I'm open to your questions all weekend - ask away. Before you leave your question, you may want to read the past Q&A's first or do a search on my blog for past posts - you may find the answers there. You can ask away by leaving a comment on the link below.
Thanks and have a great weekend.
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43 comments:
Hi Karin! Count me amongst the artists you have inspired. I know you like to visit the Chicago area, would you consider doing a workshop here in our fair city?
I also paint on panels, and really like the idea of mounting them on matboard so nothing is covered. What kind of adhesive do you use to mount the panels>
Chicago was my 2nd choice - a perfect location - but I couldn't find a space that would work for me. I'll continue to look.
I mount the panels with a clear acid-free silicone. Just a few small dabs to hold it on.
Hi Karin!
Do you print your photos and paint from the hard copy, or do you view your photos on your monitor while you paint?
I love, love, love your work. Count me as someone who would sign up for a Chicago area workshop!
Cathy
I paint straight from my monitor. Printing out the images was too expensive to keep up with.
I was an art major in college and a prolific painter. After raising 4 children, I am now painting again. I am very inspired by you. I love your painting style, I sometimes have a second browser up with your work, just to refer to while I am painting a photo I have taken. My dream is to sell my work (ebay, galleries, wherever). I feel I need to improve some, and I know it takes time and lots of painting. Thanks for all of your advice. It seems I read somewhere that you have only painted for 5 years? Is that correct? If so, it gives me hope of being ready to sell my work soon.
Hey Ms. Karin,
I have a question about frames. I’ve commissioned craftsman to build me frames for my smaller paintings with a 1/8” rabbet and ¼” for my larger pieces. I’ve always wanted to get the maximum amount of my image to show. I’ve searched and searched and can’t find beautiful quality ready-made frames for my smaller paintings affordable or not that aren’t made with a ½”+ rabbet. Do you think you could make some available someday in a variety of styles- perhaps some with linen. I see a real need for 4x4”, 6x6”, 8x8”…etc. I do love the floating presentation too. I’d buy some. Is your frame shop already online? Just something to think about.
Thank you very much for doing this.
How do you price your paintings?
Why do you use gessoed masonite rather than canvas?
Do you punch up the color of your photos with photoshop so they look more like you want the painting to look? could you show us a few side by side of photo and paintings?
About the frames..... most rabbets are approx. 1/4", I don't think I have any samples of mouldings that exceed that. And I'm just a framer, I don't make the frames. Size-wise, I'm able to build all of mine to what I need, which is a great thing, I admit.
Pricing my paintings... that's a hard question to answer. I think it's best to determine a firm price on a size you usually do - something you're comfortable with - then break that down to $ per square inch to price other sizes.
I use photoshop to edit, crop, virtually paint, change colors, remove trashcans, blur so I don't have to squint for hours ... all of it. It's all prepared on my Mac before I start painting. If you join in on a future workshop of mine, you'll see the before & after images.
G' morning. Absolutely love your work. What type/brand of painting brushes do you use? Thanks.
D.E. West
American Painter brushes - which are pretty cheap - so I can use them until they're spent and toss them.
Karin, Your work has really struck a chord with me. I love how you leave brushstrokes as stand alone statements, not bothering to blend each color, or clean up every edge. Do you paint something every day? What I'm really curious about is your signature. What size brush do you use, and when do you sign it - do you give the painting time to dry a bit first? And was there ever a time when you used your whole name? And if so, what made you decide to shorten it? One more thing. How do you determine a fair price for your work? and what about when you first started selling your work? Were you uncertain at first what people might be willing to spend and sell some paintings for less? And do you have galleries helping you place a value on it by following the popularity of your work, knowing the value is increasing along with it? Thank you for being available for questions. I loved your work the first time I saw it, and check in often to see your latest. You really are an inspiration!
Holy cow.....
I paint most every day. It's my job :)
I usually sign with a smaller brush on hand - I don't think my full name is necessary. No date either. Signatures can take over - I see it all the time.
A fair price is based on the time I've invested - I don't know how to answer that any further. I go with my female, consumer gut - what would I pay for it. I don't
overprice, it's foolish.
I need to make a living.
And yes, I listen to the gallery owners/directors - they know their clients and I work with that.
Happy to have inspired you LeAnn.
I know you sometimes crop your photos often in ways that cuts off a head or in another unusual way... Also often your figures are facing away...
It always works.... What do you think about when you do that???
Composition? being different? Dark light pattern???
I just love what you do and I love to see the wonderful paintings you create.
I still have the cut-off head of one of my first paintings. With most, I have no interest in faces - I prefer the body, the posture, the clothes, etc. I can relate more to the image that way. Someone once said it causes them to identify with the figure rather than identify the person.
Plus, I have a boyfriend who is constantly reminding me to cut off the heads. He's usually right.
Hi Karin! My biggest hurdle seems to be in 'loosening up' as a painter...it is something both my mother and I continue to struggle with...I remember reading a post you wrote once where you said you had to stop & regroup with a painting because you found yourself 'drawing' it vs. 'painting'...how do you 'keep loose'?...and does the size of the brush you use help with this?
With respect to staying loose - it's the biggest struggle with me. Enter the boyfriend again - he constantly catches me painting too tight and reminds me to stop.
There's some hints to stay loose - squint, squint, and squint. Use wider brushes. If you paint from a photo, make the image smaller. You tend to not nit pick.
How do you find the art market holding up in this climate?
Specifically in Ebay, do you find most sales come from new customers or from past collectors? I am just getting started in selling my work online and am wondering if the bubble has burst and I missed the peak?
Thanks!
If you are selling Beanie Babies, you've missed the peak - art should be timeless. Good art will sell thru high times and recessions. If it's affordable only to the affluent, the artist will feel the pinch. If it's affordable to not-so-affluent people too - the artist will probably keep selling well. That's basically, what I think, is the current state of the 'art market'.
I also feel like I don't paint for the 'art market'. It just doesn't enter my mind. That can paralyze you. I've been there. I've learned. Paint what you love, what you're interested in - there will be a market for it.
Ebay.... it's just tough. It takes years to gain attention. There's no shortcut. I consistently have work to offer - so I get as many new buyers as repeat buyers.
I've used a dark &/or black ground in painting in the past, but have always had problems maintaining my initial values. How do you keep colors and values from kind of "dimming out"?
thanks so much for being and inspiration and your candid approach.
I can only guess two reasons why the values/paints fade on the dark ground - the paint used to darker the panel is absorbing the first layer and/or the paints are too distilled with mediums. Experiment with different surfaces - different latex paint or tinted-gesso.
Hi there! Glad to see I get another weekend to ask questions :-)
1. Do you look for shots that have shadows?
2.Do you ever just add a shadow of your own (make it up) to add to the composition?
3.I tried using a very old BOB ROSS (it was a gift yrs ago) black gesso that was way too runny so I ended up using a black acrylic as my base - think that's ok instead of the blk gesso? I figured there's no difference - unless you know otherwise.
4. E-courses are the biggest thing right now you ever consider teaching an e-course?
thanks!
oh also....in your dark/black areas of your paintings...so you just let the background color show through and not paint over it or do you paint i your darks?
-I have a love affair with shadows.
-I don't think I could fake a shadow well, so I don't do it.
-I use latex paint or acrylic or both to coat the board. But I would always
start with a gessoed board.
-I have that e-course on my list.
-In the dark areas, I have done both. That works best with
colored underpaintings.
Have you considered doing a DVD? So far I have not been able to attend a workshop (hopefully I will in the future!).
I know you've heard this a million times, so here is a million and one - you are an inspiration! Love your work!
I can't imagine but anything's possible.
I love the DVD idea, I would definitely buy it. Are you coming to San Antonio, TX anytime?
One day I will.
Just want to say thanks for your generosity. Anyone as busy as you are, who still takes the time to encourage fellow artists, is making a great contribution and you obviously LOVE what you do. I looked over your website and am very impressed with your style and how prolific you are. I love your studio; it looks like the perfect place to find quiet and inspiration...I am happy for you to live what seems to be every artist's dream. But girl, you work hard, I don't have your energy for sure. thanks again.
I would do more if I had the energy - trust me.
I've had a lot of mini-breakthroughs in my painting life. If sharing it helps, that makes me happy.
For now, it's over and out. Have a great week all.
Hi Karin, love your paintings you are such an inspiration to all of us. Just thought I would ask you some questions.
New to oil painting and loving it. I noticed you paint on masonite. What type of brush are you using looks flexible, square, maybe a sable/ watercolor brush type. I've been using hog hair and I tried it on gessoed panel and it doesn't like it, lol. I've been using canvas panel and I like it a lot but now youv'e turned me onto something smoother.
Last question, I've searched for ever and can't seem to find that singer in your Life Should be a Beach video. The last singer is awesome. Who is she, does she have some more music?
~Kirby
The brushes I like are flat - cheap - synthetic.
The music on that video is Annette Funicello - from the 50's.
Hi Karin!
Thank you for these Q & A Fridays!I'm loving it!
I like to paint on board as well and mentioned to a framer that you adhered your work to a mat board so that the edges aren't covered. They told me that they would have to cover it in glass?!! Can you tell me more? Thank you.
Hey Karin - I have a question, "When do you think we can all meet for lunch again?" Neil
I understand why they said that Annie - matting is a paper product that wouldn't hold up without glass protecting it from humidity - but in this case, it's a tougher linen floater that has 1/4" exposed around the sides. It'll work fine, I assure you.
Whenever you're ready Neil!
Just wanted to say thank you for your answer to my question...I truly hope I can attend one of your workshops at some stage...you are not only an inspiration for so many of us, but an invaluable teacher!
God bless!
:) Lara
A while ago I took a day trip to the MET and took some photos of my favorite paintings. The galleries were filled with art lovers and a few of them got into my shots. I started to want them in the shot for scale. Then I noticed how interesting it was to watch people take in the painting for themselves. I posted the photos on my flickr page and that was that. When I look at those pics I'm always drawn to the ones with people in them. Somehow I stumbled onto your blog and wammy! Here are these fantastic paintings capturing the same feelings and emotions from scenes which I encountered at the MET. Great job,keep up the good work!
Hi Karin,
It's Friday again... hopefully you are taking questions again this weekend. And thank you for the generosity of your time in doing this for all of your admirers.
I watched the YouTube video of how you set up your palette... loved it! I wondered if you could elaborate a bit on the radiant colours (Gamblin) you like to use. I am just getting into oil paint (I have been using acrylic) and I am interested in what you find the radiant colours do. I can't find them in town, so I must order them sight unseen. Do you mainly use them to mix with other colours? It sounded like you just use a touch... when do you put them to use? Do they have much pigment in them?
Any advice and knowledge is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much,
Nicki
The radiants are to be mixed - actually I think all colors are meant to be mixed. They do as the name suggests, they brighten up. Especially the white. If you need just a fraction of brightening, it's thinner and it's takes a dab to do it.
Hi Karin,
Thank you so much for your answer. It is greatly appreciated. I agree all colours are meant to be mixed... I might have worded that wrong. I wondered, I suppose, if they were something you would make glazes with, but it doesn't sound like it. Thanks again. I think I will order some and experiment.
Nicki
One of these days I'll play more with glazing over - I'm pretty sure the radiants wouldn't work that way, they'll all pastelish colors - but I'll try that out. Good idea.
Dear Karin, thank you again for giving us all this info and inspiration. I study your paintings almost every day.
Tried to achieve any results in acryl but I think I'll try oil again. Found already many answers to my questions.
Loes Voerman, NL in old Europe.
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