For Artists: Turn your original artwork in to fine art prints

Art prints now make up a large portion of my art business and I’m so thankful that I took the leap in to offering them. There is a bit of a learning curve and they require A LOT of patience but in my opinion it’s so worth it. Prints offer affordable ways for customers to own your artwork and provide an excellent opportunity to earn without burning yourself out painting all the time (as much as we would like to). The beauty of art prints are that they free up our time so we CAN paint more. I’m working on creating a wholesale business from my art prints and have found that a lot of boutiques and stores have interest in carrying them as well. I’m now on a mission to encourage other artists to do the same. One of the very best courses I took on how to turn my artwork in to prints is “Art to Print” by Laurie Ann Gonzalez. If you are interested in learning more, check out her website and consider signing up here:

“Art to Print” Course

I’m a 100% certain I would not have been able to leave my corporate job a few months ago if I hadn’t invested in this course and learned how to create beautiful art prints. Please reach out any time with questions and use the link above to sign-up if you are interested in taking the leap.

Happy Painting & Happy Printing!

Hang your artwork like a pro

Hanging artwork doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here a few tips that will help get you started:

Keep in mind the ideal height to hang artwork is generally at eye level. The standard guideline is to hang the center of the artwork at approximately 57 to 60 inches (about 145 to 152 centimeters) from the floor to the center of the artwork. Here's how to determine the best height for hanging artwork at eye level:

• Measure the height of the artwork: Measure the height of the artwork from the top edge to the bottom edge.

• Divide the height by 2: Take the measurement from step 1 and divide it by 2. This gives you the center point of the artwork.

• Measure from the floor: Measure up from the floor to the center point of the artwork. This measurement should be around 57 to 60 inches (145 to 152 centimeters).

• Mark the wall: Use a pencil to mark the spot on the wall where the center of the artwork will be.

• Hang the artwork: Hang the artwork so that its center aligns with the mark on the wall.

The eye-level guideline is a general rule of thumb and might need slight adjustments based on your personal preferences and the overall arrangement of your space. For example, in rooms where people often sit down (like a dining room), you may want to lower the artwork slightly to make it more visible from a seated position. If you have taller ceilings, you may need to raise the artwork a bit higher to maintain the right proportion within the room.

Ultimately, the best height for hanging artwork is what looks aesthetically pleasing to you. After all, it’s your house so do what makes you happy!

Travel & Paint - Banner Elk, North Carolina

Being in nature and traveling is where I find most of my painting inspiration. I feel so fortunate that we live in North Carolina where we are surrounded by beauty and are only a couple hours from the beach and the mountains. Our family just returned from a beautiful vacation in Banner Elk, NC and had the most incredible, relaxing time. We stayed in a community that was perfect for kids and adults of all ages and the scenery was spectacular. I didn’t want to leave. I was able to do some small paintings in the morning before the kids woke up and left the week with so many beautiful photographs and memories. Sharing some of my favorite shots here should any of my painting friends want to use for inspiration. Happy painting!

Want to start painting landscapes?

I’ve talked to so many of you who are interested in learning how to paint landscapes but you aren’t sure where to start. I’ve listed some of my favorite books below as a good starting point but there are so many good resources that exist now. Youtube and Skillshare are also amazing tools for learning and I’ll share my favorite instructors soon! I found most of these books at my library or on Amazon. While these books help, remember that the MOST important way to improve your skill as an artist is to practice and experiment daily. Observe nature, play, and remember that you can always paint over anything you don’t like. ;)

"Landscape Painting Inside & Out" by Kevin Macpherson: This book provides valuable insights into the techniques and thought processes involved in plein air (outdoor) landscape painting. Macpherson shares his knowledge on composition, color, value, and more. Linked Here.

“Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting" by John F. Carlson: A classic in the field, this book offers comprehensive instruction on landscape painting principles and techniques. It covers topics like atmospheric perspective, light and shadow, design, and creating mood in your paintings. Linked Here.

“Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice" by Mitchell Albala: Albala explores the fundamental principles of landscape painting and provides practical advice on capturing the essence of nature. He covers topics like simplification, color mixing, and developing a personal style.

“The Elements of Landscape Oil Painting: Techniques for Rendering Sky, Terrain, Trees, and Water" by Suzanne Brooker: Brooker focuses on the technical aspects of landscape painting, offering step-by-step demonstrations and explanations of various techniques. She covers topics like underpainting, brushwork, color theory, and capturing different natural elements.

“The Oil Painting Course You've Always Wanted: Guided Lessons for Beginners and Experienced Artists" by Kathleen Lochen Staiger: While not exclusively focused on landscapes, this book provides a comprehensive guide to oil painting techniques. It covers topics like composition, color mixing, brushwork, and more, with examples and exercises that can be applied to landscape painting.

Happy Painting!

xx,
Megan

All about Art Prints

Giclee printing is a high-quality printing method I use to reproduce my favorite oil paintings. I saved months for my p9000 printer and it has changed my life as a professional artist. It gives me the freedom to paint what I love, and then use reproductions to release prints in my shop. While most of my clients prefer originals, prints are well suited for those who may not be ready to invest in original paintings yet or who missed out on the purchase of a favorite painting.

Giclee printing involves using a specialized printer that sprays tiny droplets of ink onto a paper or canvas surface. These droplets are so small that they create a very detailed and precise image. The word "giclee" comes from the French word meaning "to spray". " When printed on canvas paper, the prints resemble the original artwork, both in terms of color accuracy and detail.

Giclee printers use a wide range of colors, allowing them to produce vibrant and realistic prints. They also use archival-quality inks, which means the prints are resistant to fading and can last for a long time without losing their quality.

One of the advantages of giclee printing is that it can reproduce a wide range of textures and tones, capturing the subtle nuances of an artwork. I only release a limited number of prints each year which makes every print special. If you have questions about my prints, please reach out any time. If you are interested in learning how to to turn your art in to prints, check out the “Art to Print” course. You can sign up using the link here: https://learn.laurieanneart.com/a/2147598051/V2P8vsan

Happy Painting & Happy Printing!