Art and Computers

Do they mix?

I really don’t want to open a can of worms here but I do believe they mix very well.

How?

For those that have the internet, especially in isolated areas; research for learning about their craft as well as the subject they are painting. Many libraries offer the internet free.

Painting digital or scanned photos onscreen as well as printing (this is the can of worms). For one reason or other painters are not all “Plein Air” artists and can be frowned on by some when a photo is used to create a painting. I personally like using both options.

An image of a painting on a computer monitor will often show up flaws that need correcting.

Marketing Tool; I don’t believe there is a cheaper way to reach the whole world.

Through websites and Blogs

eBay sales of prints or originals

Forums; don’t underestimate them! You will learn from many generous artist who contribute to the forums and at the same time you are promoting yourself as an artist. The two go hand in hand.

Creating your own pamphlets, logo, booklets, letterheads or what ever else you need. Yes time consuming but once the template is made, it is a lot cheaper than paying for a professional plus printing costs.

Email signatures with information about you are a great tool communicating with people. For example I would place my name, title (president, secretary or whatever), address, phone number as well as my websites at the bottom of the email. This should be done when using printed mail via the post office as well.

Buying:

eBay purchases of bargain art supplies, books and equipment

Ease of buying art supplies from a favourite supplier while sipping a hot cuppa. I am a Pastelist and can testify to this. If you have ever taken a long shopping list of pastel colours and tones into an art shop and expect to shop in a hurry, it does not happen. The eye candy is gorgeous though when shopping in person and a great temptation to spend more….which I am guilty of but don’t get the chance to do it often.

Printing:

With good technology now available for the home printers at reasonable costs, it is a cheaper alternative to test the market for images of artworks without a commitment to a large volume of prints.

Administration:

It has to happen to all of us, receipts, accounts, letters, mailing lists, two or three click and it is sent to whom it concerns via the email or printed off for the mailman. Yes is may need the odd upkeep of these files but if the edits are done as they come to your attention, they don’t take long at all. Yes I know, painting is much more interesting and I would agree with you, I hate bookwork!!

No mistakes when reading ineligible handwriting with important correspondence. This is especially so when sending required information to organizers of exhibitions with price lists, titles and so forth.

Quicker responses by galleries and additional businesses that use email.

Takes all sorts:

Not all can afford a computer or even have the desire to use one. My own husband looks at them as if they are aliens from out of space. Some artists are fortunate to make enough from their sales to pay someone else to do the marketing for them. Some just like to create art on computers. In the end it takes all sorts of artist to make the world go around and yes art and computers can and do mix.

Hot days ahead

While out for the evening walk I always try to take my camera. The sunsets have been quite intense this last week with hot days to follow. This sample was taken on the farm in a creek that runs past our home.

Apple painting exercise

Apples are often a good painting exercise and as our own fruit is starting to ripen, I thought I would give it a go with my watercolours.

Size: approximately 11 x 14 centimeters (unframed)

Old Gate

The most difficult thing I have found with watercolour is working from light to dark as my head wants to do it the other way around which is usually opposite to oil and pastel.

This one I spent about three hours on yesterday and decided to share it with you.

Size: 38 x 28 centimeters (unframed)
Paper: Arches 640 gsm rough.
Paint: Permanent Rose, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Viridian, & Cad Red.

Graham W Smith Watercolour Workshop

I attended a watercolour workshop on the 11 and 12 of this month at the Peterborough Regional Art Centre. The photo is of Graham W Smith applying colour in the first stage of his painting.



More information can be found at my website at Out & About

Sun, sheep and dust

It was just on dusk last night while out for my evening walk. With the last rays of the day falling behind the eucalyptus trees I noticed the sheep grazing the stubble leaving a wake of dust in their path. I quickly took this snap to post on my blog. Click on the image for a larger view.

Holiday Photos

Mmm yes well, no drawings done during my holidays to show off but perhaps a few photos from our destination might keep the sharks away. I have one as a wallpaper on my computer and you are welcome to do the same.

Click on thumbnail below to see a larger image.


More photos can be viewed at the two following web addresses

Album two
Album three

Glassine Paper

I have found a small piece of glassine paper especially helpful when mounting my work with hinging tape. I am able to press the tape onto the back of the pastel paper without fear of damaging my painting. The image below will show you what I mean. Always clean the glassine paper with a dry cloth before moving it onto a new area of a pastel.


Beware: Never drag glassine across your painting as it will smudge the work.

If you would like some more ideas using Glassine Paper, go to Hints at my website.

Link Exchange

Due to many requests for a link exchange I have decided to dedicate some of my website to doing just that. These links will only be art related.

If you are interested in having your site listed, send an email to me at info@susanborgas.com with Link Exchange in the subject line and your website/blog details. Please let me know the location of "Arts & Stuff with Susan Borgas" link when it is online. I will add your link to the following page without delay http://susanborgas.com/Links.htm

To assist me how you would like your link listed I will need the title of your site along with some text to help my visitors to identify what you are all about. Mine is as follows:

Arts & Stuff with Susan Borgas
Realist Australian landscape artist with the desire to show the world the beautiful country she lives in.
Use with the following url http://susanborgas.com

If you prefer to only exchange a blog address I am happy for a simple address of Arts & Stuff with Susan Borgas with no text at all.
Use with the following url http://susanborgas.blogspot.com/ placed on your blog.