COPPER WATER

COPPER WATER
8" x 6" Low Profile Gallery Wrap Canvas
No need to frame - ready to hang

Now available at Artfinder

Although not intentional, there is something about this painting which reminds me of Claude Monets paintings of London.

PACKING FOR PLEIN AIR ALL MEDIUMS - GLACIAL LAKE

GLACIAL LAKE
6" X 8" Canvas Panel
Black Frame
$95
This painting is in the LCCH Exhibition so contact me if you would like to purchase and I will check availability. Ships within 3 days.

PLEIN AIR
Spring has definitely sprung in our parts. Yesterday was screaming hot, but apart from that, we've had wonderful spring weather. An Artists' thoughts start drifting towards plein air, but many of us never get out there because we're not organized. Here are some wonderful articles which will help, no matter what your medium.

PACKING FOR PLEIN AIR

BLUSHING MAGPIE

BLUSHING MAGPIE
6" X 8" Strathmore Windpower
Sold unframed (image is an example of how it would look with a soft white mat and brushed silver frame.



I completed this pretty painting last year, but I've never framed it. When I discovered the matshop MAT-O-MATIC ap, I wanted to see how it would look in a brushed silver frame. I love it.

The blushing magpie is a real bird that I saw just outside my home. The pink was for real. When I searched the internet there were more sightings of pink magpies in other parts of the world but none locally. It's a mystery, but I hope the magpie comes back to visit me again this year.

RED MOUNTAIN

RED MOUNTAIN
8" x 6" Strathmore Windpower
Can be matted and framed as shown
(extra for frame and shipping)



The plane from Kelowna to Vancouver flies over the coastal range in all it's splendor. Depending on the time of day you can see the mountains spread out below you like white icing sugar or if you're lucky, catch them at sunrise or sunset.

RED SWAN - SWAN II - SILENT AUCTION

SILENT AUCTION

My popular silent auction is back for the holiday season.

There are over 40 paintings in the Silent Auction. See them all here. Bid privately by clicking on the email button at the top of the page. Or leave a comment here. Bidding is in $5 increments but you can bid as much as you choose. Low bids sometimes spark a bidding war and higher bids may discourage competition. You may bid on as many pieces and as often as you choose. Please include the name of the painting you are bidding on and your email address.

The auction runs till midnight PST 30th November 2015. Bidding is available online and at all my seasonal shows. I will try to keep you informed, but you may email me any time to ask for your current standing or increase your bid.

You will be contacted if you win. Auction prices are for pick up in Kelowna, BC. Canada. If you would like your painting shipped I'm happy to do so at cost. Payment is with Cash or Paypal. 

LOT 28
SWAN II
Part of my special holiday SILENT AUCTION
10" x 8" Canvas Panel
Starting Bid $20

LOT 27
RED SWAN
Part of my special holiday SILENT AUCTION
10" x 8" Canvas Panel
Starting Bid $20

LOT 44
LET IT FALL
by Alex Fong
8" x 6" Watercolour
14" x 11" double mat with original bio on the back
 

This pretty ALEX FONG PRINT "LET IT FALL" is also in the Silent Auction. Alex Fong is a household name in Canada and we are lucky that he lives in our area. Alex told me that this rare print features his own rescue cat.  

Prints are not allowed on Daily Paintworks so this item can only be viewed here. To bid, email me or comment here and quote Lot 44.

DO WARM PAINTINGS SELL FASTER THAN COOL PAINTINGS?

EXUBRIUM by Sea Dean

I heard an experienced artist utter these words the other day and as usual it got me pondering. I think all artists like Picasso go through their "Blue Period" and I have times when I wallow in the ultramarine hues, but I have to admit that people do tend to buy "happy" paintings more than "moody" ones. The warm palette includes all colours, but slanted towards the warm tones.

Yellow ...
Cool - Cadmium Yellow Light or Lemon
Warm - Indian Yellow

Red ...
Cool - Crimson -
Warm - Cadmium Red Light

Blue ...
Cool - Ultramarine or Cobalt
Warm - Cerulean or Turquoise

VIOLET FRONDS by Sea Dean

I could go on but you get the gist. I think it's always a good idea to make tables with the brands of paint you use and separate them into warm and cool colours because this also has a great influence on your colour mixing. I use two stay-wet palettes, one with warm and one with cool colours so I don't mix them inadvertently.

I favour complimentary colours to make certain areas pop, so none of my paintings are completely warm or cool, but they are usually predominantly one or the other. Whether it is a landscape or an abstract the interplay between warm and cool can add a dynamic slant to your work.

Above you will see that EXUBRIUM is predominantly warm Cadmium Red Light and Turquoise, but I have used cool Purple and Lemon to add pizzazz. This painting is very red, which would be overpowering if it was a large painting, however framed and placed in a dark corner it works well.

In VIOLET FRONDS the predominant colour is Turquoise which is a warm blue, but the addition of cool Purple, Titanium and Zinc White have kept it icy looking and true to the frosty inspiration photo. Although hard to see, there are accents of warmer white and iridescence which prevent this painting appearing overly blue when viewed in room light.

What is your experience with warm and cool paintings. I would love to hear your views in comments.

GAMVAR TEST - Season for Ice Wine

I recently reviewed a small painting I did a couple of years ago and completely repainted it. SEASON FOR ICE WINE depicts the time when certain varieties of grapes are left on the vine through the fall and into the first frost. The picking is an icy experience, not for the faint-hearted. The process concentrates the juice and sweetens the grapes, so when the wine is produced it becomes a sweet sipping wine, delicious for drinking by an open fire in the longer nights to come.

GAMVAR TEST

If you've used acrylics, you will be aware that they dry darker, less vibrant and with uneven shine, so in my opinion they should always be varnished to bring them back to life. Gamvar made a huge difference to the colour of both paintings I tested and brought the finished look much closer to oil painting. I can see why this product is recommended by museums. I've used other gloss varnishes on acrylics and they also improve the look, but are thicker not as professional looking.

Instructions, a video and details for applying Gamvar here. Gamvar is a high gloss varnish,

This is the first time I've used GAMVAR archival varnish. It was developed by museums for both acrylic and oil paintings so I've also been excited to try it. The product is an archival high gloss varnish which can be removed, but not re-painted. I'm notorious for retouching paintings, so choosing a varnish which cannot be painted over is a big step for me. Applied neat, it gives a high gloss look, but varying degrees of matt to gloss finish can be achieved. This is addressed by the excellent table in the link above. It should be used in a well ventilated room or outdoors.

The product was a surprise, because it has a very thin consistency, almost like water. The look is super shiny, even though I used a sponge a few times to texturize and mattify as it dried. I can see how you wouldn't be able to paint over the surface, because it has an oily feel even when dry to the touch. The canvas panel didn't absorb the varnish, but it dried patchy, probably due to the multiple paints and mediums below, so I will probably apply a second coat with added Gamsol or Cold Wax Medium (CWM), to create a semi-gloss effect.

In the same session I varnished the grape painting from yesterday which is painted on canvas rather than canvas panel and is fresh paint rather than retouched. The varnish worked better on this surface and doesn't need a second coat. I mattified more vigorously than with the small painting, which seems to have taken the edge off the shine.

I'm now excited to try adding CWM to give a matte look. I've recently been refinishing some furniture with clay paint and I love the satin wax I've been using to finish the pieces, so I'm sure I would love that waxy finish on paintings. I will share the results in a blog when I do.

The painting above can be purchased at Daily Paintworks.

VIew my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - HAROLD TOWN - THREE CLICKS

MUSIC BEHIND by Harold Town 1958-59

HAROLD TOWN OC (June 13, 1924 – December 27, 1990)
More about Harold Town can be accessed by clicking on his name above 

A Canadian abstract painter, best known as a member of "Painters Eleven", a group of abstract artists working in Toronto from 1954-1960. The group took it's name from the number of artists at the first meeting. Town also free lanced as an illustrator for magazines like Maclean's and Mayfair.

Even over 50 years after it's creation, the painting above seems fresh and very current. Although the painting is abstract in nature, it displays a carefully arranged geometric composition and palette of mainly primary colours on a warm pastel background. The difference between this and much of the experiential abstract expressionist work produced today is quite clear. Here there are echoes of early computer technology, transistors and plastic coloured wiring which was all cutting edge in the 50s.

Many people find it difficult to appreciate abstract work or justify it's price, but I think it's an acquired taste like modern jazz or fine wine. I love abstract work and some of my favourite contemporary artists are Carol Nelson, Kim Rempel and Elizabeth Chapman. However, their work is more experiential in nature and shows how modern at has moved on from the Jetson era. I think I would prefer painting with the kind of structure that Harold Town uses in his work.

Possibly the closest I have come to Harold Town in my own work is THREE CLICKS as shown and available at Daily Paintworks here. This painting is as current as Towns were in 1959 because it refers to the simplification of websites and online shops ... a customer should never have to make more than three keyboard clicks to purchase an item online. Spending most of my day online and using many varied websites, I have to say, that the majority of artists are a long way from achieving that marketing goal.

MY FRIEND, SWAMPY and RIVER FLOWERS

RIVER FLOWERS by Sea Dean

6" x 8" on Strathmore Windpower

View my online Gallery of originals here DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here
Art Postcards $3 and Art Cards $5 here
Fridge Magnets and Totes here

Well, I guess you're never too old to learn something new.

MY FRIEND SWAMPY

My studio/gallery only has a noisy and expensive air conditioner in the main gallery/lounge area, so I've been trying to work out what to do on those screaming hot days in July/August that are fast approaching. Central air is not possible and due to the configuration of the building I can only fix a split air conditioner on my balcony/studio wall, but again it would be expensive and take up valuable outdoor space, not to mention spoiling it with heat and noise.

I could buy a portable air conditioner which would do the job, but apparently they are noisy, need a hose through the window and expensive to run. What's more they are very drying which is never a good thing with acrylic paint.

After much research and many trips to the hardware store, plus some trial and error, I've got the solution. Yay! I purchased a swamp cooler. Some of you may never have heard of this machine, because it's pretty old technology and largely fazed out, but I managed to find a new one with ionizer/air cleaning technology and multi speed oscillating fan that can be wheeled from room to room.

Swampy likes to drink, but only clean water. You fill his belly with water and it is drawn up by a filter so the fan cools the air as it passes over. The surrounding area is cooled by 10 degrees Centigrade or more in Fahrenheit. Best yet, in our desert climate, it adds a touch of moisture to the air which not only extends the drying time of acrylic paint, but does wonders for your complexion. Swampy also likes to breathe, so leaving my window or door slightly open suits my love of fresh air and I don't feel trapped inside.

I've tested this miracle worker on several hot days and he really does knock the nastiness out of the heat, with limited noise pollution. Best yet, he only inhabits 1 sq ft of floor space and uses the same energy as a regular light bulb. I can see life is going to be much easier in the studio this summer.

My friend Swampys professional name is ECO AIR COOLER by Floater Imports. But I'm sure there are other makes available which would do the same job.

GIVE YOUR BRUSHES SOME LOVE - HEARTFELT FRAMED FOR UNDER $100

HEARTFELT by Sea Dean - Black Frame

HEARTFELT
By Sea Dean
Ready to Hang
8" x 6" on Strathmore Windpower
Frame Approx 11" x 10"
Display horizontal or vertical
$95

To view my online Gallery of originals please visit Daily Paintworks
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here

In my gallery I have selected works framed and ready to hang. I also recently added more to my Daily Paintworks gallery. They make great gifts for those that simply don't have time to work with framers. 

As I keep my costs low, prices start at $35 and most are under $100. Buy with Paypal and I ship the next working day.


GIVE YOUR BRUSHES SOME LOVE

Because I treat them well I've been using the same brushes every day for years. Here are some tips on how to care for your most important tools.

1. Never leave out of water with paint on the bristles when not in use.
2. Never stand in water that comes higher than half way up the metal piece 
3. Clean when you finish for the day and every time you change your water.
4. Use tepid water. Acrylic is plastic and therefore needs warmth to help detach it from the bristle. Hot water melts the glue which holds the bristles and handle in place and also damages the bristles over time.
5. Clean under running water or in a large bowl. Do not stub the brush down onto the surface of the bowl. Gently brush it back and forth. Under water separate the bristle gently with your finger nail making sure the clean water gets right to the base of the bristles. 
6. Water should suffice unless the bristle has taken on dye by using strong pigments like Phthalo Blue. If the bristles have taken on dye, use some dish soap, saddle soap or Murphys soap to clean. I've heard of several other methods, but make sure the instructions are for acrylic painting and cleaner is not oil based.
7. Make sure all soap is thouroughly rinsed away and shake brushes to remove most of the water. Blot with an old clean towel. 
8. Lay flat or suspend with bristles downward from a brush hanger. Never dry with bristles pointing upwards or with bristles pushing against a surface.
9. In extreme cases when bristles have curled, use a final rinse of warmer water just on the bristles and smooth on some gum arabic to bring the brush back into shape. Do not rinse but allow to dry and rinse off before use.
10. In even more extreme cases when your beloved wood handled brush has been abused and all the paint has flaked off the surface, a coat of varnish will bring them back to life. You can use hardware store varnish, or in a pinch clear nail polish or the thicker variety of varnish for paintings. I suppose you could also use your thicker acrylic paints and put your own style on them. A clear coat over the top and you're ready to paint another 100 canvases.

I've been a stickler for GOLDEN TAKELON BRUSHES for several years. They are easy to paint with and easy to clean. White Takelon is too soft and Brown Takelon is too hard. Bristle is designed for oil painting and watercolour brushes are too expensive and too soft anyway. Golden Takelon is just right for most surfaces and it's cheap too! 

Until recently I've mainly painted small canvases up up to  6 sq ft seated at my easel or desk and using short handled brushes. However, I'm starting to paint larger and courser canvasis, so it was time to reassess my tools. 

Firstly when painting larger it's better to stand so that you can reach everywhere with ease. It also helps to be more mobile and step back often to gain perspective. When standing it's better to use a long handled brush which also gives you more perspective. Secondly, I've found that the courser substrate demands a tougher brush to push the paint into the crevices and facilitate sweeping brushstrokes without tugging. I've therefore started to use stronger natural bristle and Takelon brushes with long handles. I also find that for covering large backgrounds, the large flat brushes they sell for varnishing and gesso work very well for at least the base coat.

Recently I completed an 8 Sq Ft exhibition canvas and during the process I trialed a new type of brush by Royal Langnickle called ZEN. I was very pleased with the way they slid across the canvas and yet had a tensile strength to them. They feel luxurious in the hand because they have metal (yes metal) handles. They remind me of sexy sports cars covered in chrome. And clean up is a dream. No more flaking wood and no more acrylic gummed onto silicon handles. Yay! I fell in love immediately and today I treated myself to a complete set of 1/2 and 3/4 inch plus some scripts for detail and signatures. I know that sounds extravagant, but they were 40% off at Michaels plus the most expensive is only $7. What a deal!

Get your Micheals Coupons here.
And no, I'm not getting a kick back, but if someone knows how I can please pass it on.

PAINTINGS OF THE U100 SHOW - BIRCH FOREST OIL PAINTING

Birch Forest by Sea Dean - Oil

BIRCH FOREST
Oil on 6" x 8" Canvas Panel
Black Frame

A rare example of nice buttery impasto oil paint. This painting is on panel and is framed in a simple wide edge black frame. It's one of those paintings that you have to step back to truly appreciate.

A Daily Paintworks Pick of the Day 

View my online Gallery of originals please visit DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here

SUNSET

SUNSET By SEA DEAN
6" x 8" 140lb Windpower

View my online Gallery of originals please visit DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here
Bid on my exclusive limited time SILENT AUCTIONS here

With sunset happening so early now it's fall, we get to enjoy them while driving home from work. With the change in weather they can sometimes be quite colourful. I love painting abstracts and this was one using an impasto palette knife technique. Most of my abstracts can be viewed turned any way up, but I titled this because I liked this view. It is also rather spectacular with the movement in a vertical frame.

REF 131 Sunset

Was it flu or just a cold? - LEMONS brushstroke painting

 

LEMONS By SEA DEAN
Brushstroke painting on Canvas Panel
6" x 8" 

View my online Gallery of originals please visit DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here
Bid on my exclusive limited time SILENT AUCTIONS here

FLU OR COLD?

I've had time to ponder in the last week. 

Why? Well one reason is that I managed to blog quite a distance ahead at the beginning of the month, which gave me some breathing space. This was lovely. I had plans to go out and enjoy the fall colour. Take some long walk under the vibrant trees, catch up on little things that get left behind in the rush and generally have a little holiday from my artist life.

The second reason is that I've been under the weather. That's a funny saying isn't it? With the move, Ms. fixit jobs and my busy art life, I don't get out much, but some time during my rapid forays into the outside world I managed to catch a virus. I've had no desire to paint or do anything much but catch up on the growing list of documentaries and british dramas my PVR keeps diligently recording. I must say it's been fun to actually watch full TV programs without most of my attention being on my computer screen. Downright pleasurable I would say.

So at some point during drifting in and out of consciousness and having bowls of chicken soup, I was pondering if I had a cold or flu. It occurred to me that I didn't know how to tell. Then, as so often happens, the answer came in a flash when I checked the mail. In a flyer from a local drug store this table gave me the answer. I think it was a mere cold.

I have friends that just came back from an Anniversary cruise around the Hawaiian islands and one and then the other came down with a virus. I joked that I must have caught mine from them, although they live 500 miles away. It is flu season though, so perhaps you will find this a useful addition to your fridge door.

REF 14029 Lemons

SILENT AUCTION LOT 21 SEASON FOR ICE WINE

View my online Gallery of originals please visit DAILY PAINTWORKSShop for Limited Edition ACEO here

LOT 21 SEASON FOR ICE WINE
By SEA DEAN
Bid on my exclusive limited time SILENT AUCTION here

An appropriate landscape for the season


SILENT AUCTION INSTRUCTIONS
An auction collection of recent works by Sea Dean and others. 
How do I bid?

It's really very simple...

1. Visit the website, or come to one of my upcoming shows to view the lots.
2. Enjoy the work on offer (you can hover to see details or click to see a larger image with more details). Some is from my own hand and some is from my peer collection.
3. Choose which pieces you would like to bid on and click the link in details. 
4. The link creates an email so you can send me your bidding details.
5. As bids come in I update the website and my paper record to correspond.
6. On November 15th at midnight PST bidding ends. 
7. Winning bidders will receive an invoice from Paypal with the name of the work, your bid and shipping. Tax is included. Multiple items to the same bidder will be shipped together.
8. On payment your item(s) will be shipped within 3 days in plenty of time for holiday giving.


REF11024

SILENT AUCTION LOT 12 MY ROSE -

View my online Gallery of originals please visit DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here

LOT 12  - MY ROSE
By SEA DEAN
Bid on my exclusive limited time SILENT AUCTION here
Starting bid only $25 

UPDATE ON THE BLOG HOP
And the Blog Hop keeps hopping. Visit my friend Marion Hedger's blog where she honours me and introduces you to two more wonderful artists. http://artbymariondailypaintings.blogspot.fr/2014/10/blog-hopping-across-world-introducing.html

SILENT AUCTION INSTRUCTIONS
An exclusive auction collection of recent works by Sea Dean and others. 
How do I bid?

It's really very simple...

1. Visit the website, or come to one of my upcoming shows to view the lots.
2. Enjoy the work on offer (you can hover to see details or click to see a larger image with more details). Some is from my own hand and some is from my peer collection.
3. Choose which pieces you would like to bid on and click the link in details. 
4. The link creates an email so you can send me your bidding details.
5. As bids come in I update the website and my paper record to correspond.
6. On November 15th at midnight PST bidding ends. 
7. Winning bidders will receive an invoice from Paypal with the name of the work, your bid and shipping. Tax is included. Multiple items to the same bidder will be shipped together.
8. On payment your item(s) will be shipped within 3 days in plenty of time for holiday giving.


Cat #12011 My Rose

NEW WORK BIRCH FOREST - Oil on Board - DPW PICKS OF THE DAY - Silent Auction LOT 5 - STANDING TALL

Birch Forest by Sea Dean - Oil

BIRCH FOREST
Oil on 6" x 8" Canvas Panel 

After yesterdays return to oil painting I decided to rework this painting with some nice buttery impasto. I wasn't concerned with composition, being more interested in complementary pairing. I may darken the top left a bit with sap green but I'll see how it dries.

This painting is on panel and is one that I highly recommend framing to make it pop. It's one of those paintings that you have to step away from to truly appreciate.

A Daily Paintworks Pick of the Day 

View my online Gallery of originals please visit DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here


SILENT AUCTION - LOT 5 - STANDING TALL 'B'

by Sea Dean 

10" x 8"  on 3/4" Gallery wrap canvas - Painting continues around edge 

Professional Acrylic 

A Daily Paintworks Pick of the Day 
 

Value $200 

Bid $25 or more 

Bid on my exclusive limited time SILENT AUCTION here

A collection of recent works by Sea Dean and others. How do I bid?

It's really very simple...

1. Visit the website, or come to one of my upcoming shows to view the lots.
2. Enjoy the work on offer (you can hover to see details or click to see a larger image with more details). Some is from my own hand and some is from my peer collection.
3. Choose which pieces you would like to bid on and click the link in details. 
4. The link creates an email so you can send me your bidding details.
5. As bids come in I update the website and my paper record to correspond.
6. On November 15th at midnight PST bidding ends. 
7. Winning bidders will receive an invoice from Paypal with the name of the work, your bid and shipping. Tax is included. Multiple items to the same bidder will be shipped together.
8. On payment your item(s) will be shipped within 3 days in plenty of time for holiday giving.

Ref 12025 B 12093 B

LESLIE SAETA 30 Paintings in 30 Days - ONE TWO THREE ... FOUR

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS

In September I'm taking part in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge for the fourth time. Join me as I traverse all the challenges that involves to bring you one finished painting each day for the whole month.

Below are my previous 30 day challenges. Many have sold, however, a few of these paintings may still be available. If you don't see your favourite at Daily Paintworks it may be on exhibition, so contact me to purchase. You may also wish to check out my limited edition ACEO on my website here.

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS MARCH 2013

September is a crazy month for me, I have two concurrent solo exhibitions, an Art Bazaar, the MEGA show ART WALK, a two day garden show and yup, you've guessed it, I've signed up for a challenge. Not just any challenge of course, but one to create 30 paintings in 30 days. This is the fourth time I will be taking up the gauntlet. Here are some collages of work from the last three times that I've taken part.

VARNISHING DAY-30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS SEPTEMBER 2013

It's not as bad as it seems because by the beginning of September I will have completed two more submissions I haven't even mentioned, both solos will be organized, curated, framed and hung. Then I just have to wait for the sales to start rolling in on them. :)

Art Walk set up is Friday night September 5th ready for the September 6th and 7th show and Saturday evening meet and greet. Lake Country Art Bazaar is the morning of September 6th. That means that by Monday morning I'll be able to put my full attention on the challenge.

To get ahead of the game, today, as recommended, I selected 31 photos from my files ready for the challenge. That's not to say I may not get side tracked, but at least I'm prepared.

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS JANUARY 2014

EARLY MORNING TREES

EARLY MORNING TREES

by Sea Dean
6" x 68 Original on 140lb Windpower

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting, please visit Daily Paintworks

Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here

One of my favourite paintings. Very Monetesque. Looking for a good home.


Cat # 13105

PARIS IN MAGENTA - SMALL FORMAT ART

PARIS IN MAGENTA by Sea Dean

PARIS IN MAGENTA
Original Painting by Sea Dean
7" x 5" on canvas panel

To view my Gallery please visit Daily Paintworks


SFA is now a common abbreviation, so I've added the search category to my blog labels. SFA stands for SMALL FORMAT ART and refers to pretty much anything under 100 square inches. 

The SFA movement was born out of the daily painting movement, largely because it is almost impossible to paint a large painting every day, especially because most artist in the movement have a day job and a family. Many daily painters start with ordinary sized canvases but soon find they can't keep up and gradually reduce their format until they find one or two sizes that they are happy with. Below are some of the common choices in North America.

Popular SFA sizes

9" x 12" - 12" x 9" - 10" x 12" - 12" x 10" - These sizes were popular with oil and watercolour painters a few years ago before the daily painting movement took hold, but frames are harder to find these days because they serve a smaller market. This is now becoming a rare format for SFA artists.

100 square inch or 10" x 10" - daily painters rarely paint larger than this

8" x 10" or 10" x 8" - This is a large photo portrait size and so frames are readily available almost anywhere

6" x 8" or 8" x 6" - I use this in 140lb WC paper, Canvas Panel and Gallery Wrap Canvas. Some 5" x 7" or 4" x 6" frames that include mats are this size. Take your tape measure to make sure.

6" x 6" - The most popular square daily painter frame. Usually sold as a gallery wrap canvas and doesn't require framing. 

5" x 7" or 7" x 5" - This is a small photo portrait size and again frames are readily available

4" x 6" or 6" x 4" - Otherwise called POSTCARD or OSWOA size (ORIGINAL SMALL WORKS OF ART). This is the standard photo size when you have them printed in a pack, so again frames are very easily obtainable.

2.5" x 3.5" or 3.5" x 2.5" - ATC or ACEO - A popular size in Europe and the USA. This ATC (ART or ARTIST TRADING CARD) size emerged from the sport card trading market and artists started to use the size for advertising handouts in lieu of a business card. The miniature works of art started to be traded and then artists realized they could make money by selling them. That is when the name was changed to ACEO (ART CARD EDITIONS OR ORIGINALS). As the name suggests they can be originals, but are more likely to be something painted in 5" x 7" format and then made into a reduced print and sold as a limited edition.

Other sizes

5" x 5" Frames can be found in big box craft shops
4" x 4" Usually the canvas comes with a frame which is handy
3" x 4" Small watercolour and pastel pads come in this size
3" x 3" Fairly rare
2" x 1" and 1" x 1" - Teeny Tiny and usually for the novelty market with a little easel
SFA is a great way for artists to create a large portfolio in a short period of time: It is also a wonderful way for people on a limited budget to start a collection. The added bonus is that as patrons purchase the works, they are supporting the growth of the artist and upping the value of their collection, so it's a real win win situation. Many SFA artists go on to create a brand and are highly sought after in the regular art market with many sell out shows each year.


Cat # 14121 Paris in Magenta

DISHES DONE YAY! - ANNOUNCING LIMITED EDITION ACEO

DISHES DONE YAY! 6 x 8 inch Canvas Panel by Sea Dean

DISHES DONE YAY!
Original Painting by Sea Dean
6 x 8 inch Canvas Panel

To purchase this painting or view my Gallery please visit Daily Paintworks

Original Challenge Photo by Evhe

I had lots of fun painting this. One of my Daily Paintworks peers, Evhe, posted a challenge last week to paint this photo. I was very intimidated by the detail and although I wanted to do it, I kept putting it off. This morning I decided to treat it like a sketch, have fun and not focus on the outcome. Wow! Did that ever work! I may have to try that trick more often. Of course I used a little artistic license to simplify.


To celebrate my revelation, I am offering a new series of limited edition ACEO prints of my 5 x 7" original paintings. ACEO are a great way to collect art and there is no need to find space on your wall, you can keep them in an album on your coffee table.  

For a limited time, all my original 5" x 7" paintings will also be available as a limited edition 2.5" x 3.5" ACEO for only $7 plus shipping. If you haven't started your Sea Dean collection, this is a great way to begin. If there is a 5" x 7" painting which you would like an ACEO of, please contact me and I'll see what I can do.  See my 5" x 7" paintings here.




DISHES DONE YAY! 
Numbered Limited Edition Print 2.5" x 3.5" ACEO of the original painting

 Cat # 14111 Dishes Done Yay!