Tagged: oil painting

June 23, 2013

Top 8 Most Famous Paintings of Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), a Dutch post-impressionist painter, produced hundreds of paintings of a variety of subjects: self-portraits, portraits, cypresses, flower orchards, flowers, and wheat fields. Van Gogh is considered as one of the greatest painter in history. With many paintings under his belt, I’ve listed some of the famous pieces Van Gogh did in his lifetime.

1. Starry Night (1889). This is an oil on canvas painting portraying the night scene of the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence outside his sanitarium room. Probably the most iconic among all Van Gogh’s works, a song was even composed in reference to the painter and this painting.

2. Bedroom in Arles (1888). Also known as The Bedroom, this painting depicts Van Gogh’s bedroom while he was in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. There are three authentic versions of this painting which he began in 1888 and the third version was finished in 1889. He used bold colors in yellow, blue, and brown, the painting shows his trapezoid room, including the furniture and painting inside the room.

3. Sunflowers (1888). One of Van Gogh’s subjects in painting is flowers, including sunflowers. He may have painted several sunflowers but no two paintings are the same. Bright colors are used in these paintings, contrasted by the colors of wilted or dying sunflowers.

4. Cafe Terrace at Night (1888). This is an oil painting on an industrially-primed canvas done in Arles, France. It depicts a popular cafe in Arles at night. Van Gogh used colors for the cafe and contrasted it by blue and black colors to portray the rue du Palais. This painting is displayed at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.

5. Portrait of Dr. Gachet (1890). One of the most expensive paintings in the world, and the highest price paid at a public auction, Portrait of Dr. Gachet protrays the doctor who took care of Van Gogh during the final months of his life. It shows Dr. Gachet sitting at a table while his head is resting on his right hand.

6. Almond Blossoms (1890). This is a series of several paintings on blossoming almond trees. Van Gogh enjoyed painting flowering trees as it symbolizes hope. This painting is located at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

7. Irises (1889). Van Gogh painted Irises when he was living at an asylum in France, before he experienced his first attack. He used unusual angles and strong outlines which is typical of a Japanese called ukiyo-e woodblock prints to depict the blooming irises.

8. The Mulberry Tree (1889). The Mulberry Tree was painted a year before Van Gogh’s death. It depicts a tree growing out of a rocky land. His inspiration was the mulberry tree outside the asylum.

Image source: http://www.vangoghgallery.com

June 20, 2013

Abstract Expressionism in the 1950s and Famous Works

Abstract expressionism is an art movement that boomed after World War II, during the 1940s and 50s. It is the first American art movement that influenced the international art scene. The name came from the German Expressionists which is known for emotional intensity and the European abstract schools such as Futurism and Cubism. The movement is known for its spontaneity, energy, and messiness. Works done in the movement show an unconventional application of paint, loose writing, and colors that create tension. Paintings do not show recognizable subjects, instead, you’ll see colors, textures, lines, forms, and mixed media.

No._5,_1948 — No. 5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock

The years prior and during the World War II, European artists took refuge in the United States. Paris, previously the center of the world’s art culture, was damaged after the war and New York replaced Paris as the art capital of the world. Most artists in this movement live in New York, giving the movement another name, The New York School. They created new ways of applying paint on canvas, such as Jackson Pollock’s “drip” technique, Willem de Kooning’s “Action painting,” and Mark Tobey’s “white writing.”

Famous Works

No.5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock
Jackson Pollock is one of the most influential artist in the Abstract Expressionist Movement. His No.5 painting is the second most expensive painting in the world and is considered as the best example of artworks in the movement. Pollock drizzled yellow and brown paints over the fiberboard, using his emotions take the lead of how the paint was put on the canvas.

The Liver is the Cock’s Comb (1944) by Arshile Gorky
Founder of the 1920s cultural movement called Surrealism, André Breton considered this painting as “one of the most important paintings made in America.”

The Gate (1959-60) by Hans Hofmann
Hans Hofmann painted The Gate from 1959-60. The painting is part of a series inspired by architectonic volumes. Hofmann painted rectangles in several bold colors which may seem subjectless but studying the piece, you will see that the relationship among the shapes in the painting resembles a gate as stated by the title.

No._2_Franz_Kline — Painting Number 2 by Franz Kline

Woman Series (1950-52) by Willem de Kooning
In the 1950s, Willem de Kooning, a famous “action painter,” exclusively painted women as subjects. He used strong brush strokes and high-key colors which produced blatant images of women. The paintings exaggerated the features of women such as huge limbs, big eyes, and toothy snarls.

Painting Number 2 (1952) by Franz Kline
Franz Kline is best known for his paintings in black and white. Many think that his pieces are influenced by the Japanese calligraphy but he denied it.

Image source: www.wikipedia.org

June 17, 2013

Best Online Art Galleries for New Artists

1. gallerytoday.com
They have been in the business since July 2003 and have been connecting buyers and collectors with artists all over the world. They sell masterpieces of famous artists but don’t get intimidated. They are open to newbies and can help you find your niche.

Image source: http://www.gallerytoday.com

2. art-3000.com
This online gallery is open for all artists and photographers who wanted to showcase and sell their work of art. They started as a small group of artists and decided to invite other artists to join them and created a network of various artists, buyers and enthusiasts. Registration is free and they do not charge commission on sold artworks. How cool is that?

3. saatchionline.com
Saatchi online is derived from London’s famous Saatchi Gallery. They created this to allow artists to display their work to art lovers even if they are in different parts of the world. It also serves as a support group for artists who are aiming for international audience.

4. newbloodart.com
Founded by fine arts graduate and art tutor, Sarah Ryan in 2004, newbloodart.com was created to help emerging artists sell their masterpieces to the general public. This online gallery also serves as a tool for the founder to communicate with other artists most especially with the young and new ones to help them, in a way or another, to launch their careers.

Stompin' At The Savoy by Shelly Bedsaul Image source: http://www.ebsqart.com — Stompin’ At The Savoy
by Shelly Bedsaul
Image source: http://www.ebsqart.com

5. annameenaghanart.com
Created by a contemporary artist, she believes that art should be accessible to anyone and that it ought to be talked about. This free online gallery welcomes all kinds of artists to display their artwork in her website and sell them without any commission. The website is also very interactive wherein clients can leave comments and can personally get to know the artists.

6. ebsqart.com
ebsqart is the social media for artists. Aside from a portfolio site, this online gallery also serves as an online community for artists wherein they share opportunities and even new skills. This is a site where famous and new artists merge and talk about their passion for art. Various artists around the world can freely showcase their work on the site where art lovers can easily browse on them.

June 16, 2013

5 Marketplace to Sell Your Canvas Art Reproduction

Thomas Kinkade Original landscape oil painting ( Natures Paradise ) Art print reproduction on canvas wall decor Photo credit: www.aliexpress.com — Thomas Kinkade Original landscape oil painting ( Natures Paradise ) Art print reproduction on canvas wall decor
Photo credit: www.aliexpress.com

Recreating famous painting is very challenging. You have to capture every detail even the style and brush stroke to make it almost incomparable to the original painting. This will make your reproduction stand out and more convincing to buy. But where can you really sell your reproductions? Here are some suggestions that can help you find your potential buyers.

1. Annual Fair
Let’s just say you don’t have the money to rent an art gallery or to pay for registration fees for exhibits and competitions, don’t be discouraged but be resourceful instead. Why not showcase your artwork during your local annual fair? It’s the best time to attract local patrons and a great way to let your community know that there’s a budding artist in the neighborhood. This might not give you the big break you are waiting for but it’s a good start. Don’t you think?

2. Online Art Galleries
Online art galleries are readily available throughout the internet. Aside from it’s easy to join, it’s also more affordable than setting up your own website. These websites can provide exposure of your recreations to collectors that frequently visit their site. Remember that you will be dealing with financial transactions with these websites as well so choose the most trusted.

3. Local Gift shops/Souvenir Shops
You might think it’s not a good idea to display your artwork in a gift shop or a souvenir shop but think of the possibility that a tourist or someone looking for something extraordinary to buy for a gift may enter the door. Find a shop that sells other quality items and with a great ambiance to match the quality of your artwork.

4. Join Art Exhibits and Competitions
Remember, exposure is the key. Joining these events puts your art in front of a variety of audiences. A lot of artists got their first break through these exhibits and competitions even if they were not a winner. But winning an award has its advantages for you will have something to add to your profile which proves the quality of your work.

Art market in Budapest www.budapesttimes.hu — Art market in Budapest
www.budapesttimes.hu

5. Art Galleries and Museums
You have done your efforts to reach potential clients in all walks of life. Now, it’s time to get noticed by the “cream of the crop”. Having your paintings displayed in an art gallery is a dream come true for a new artist. This will allow you to meet other artists and enthusiasts that can give you feedbacks and can even help you expand your client lists. To have your work displayed in an established gallery helps establish class and reputation of your precious artwork.
Creating and selling art reproductions will always have its pros and cons. Be ready for critics who will scrutinize your work but don’t let negative word get in the way. Remember that it’s all part of being a budding artist.

June 15, 2013

Best Online Art Markets to Sell Paintings

With the digital age, canvas artists are now harnessing the power of technology to start their art business. Finished paintings are professionally photographed and uploaded to an online art gallery to hopefully interest potential buyers and generate sales. With hundreds of online art galleries and auctions out there, here’s a list of the best of them to help you start.

Artmajeur. Artmajeur is one of the largest finest art gallery in the world, featuring the best contemporary artists. Established in 2000, it displays over 2 million original pieces and has sold over 150,000 art works. You can sign up for free and start networking with other artists. Artists in Artmajeur are ranked by popularity using visitors’ and page views. (www.artmajeur.com)

Artnet. Artnet offers a wide range of information and transaction services for artists. It has an extensive collection in its database of Fine Art, Design, and Decorative Art which provides information on the market and pricing trends. The site features 1,700 galleries around the world and displays 170,000 art works. (www.artnet.com)

Artsy. Artsy features artworks from famous galleries, museums, foundations, and private collections worldwide. It displays the largest collections of contemporary pieces and it aims to make world art accessible to the people. (www.artsy.net)

Artspace. Artspace is an online platform for fine art and design, featuring an extensive selection of curated artworks from leading museums and artists around the world. It aims to help people discover and collect fine pieces of art. (www.artspace.com)

Artwanted. Artwanted is a large network of artists and online galleries. It serves as a community and a place for selling artworks. The site promotes members and gives informative feedback on their work, helping artists to hone their craft. (www.artwanted.com)

Fine Art America. Fine Art America is the leading marketplace for buying and selling artwork around the world. It provides various sales and marketing tools to help artists build their brands. (www.fineartamerica.com)

Deviantart. Deviantart is the world’s largest online community for artists in various genre. The site primarily caters to contemporary artists from fan art, digital art to animation but it also offers its services to painters. It has over 25 million members and artists can submit their works and connect with other members. (www.deviantart.com)

Etsy. Etsy is an e-commerce website launched in 2005 where artists can sell their works. It is a bustling marketplace where you can buy and sell handmade and vintage items, including paintings in different medium and even art supplies. (www.etsy.com)

Imagekind. Imagekind displays millions on canvas art, framed wall art, and photos. It is a platform where artists can share and create their works and buyers can purchase museum-quality framed art. (www.imagekind.com)

Paddle8. Paddle8 is an online auction site, giving artists and buyers a platform for transacting business. It offers low-cost themed auctions, getting 6% commission from artists and 12% from buyers. It also offers benefit auctions for non-profit institutions. (www.paddle8.com)

Zhibit. Zhibit offers user-friendly tools which help artists create their own websites, build their art business, and connect with other members in the community. It offers the lowest rates, for as low as $49/year, in its subscription plans. (www.zhibit.org)

Image source: www.fineartamerica.com