HEARTS AND ROSES - PHOTOGRAPHING ART

HEART AND ROSES
Acrylic on 6" x 9" Strathmore Windpower



One of the most important things a modern artist can learn is nothing to do with painting, it is how to create an accurate image of their work to post on the internet. Van Gogh and Monet didn't have this problem, but the further we move into the onscreen age the more important this becomes.
 
I've discovered that not every technique works for every artist. A lot of it depends on where you live (ambient light) and what media you use. I've developed my own method based on hundreds of tips I've explored, but I still have challenges with some paintings, particularly those with iridescent, interference or fluorescent paint. This painting is one of those and I'm sure it hasn't sold yet because I just can't take an accurate image. 

I follow a blog by Karen Margulis who is a pastel artist and these are her tips. Do you have any tips you can share in comments?


How I Photograph My Paintings by Karen Maruglis

It has to be low tech and low maintenance. I want quality photos of my paintings for my blog but I don't want to spend a lot of time taking them. I need to point, shoot, upload and not have to do much editing. I have worked out a system that works for me. It is simple and takes little effort.

All I use is a point and shoot digital camera and take a photo of the painting while it is still up on the easel. Nothing fancy. I just point and shoot and keep the flash on.

My easel and current painting. When I am finished painting I take the photo

Keep in mind this is the set up I use to take low resolution photos for blogging and for email. I also use them to print small photos and for my business cards. If I need higher resolution photos I will increase the quality setting on my camera to high (about 10 megapixels)

I use a Panasonic Lumix digital camera set on a medium quality setting.

I always keep the flash on.

I don't use a tripod but I do have steady hands.

I stand about 4-5 feet from the painting and zoom into the painting. I don't crop it in the camera but leave a bit of the foamcore showing.(I will crop it when I upload the photo to my computer)

I have two fluorescent light fixtures over my easel area. I keep a warm and cool bulb in each.

This balance of light along with the camera flash results in color that is very true to my paintings.

I upload the photos to my computer. I have an iMac and use iPhoto. I crop the photo in iPhoto. Occasionally I need to adjust brightness, contrast or saturation which is easily done in iPhoto. 95% of the time I don't have to make adjustments.

This system works well for me. Since we all have different lighting situations it will take some experimentation to find the correct balance of light to get the truest colors. If your photos come out too warm or yellow....try turning on the flash and stand back about 5 feet.

COPPER CREATION - 30 Paintings in 30 Days ART PARTY - Day 11 - 1/3 DONE!

COPPER CREATION by Sea Dean

Copper Creation Detail

COPPER CREATION
By Sea Dean
6" x 9" Windpower
Ready to Mat and Frame

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

I've been working on this painting for several days because there is drying time between layers. The detail image shows the crackle effect which takes many days to dry and reveal it's qualities.

I reckon someone buying this over the internet would have to do it totally on trust because with all the multiple layers, shiny surfaces and pre-varnish state, it's impossible to capture the full beauty of the painting. I also think it's one that needs good lighting to show it at it's best. The ultra blue changes from bright to almost black in different light and the copper glints and glows.

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - Day 11

WELCOME

POSTING
As a special gift to fellow artists I am allowing you to on my blog. I'm using the same type of system as Leslie Saeta if you're participating in her 30 paintings in 30 days, to make it easy. Please YOUR NAME ONLY (not the painting's name or your business name) and a link to your web presence. 

VOTING
Posting ends at midnight each day and voting begins. Voting is open on all the previous days blogs from January 1st until January 31st. Three votes for each person. Each day voting opens the when posting closes and continues till 31st January 2015. At close of voting the top three rise to the top and remain on my blog forever.

SHARING
All I ask in return is to spread the word and give your buddies a chance to win prizes too. If you blog, link to your entry on it. Share to Twitter, FB, Pinterest etc. with an easy hover and click. Click on the thumbnails to visit the artists and tell them how much you love their work.

Prizes given to the most active artists and voters that participate throughout the month. Posts, Votes, Comments, Shares etc.

Good Luck everyone.
Thank you for visiting my blog

P.S. Remember to post your painting on the current day and vote on all the previous blogs from January 1st to 31st for the most chance at prizes. You have 3 votes each day and voting is open on all pages till January 31st. To vote click on the grey heart on each painting you like. If you're lost click on each of these links.

January 1st - VOTE
January 2nd - VOTE
January 3rd - VOTE
January 4th - VOTE
January 5th - VOTE
January 6th - VOTE
January 7th - VOTE
January 8th - VOTE
January 9th - VOTE
January 10th - VOTE

An InLinkz Link-up

Posted on Leslie Saeta as # 3

HEART AND ROSES - 30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - Day 6

HEART AND ROSES
By Sea Dean
6" x 9" Strathmore Windpower

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

I need to paint a few designs with hearts for my Valentines cards, so I thought I'd get ahead of things. If you want to get ahead too for your sweetheart, mother or daughter this original painting is for sale at Daily Paintworks. It also looks great in portrait format as shown.

HEART AND ROSES is absolutely dripping with colour and detail. Continuing with my theme of testing textures and styles I've gone overboard in this painting. There is fluorescent pink, iridescent bronze, textured molding paste, soft gel, ink and acrylic paint.

All that texture make it challenging to photograph, because it has such a chameleon nature. I chose an image with light shining on it to show the shimmer. The colours are magenta, gold and fluro pink with hints of titanium white.

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - Day 6

WELCOME

POSTING
As a special gift to fellow artists participating in the Leslie Saeta 30 paintings in 30 days Challenge. I am allowing artists to post their entries on my blog as well. I'm using the same type of system to make it easy. Add YOUR NAME ONLY (not the painting's name or your business name) and a link to your web presence. 

VOTING
Posting ends at midnight each day and voting begins. Voting is open on all the previous days blogs from January 1st until January 31st. Three votes for each person. Each day voting opens the when posting closes and continues till 31st January 2015. At close of voting the top three rise to the top and remain on my blog forever.

SHARING
All I ask in return is to spread the word and give your buddies a chance to win prizes too. If you blog, link to your entry on it. Share to Twitter, FB, Pinterest etc. with an easy hover and click. Click on the thumbnails to visit the artists and tell them how much you love their work.

Prizes given to the most active artists and voters that participate throughout the month. Posts, Votes, Comments, Shares etc.

Good Luck everyone.

P.S. Remember to post on the current day and vote on all the previous blogs from January 1st to 31st for the most chance at prizes.

Thank you for visiting my blog

An InLinkz Link-up

Posted on Leslie Saeta as #8