ink , pastels and texture. But for now I have been enjoying working with acrylic and textures on canvas doing <a title="abstract art" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/06/20-colorful-abstract-paintings-for.html">abstract art</a> and some traditional art. Style: Contemporary Art, I enjoy to paint textured abstract art and some traditional art. Favorite quote: “The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have.” Woody Allen Favorite book: Who Moved My Cheese? - Spencer Johnson, Md. Favorite movie: What dreams may come – Robin Williams.   <img title="Espiga leonor braga" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Espiga leonor braga" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t_RHtNS_7X8/Ujz7GOASndI/AAAAAAAARkM/b0uoCqfmhCU/Espigaleonorbraga6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="364">

Leonor Braga - Living on the Edge of Two Cultures and Following My Dreams

Leonor Braga Orlando, Florida, United States - originally from from Caracas, Venezuela. Medium : I work with different types of mediums in...

Creating a Portfolio Website - Bio and Contact Page

The Bio and Contact pages are two essential pages of portfolio websites. The Bio (artist statement or biography) is the place for visitors to read about the person behind the art. It can include accomplishments, exhibitions and other background information. <a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img title="bio and contact page" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="bio and contact page" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jlMK8c_iVII/Ujs4DOWBHsI/AAAAAAAARiY/a_RfDysePNE/bio-and-contact-page%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="300"></a> The Bio page also often includes a photo of the artist at work and/or one or two artworks. The Contact page often has necessary information to contact the artist directly, such as email, telephone number (optional), social profiles and more. Ideally, a contact page should have at the very minimum a contact form and instructions for those viewing. In previous articles in this series, we covered the setup of pages, creating a slideshow, and adding images to the portfolio page. Find these posts here: <ol> <li><a title="Basic Setup of a Portfolio" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/classic-artist-portfolio-website.html">Basic Setup of a Portfolio</a> <li><a title="Create a Slideshow on the Home Page" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/portfolio-website-series-how-to-create.html">Create a Slideshow on the Home Page</a> <li><a title="Creating a Gallery Page with Thumbnails" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/portfolio-thumbnail-gallery.html" rel="nofollow">Creating a Gallery Page with Thumbnails</a></li></li></li></ol> In this tutorial, we continue this series, showing you how to create a Bio and Contact page for a portfolio website using <a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Webydo</a>.

Creating a Portfolio Website - Bio and Contact Page

The Bio and Contact pages are two essential pages of portfolio websites. The Bio (artist statement or biography) is the place for visitors ...

Get Inspired by Following Pinterest Illustration and Art Inspiration Boards

<img title="art inspiration boards" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="art inspiration boards" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JgbSurkcF0g/UjoSDanlRiI/AAAAAAAARgM/20fj61xxQOw/artinspirationboards6.png?imgmax=800" width="300" height="250"> If you are ever stuck for inspiration, I highly recommend hopping on over to Pinterest and following some great inspiration boards. Pinterest is filled with them, so much so that it may be difficult to find good ones to follow. So that you do not have to wade through all those pages yourself, I have complied a list of some of the best boards at Pinterest for art inspiration. Here are the previous articles in this Pinterest series: <a title="Ideas for Creating Pinterest Boards" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/04/ideas-for-creating-pinterest-boards.html">Ideas for Creating Pinterest Boards</a> <a title="Pinterest Etiquette" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/04/pinterest-etiquette-rules-to-follow.html" rel=" ">Pinterest Etiquette</a>

Get Inspired by Following Pinterest Illustration and Art Inspiration Boards

If you are ever stuck for inspiration, I highly recommend hopping on over to Pinterest and following some great inspiration boards . Pinter...

Ion Vincent Danu - Drawing and Painting Saved My Life

Ion Vincent Danu Visual artist, illustrator, photographer Quebec, Canada, now for a while in Sibiu, Romania, Europe. Mediums: acrylics, watercolor, ink, pastel, Style: An (original, I hope) mixture of post-impressionism, expressionism and <a title="surrealism" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/08/surreal-paintings-visionary-art.html">surrealism</a>, depending on mood; sometimes, abstract expressionism too. Favorite Quote: “Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, the melancholia, the panic fear which is inherent in the human situation.”  Graham Greene, « Ways of Escape » Favorite Book: Patrick Süskind « Perfume » Favorite Movies: The Good Year, Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, too)   <img title="Crablike Creature" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Crablike Creature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bS7eIu-Uflc/UjkAr9hehQI/AAAAAAAARbk/2nWh4ASFH7M/Crablikecreatureionvincentdanu6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="406"> Crab-like Creature © Ion Vincent Danu/ Dan Iordache

Ion Vincent Danu - Drawing and Painting Saved My Life

Ion Vincent Danu Visual artist, illustrator, photographer Quebec, Canada, now for a while in Sibiu, Romania, Europe . Mediums : acrylic...

10 Beautiful Paintings of Birds Flying and on Branches

Birds have historically been a popular subject in fine art. In Renaissance and Gothic art, birds were used as visual symbolism, and often ha...

Graham Matthews Art - Paintings from my Fish Series and More

It’s been a while since I have shown any of my paintings at Artpromotivate. In this post, I thought I would display some of what I have been up to regarding my painting for 2013. These are two past articles featuring my own art: <a title="In Progress Paintings" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/04/new-paintings-by-graham-matthews-in.html">In Progress Paintings</a> <a title="New Oil Painting Series" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/01/my-new-oil-painting-series.html">New Oil Painting Series</a> That second article actually shows some in progress versions of some paintings displayed below. There are certain themes I have been working on – the fishery, imagery of Newfoundland, and also often underlying psychological elements in each artwork. Please let me know what you think in the comments below this post. Thanks!   <h3>Big Catch</h3> <img title="big catch" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="big catch" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oE75u-dxNxM/UjacEsbb50I/AAAAAAAARYs/SRBKI4HS-JM/big-catch%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="477"> Big Catch – Oil on canvas – 16 x 20” - 2013 Big Catch originated from two separate source photographs of my own. The image on the left of the man holding the huge cod was photographed during the food fishery in Newfoundland, this past summer. Cod were very plentiful this summer and many of them were very large! The 3 boats came from a separate photograph taken two years ago during the same yearly cod fishery.

Graham Matthews Art - Paintings from my Fish Series and More

It’s been a while since I have shown any of my paintings at Artpromotivate. In this post, I thought I would display some of what I have been...

Lana Arft - Acrylic Paintings and Mixed Media Artworks

Lana Arft Midwest, USA Mediums: acrylic and mixed media Style: abstract mostly Favorite Quote: “A successful marriage requires falling in love over and over again, always with the same person.” Favorite Book: Black Dahlia Avenger Favorite Movie: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory   <img title="Cloudy Night" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Cloudy Night" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s35nd2W-_Bo/UjUPwmkv5mI/AAAAAAAARWc/SB4Sa2EQ1IY/CloudyNight6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="412">   I started painting "professionally" just last year. I had painted in high school but stopped after I got married. When Facebook came around I made an album of some paintings I had done. People really liked them and a friend of mine commissioned a piece from me. So I quit working retail to try to make a living with my art.

Lana Arft - Acrylic Paintings and Mixed Media Artworks

Lana Arft Midwest, USA Mediums : acrylic and mixed media Style : abstract mostly Favorite Quote : “A successful marriage requires fall...

Emotional Cocktails - Fantasy Still Life by Ksusha Scott

Ksusha Scott USA Mediums: Oil and acrylic Style: Painting Favorite Quote: “THE MEANING OF LIFE IS TO FIND YOUR GIFT. The purpose of life is to give it away”   <img title="road to serenity" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="road to serenity" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tiqrHkVbt4M/UjPagpvsIsI/AAAAAAAARTk/qmpEWlRI858/roadtoserenity4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="733">   My name is Ksusha Scott. I was born in Russia and migrated to United States at the age of 19. Art was always not even a part of my life but more like part of me. While attending music school I was always looking for more ways to express myself and started to paint. I attended <a title="art school" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/08/disadvantages-of-art-schools-bad.html">art school</a> in Russia for 4 years. But no school can give you a such experience of emotions for paintings as life itself can.

Emotional Cocktails - Fantasy Still Life by Ksusha Scott

Ksusha Scott USA Mediums : Oil and acrylic Style : Painting Favorite Quote : “THE MEANING OF LIFE IS TO FIND YOUR GIFT. The purpose of...

How to Create a Portfolio Thumbnail Gallery Page

Artist portfolios often have a selection of thumbnail images on one gallery page, or multiple pages. For this tutorial, I will show you how to create one of these pages using <a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Webydo</a>, then setting the images to open up in lightbox view when clicked. <a title="Portfolio Thumbnail Gallery" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img title="portfolio thumbnail gallery" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="portfolio thumbnail gallery" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CWD2Ig5YliU/UjIXYxn36GI/AAAAAAAARRo/8HVOFoXrAJ0/portfolio-thumbnail-gallery%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="300"></a>Before attempting this tutorial, it is important to decide how you would like your final portfolio to appear. This will obviously depend on the number of images you plan on displaying, and whether they can be categorized. Take a look at other artist websites, and see how they have their pages setup. Most portfolios are setup in either of these ways: <ul> <li>A main portfolio menu is used, often having a dropdown menu linking to various categorized pages. <li>Create a page of thumbnails, which are linked to various pages of your portfolio. <li>If you only want to display your best pieces, you can show them all on one page – and having them appear in a lighbox when clicked. This is the method we will be using for this tutorial.</li></li></li></ul>   <h3>How to Create a Portfolio Website Series</h3> These are the previous posts in this website building series: Part 1 - <a title="Build a Classic Artist Portfolio Website" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/classic-artist-portfolio-website.html">Build a Classic Artist Portfolio Website</a> Part 2 - <a title="Creating a Slideshow" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/portfolio-website-series-how-to-create.html">Creating a Slideshow</a>

How to Create a Portfolio Thumbnail Gallery Page

Artist portfolios often have a selection of thumbnail images on one gallery page, or multiple pages. For this tutorial, I will show you how ...

Tumblr for Artists – Tips to Promote Art and Find Inspiration

<img title="artists-on-tumblr" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="artists-on-tumblr" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HiT-eYZU668/UjDDCZv2ptI/AAAAAAAARP0/fJESmgPZacc/artistsontumblr6.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="300"> I’ve been spending some time at Tumblr, posting some of my artworks and following many artists. It didn’t take long for me to notice that Tumblr has a very active creative community. Many artists are using Tumblr for inspiration and art promotion. Last time I shared a tutorial and tips for setting up a Tumblr art blog. Find this post here: <a title="How to Create a Tumblr Blog" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/how-to-create-tumblr-blog-artists.html">How to Create a Tumblr Blog</a> This time, I will go over some of the features and settings of Tumblr for finding inspiration and promoting art.

Tumblr for Artists – Tips to Promote Art and Find Inspiration

I’ve been spending some time at Tumblr, posting some of my artworks and following many artists. It didn’t take long for me to notice that ...

Brandy Manuel - Expressionism, Realism and Cathartic Artworks

Brandy Manuel Midwest US Mediums: Charcoal, pastels, oils, acrylic Style: Expressionism, Realism Favorite Quote: "Perfect freedom is reserved for the man who lives by his own work, and in that work does what he wants to do." - R. G. Collingwood Favorite Book: The Fault in Our Stars - John Green Favorite Movies: Secondhand Lions and The Secret of Kells   <img title="Brandy Manuel Wash Away" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Brandy Manuel Wash Away" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TdZqgn510DM/Ui-Wls9dkEI/AAAAAAAAROA/n-mbVathg9M/BrandyManuelWashAway6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="394"> Wash Away © Brandy Manuel - Color pencil. Heavily influenced by symbolism found in Tarot cards   My name is Brandy Manuel and I am a visual artist from Oklahoma. I am a self-taught artist, but I did get my B.A. in Fine Art. The way I see it getting a degree didn't teach me how to draw or paint, but why I do it.  I used to draw animals when I was a kid, but as I got older my work became more symbolic, and eventually I realized my drawing were a way to deal with my <a title="stress" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/04/avoid-stress-have-fun-selling-art.html">stress</a> and the hard times in life. That's when I decided I would create art not only to express myself, but in some way encourage my viewers to move on and heal their wounds.

Brandy Manuel - Expressionism, Realism and Cathartic Artworks

Brandy Manuel Midwest US Mediums : Charcoal, pastels, oils, acrylic Style : Expressionism, Realism Favorite Quote : " Perfect fre...

Ways Artists can Protect Eyesight While on Computer

Sitting in front of a computer screen for extended periods of time, especially at night, can play havoc on eyesight. I know, because I have been having problems with eye strain. My eyesight is still great and I don’t wear glasses. But, I feel that if I don’t take some steps now, I could be facing vision problems in the future. <img title="artist eyesight" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="artist eyesight" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t3TWevOxD8Q/Ui5Mw8x1OiI/AAAAAAAARNU/n6O0f25rQO8/artist-eyesight%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="200"> As an artist, it would be a nightmare to lose my vision. It’s something I need to choose colors and paint in detail. I also need good eyesight for my long bouts of writing and promoting online.   I think most of us who have good eyesight take it for granted. I know I have. Its something I never thought about until I started having problems with eye strain. I certainly would not be able to do the things I do now without my eyes. But I am taking steps to curtail this problem now, before it gets worse. I have been researching some ways of protecting my eyes while on the computer, and thought it would be a good idea to share it with you. Disclaimer: I am not an expert on eye care. If you are having real problems with your eyes, please seek the advice of a qualified eye care professional. Recommended: <a title="Danger of Comparisons with other Artists" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/comparing-with-other-artists-trap.html">Danger of Comparisons with other Artists</a>

Ways Artists can Protect Eyesight While on Computer

Sitting in front of a computer screen for extended periods of time, especially at night, can play havoc on eyesight. I know, because I have ...

How to Create a Tumblr Blog – Tutorial for Artists

<img title="tumblr for artists" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="tumblr for artists" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fj5tbFRqchg/Ui0GUoYgrbI/AAAAAAAARKc/gxnrLOGLF8I/tumblrforartists6.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="300"> I’ve noticed a substantial number of artists using Tumblr for promoting art. Tumblr is a blogging and social media platform, and has nearly 140 million blogs with over 60 billion posts! Tumblr has become a great place to network with other artists and promote art. Reblogging allows others to freely repost anything on Tumblr, and has allowed the growth of thousands of blogs devoted to featuring posts around a certain topic. The tagging system is especially powerful here, as it allows posts to appear on separate pages based on the tag. For example, the art tag can be found at this page: <a title="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/art" href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/art" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/art</a>   One of the best things about Tumblr is the ease of posting. A simple post does not have to be lengthy. It can consist of either a link, some text, photos, chat text, quotes, video or audio. So if you are stuck for time, Tumblr may be a good blog to have. For others who already have profiles and a blog elsewhere, it can function as a way to attract visitors to your main website. Below, I give a walkthrough of signing up for Tumblr, setting up your account, and an explanation of the types of Tumblr blog posts. You may also be interested in this post: <a title="Google+ for Artists" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/google-plus-for-artists-about-page.html">Google+ for Artists</a>

How to Create a Tumblr Blog – Tutorial for Artists

I’ve noticed a substantial number of artists using Tumblr for promoting art . Tumblr is a blogging and social media platform, and has nearl...

Debra Purcell - Nueve Pointillism - Triumphant works of Color

Debra Purcell Ohio, USA Mediums:  Acrylic Style:  Nueve Pointillism Favorite Quote:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your on own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”  Prov 3:5-7   <img title="indigo Debra Purcell" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="indigo Debra Purcell" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UbT5w5CDDug/UiucyJocLbI/AAAAAAAARHM/WOhdHXQBDkk/indigoDebraPurcell6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="422"> Indigo © Debra Purcell This 20x16 inch acrylic on canvas painting show the serenity of an indigo bird resting upon a branch.  I attempted to create prospective of distance.  It also represents how this tiny creation does not worry and understands that God will provide.   I am a self taught artist from Lakewood, Ohio who has been painting for only 6 1/2 years.  I am formerly trained as a RN with certifications in chemical dependency counseling and in April 2012 started dedicating myself to a <a title="painting career" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/11/quit-dayjob-full-time-artist.html">painting career</a>.

Debra Purcell - Nueve Pointillism - Triumphant works of Color

Debra Purcell Ohio, USA Mediums : Acrylic Style : Nueve Pointillism Favorite Quote : “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean ...

Kevin Nodland - An Artist Trying to Make a Living Creating Art

Kevin Nodland (NODZ)Visual artist, Illustrator, Painter Pinellas Park, Florida, United States   <img title="Earth Kevin Nodland" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Earth Kevin Nodland" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UhLzalSXy70/UipzlurL3CI/AAAAAAAARE8/cfVI9f5ZVNs/EarthKevinNodland6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="367"> EARTH © NODZ/ Kevin Nodland, is my new technique of painting abstract art. The colors represent the Earth, looking at it from outer space.   Mediums:   Pen and ink, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, acrylic, watercolor, and digital design. Style:   Abstract expressionism, Surrealism, Digital Expression Favorite Quote:   Work with it, NOT against it, by Kevin Nodland Favorite Book:   The Business of Being an Artist Favorite Movies:   Die Hard, Its a Wonderful Life, Waterboy, Kicking and Screaming.

Kevin Nodland - An Artist Trying to Make a Living Creating Art

Kevin Nodland (NODZ) Visual artist, Illustrator, Painter Pinellas Park, Florida, United States EARTH © NODZ/ Kevin Nodland, is my ne...

Portfolio Website Series – How to Create a Slideshow on your Homepage

A slideshow on the home page of a portfolio website is ideally a presentation of the artist’s best artworks. <a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img title="slideshow" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="slideshow" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uRqqtFN5hoI/Uiknr1Q-x6I/AAAAAAAAREQ/p-zTa_CoOO4/slideshow6.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="300"></a>There are numerous advantages for having a slideshow on the homepage of your portfolio website. Artworks will be displayed large, and it will be the first thing any visitor sees. Slideshows are attention getters. It is important to showcase your best stuff up front and in the face of collectors. If they show an interest, they will browse the other pages of your portfolio. The last time in this portfolio creation series using <a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Webydo</a>, I gave you guidelines on how to setup pages of a portfolio website. Please read the first part of this series first, before attempting this tutorial. <a title="Building a Classic Portfolio Website" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/classic-artist-portfolio-website.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Building a Classic Portfolio Website</a>   You can follow along or go off into your own direction anytime you want. The point of this series is to help you with the technical side of designing a portfolio site, so that you will have a foundation on which to build your own unique website.

Portfolio Website Series – How to Create a Slideshow on your Homepage

A slideshow on the home page of a portfolio website is ideally a presentation of the artist’s best artworks. There are numerous advantages ...

The Trap of Comparing Ourselves with Other Artists

Comparing ourselves to other artists is a trap we sometimes fall into. Have you ever said something similar to these things to yourself? <ul> <li>Debra is such an amazing artist. I wish I could paint like that. (Even though Debra has far more practice and training than you.) <li>Why is Brad selling more than I am when his art is so bad? <li>I’ve been creating art for years, yet these young people just out of <a title="art school" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/08/advantages-of-art-school.html">art school</a> are selling more than I am. <li>Why am I not successful, when other artists with seemingly no talent are hugely famous? <li>Why is a certain artist selling so much at their <a title="Facebook page" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/07/how-to-use-facebook-interest-lists.html">Facebook page</a>, when no one will buy any from mine? <li>Why did my family member buy someone else’s art, and not mine? <li>Kolby makes painting seem so easy in his Youtube video. Why can’t I create art that fast? <li>I can’t compete with… </li></li></li></li></li></li></li></li></ul> (*not real people mentioned above) Look, I’ve felt many of these things so I can relate. It’s very hard not to doubt or second guess ourselves, especially when we see so many artists succeeding - when we are not. We may think what’s the point of it all? Why should we keep creating art if we don’t sell as many as others seem to? How can we compete with all the other artists who are selling - or should we be competing at all?

The Trap of Comparing Ourselves with Other Artists

Comparing ourselves to other artists is a trap we sometimes fall into. Have you ever said something similar to these things to yourself? ...

Google Plus for Artists – How to Setup an Awesome About Page

<img title="google plus for artist" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="google plus for artist" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-06LO4GXbTq8/UiacfvN8p2I/AAAAAAAAQ-k/gn6vv3WyjFM/google-plus-for-artist%25255B13%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="400" height="410"> The About page is the most important part of a Google+ profile. A completed About page will help achieve higher rankings in Google search. Completing the Contributor section will help in claiming authorship of blogs and articles you write online. A good cover photo and well written Introduction section will entice visitors to follow you. I recently updated my own Google+ about page (finally!), and thought I would share with you some tips on completing your own. For some reasons why we recommend Google+ for artists, please refer to this article: <a title="4 Good Reasons Artists Should Use Google+ for Promoting Art" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/08/4-good-reasons-artists-should-use.html">4 Good Reasons Artists Should Use Google+ for Promoting Art</a>   For this tutorial, I will assume that you already have a Google+ account. If you do not have one yet, please refer to our previous tutorial: <a title="Google+ is an Amazing Place for Artists" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/01/google-is-amazing-place-for-artists.html">Google+ is an Amazing Place for Artists</a>

Google Plus for Artists – How to Setup an Awesome About Page

The About page is the most important part of a Google+ profile. A completed About page will help achieve higher rankings in Google search...

What Influences Artists to Make Art?

Artists are influenced by just about anything – their life, environment, childhood, school, work, television, movies, other artists, etc. I ...

How to Build a Classic Artist Portfolio Website with Webydo

Artists on the web have no shortage of options for building a portfolio website. Artists can get a free website (which is unprofessional in my opinion – read <a title="The Greatest Internet Myth" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/10/free-websites-internet-myth.html">The Greatest Internet Myth</a>). Many of the paid options involve expensive monthly fees. Hosting websites can be cheaper, but requires technical knowledge of cPanel and ftp, and the cost for hiring a web designer could run into the thousands. <a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img title="create portfolio website" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="create portfolio website" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wXCFJ-WEcu0/UiOMGrho5PI/AAAAAAAAQ6A/5qqoNbtAj3U/createportfoliowebsite.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="300"></a>These are some reasons I like <a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Webydo</a>, and am using it for this portfolio tutorial series: <ol> <li>Artists have full control of the website and can redesign it (or parts of it) anytime. For myself, this is a big plus. I find working from a template very restricting in that I am always confined to the template. With Webydo, its easy to add elements without messing up the entire design. <li>The Webydo CMS is so easy to use. If you are familiar with Photoshop or Gimp, this will be a breeze. <li>If an artist decides to create another site, such as an online store or blog, they can easily create and access it from the same Webydo dashboard. There will be no dealing with cPanel or uploading files by ftp. Everything is handled by the Webydo DMS. <li>There is a certain satisfaction which comes with building a site oneself, and having complete control over its design.</li></ol> To learn more about Webydo, please read these posts: <a title="Designing Websites with Webydo" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/07/designing-websites-with-webydo.html">Designing Websites with Webydo</a> <a title="Webydo Design Business Branding" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/08/web-designers-brand-business-logo.html">Webydo Design Business Branding</a> This tutorial series is meant as a general guide in creating your own website. If you are unfamiliar with Webydo, just follow along. Then, use that knowledge to create a unique portfolio of your own. If you have your own graphics, banner and logo, use them to personalize your website. I will be as thorough as I can so there will not be any confusion. If you need additional help, watch the great Webydo training videos, as mentioned at the end of this article. Remember, if you ever make a mistake, just hit the undo icon in the top right corner – and don’t forget to save often.<a name="more"></a> <h3>Building a Portfolio Website Series – Setting up your Pages</h3>   <ol> <li>After logging into the <a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Webydo</a> dashboard, click +New Website at the top. <li>How would you like to start? <img title="webydo website options" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="webydo website options" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2WQ8dRGDMEA/UiOMHSc504I/AAAAAAAAQ6I/bepnUZ5mj2Q/webydowebsiteoptions6.png?imgmax=800" width="600" height="190">  We are presented with 3 options for designing a website – Design, Layout and Blank. With Design we will start out with a pre-designed template. This can be used as inspiration for designing a unique website. Basically we would be beginning with a fully designed website, and working backwards. For the Layout option, we begin with a basic structure. Certain pages are already added, and the website also contains site elements such as a contact form, image boxes, header and text boxes. With the Blank option, you begin with a blank slate. The Layout option seems like the simplest way to go about building a website, with part of the work already done for us, so we will choose this one. Click Layout, and select Portfolio Layout. Wait for the Webydo CMS to load. <li>Pages background color Hit the Site Presets button at the top most menu. Click the color box under Page - Background, and choose a background color. Select any color you like – it can be changed anytime. We will be selecting the second last palette option at the bottom of the color chooser popup - #CCCCCC Hit OK to apply this color to all pages of the portfolio website. If you would like an image for your background instead, hit the little image icon here to upload one. Tip: Want a full background image just for your homepage? First have your homepage selected, then click anywhere on the background. Open the Properties Panel at the right if it doesn’t open automatically. Select the image icon here to upload a background image to just the home page. <img title="website background color" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="website background color" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vHv8UijsEks/UiOMIHpWL1I/AAAAAAAAQ6Q/_KjUVsLRpGY/websitebackgroundcolor6.png?imgmax=800" width="387" height="324"> <li>The first thing we are confronted with are 4 pages – Home, Gallery, Contact us, and About us. You will notice that the home page has a thumbnail gallery of images, but for the purpose of this tutorial we will be changing this. If you like it this way, you can keep the page like it is and just follow along. The Gallery page has a slideshow. This is the one we would like to see on the home page, but will be changing it to a full screen slideshow. Click Pages at the top. <img title="webydo pages" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="webydo pages" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZISQ0ikXhT4/UiOMI7CkfBI/AAAAAAAAQ6Y/e3I2EmB7ECo/webydopages8.png?imgmax=800" width="600" height="217"> With Home selected, hit Duplicate. This creates an exact copy of your Home page. Notice that the new page is also named Home, but has different icon beside it. We will later be using this as the Gallery page. <li>Now, go to the real Home page, and select everything in the main area by holding down Shift and clicking. Once all the parts with “Insert your Slogan here”, and image and text boxes are selected (as shown below), right-click on one of the elements and choose Delete in the menu. Now, you are left with a blank page with only a header and footer. <img title="webydo select elements" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="webydo select elements" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0LyY0V7gSV0/UiOMJoO4izI/AAAAAAAAQ6g/aQOeB7Moo1k/webydoselectelements6.png?imgmax=800" width="550" height="325">  In the top menu, grab the Gallery icon, and drag it to the main area. We will deal with this page later. Now there is some cleaning up to do. <li>Go to Pages in the top most menu, and select the Gallery page. In the options to the right, hit Delete and confirm. Now, in the second page titled “Home”, click “Page settings” in the options. Enter “Portfolio” or something similar for the title, then hit Save. In the same way, change the titles for the “About Us” and “Contact Us” to Bio and Contact. Notice that you can also reorder the page here by using the directional icon to the left of the titles. Drag the Portfolio page just below the Home page, then hit X in the upper right corner to close that menu.</li></ol>   That’s all for this part of the tutorial on creating a portfolio website with <a title="Webydo" href="http://www.webydo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Webydo</a>. While waiting for the next part, you may decide you want to continue on with your website.  If you need any help along the way, don’t forget to visit the Webydo Help menu. Find it at the top right of the CMS. Watch the video tutorials and find extra guidance in the Knowledge Base. Also, hit “Get to know your workspace” to get a guided tour. This is another article we have written about Webydo: <a title="Easy Website Design" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/06/webydo-fast-easy-online-web-design.html">Easy Website Design</a> If you have any questions, leave a comment or contact me via the contact form below. UPDATE! Find part 2 of this series here: <a title="Creating a Slideshow" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/09/portfolio-website-series-how-to-create.html">Creating a Slideshow</a>

How to Build a Classic Artist Portfolio Website with Webydo

Artists on the web have no shortage of options for building a portfolio website. Artists can get a free website (which is unprofessional in ...

Deborah Parks - Creating Art From Nature

Deborah M. Parks Southeast USA Mediums:  Acrylics, oils, graphite, color pencil Style:  Abstract Realism     <img title="Pheasant deborah parks" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Pheasant deborah parks" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KfRD_7gP7g4/UiK-OiHBD9I/AAAAAAAAQ4g/rgunKXUplCo/Pheasantdeborahparks6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="640"> Pheasant © Deborah M. Parks (My professor threatened to flunk me because I was spending too much time in the mountains and skipping drawing studio so I completed this design on Christmas vacation...he never bothered me again!)   As a young child I was fortunate to spend my summers in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  I was fascinated by the intricate and varied designs of <a title="Nature" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/06/nature-art-landscape-paintings.html" rel=" ">Nature</a>; a bird's feathers, a flower, the striations in a rock or the veins of a leaf.  I create designs found In Nature in an abstract yet realistic way.  I believe there is an undefined energy in the natural world; one that is not normally seen.  Abstracting a natural object and focusing on the elemental design and color of that object expresses this energy field.  I often incorporate the use of circles in my drawings.  While the circles focus attention to both positive and negative spaces, the circles also represent the mandala.  "As for the center, that is the essence.  As for the circumference, that is the grasping.  Thus grasping the essence."

Deborah Parks - Creating Art From Nature

Deborah M. Parks Southeast USA Mediums : Acrylics, oils, graphite, color pencil Style : Abstract Realism Pheasant © Deborah M...