Prince William Art Society (PWAS) is a group of local artists in Prince William County in Northern Virginia dedicated to an appreciation of the visual arts and fine crafts of local artists and this is their Blog, Artistry Spin. Find information about and by PWAS, our events, our Scholarship Program, our artists, our art shows and exhibits plus much more. Many of our artists display art at locations all around Prince William County, Manassas and beyond.
If you are an artist having your own art show or you are in a group art show, prepare an art show bag for yourself so that you have what you need so that you are ready to start selling art when the show opens! Here's a check list of supplies to have stashed in your show bag.
You know the drill: There is always that often -frantic- hour or two before an art show begins where every artist scrambles to ensure that their art is up and out, labeled correctly, organized nicely and displayed perfectly by the time the show doors open. It is up to each artist to be as prepared as possible - and on time.
Anticipating the supplies you need before the show is something that should happen BEFORE you even leave the house. Know before hand what the venue provides and what they do not. (Tables, chairs - how many?)
Besides the obvious of bringing your artwork, prints and other creatives, there is much more that is needed AND desired, in anticipation of what could be important for last minute fixes or adjustments. Or if something gets broken!
If your are responsible for your own show, the check list is considerably larger as you will need to hang your own art and whether or not the show is indoor or outdoors which has its own challenges and lists. Nonetheless, you or your group MUST have:
Sales - point of sales equipment, charger, and invoice sheets
Cash - in case you need to make change OR to purchase lunch, or other art! As per typically happens, the first sale of the day starts with a large bill coming in and wiping out the change drawer. It is good to know your art group companions might be able to help you out from their "stash".
Bubblewrap, Paper wrap - wrap artwork with bubbles OUT!
Gift bags to able to package smaller art
Print Rack(s), Gridwalls and all the other paraphernalia that goes with those
And much more
But here is what could be in your art show go bag no matter if a solo or group show:
Art Show Go Bag (ASGB) Supplies:
Your Phone/Camera and Batteries
Chargers, Extension Cords
Your Business Cards, Brochures
Invitations or Flyers to your next event
Your Exhibitor Badge or other ID
Your QR Code for your Website
Your Name on a Sign or Tablecloth (Branding)
Price List, Inventory of Art
Price Stickers, Red Dot Stickers
Clip Board, Stapler and Staples, Paper/Notebook, Index Cards, Paper Weight
Pens, Pencils, Rubber Bands, Paper Clips, Calculator
Scotch tape, Masking Tape, Blue Tape, Duct Tape, Glue
Zip Ties, Clothespins, Curtain Hangers, Clothesline
Sewing Kit, Safety Pins, Measuring Tape
Bungee Cords, Bulldog Clips
Battery Powered Lights
Wet Wipes, Paper Towels
First Aid Kit
Small Folding Step Stool
Umbrella, sunglasses, hat
Personal Items: Ibuprofen, Chapstick, Tissues, Mirror, Lipstick
Snacks, Drinks, Water, Chocolate
Trash Bags
An ASGB can be a backpack, a duffel bag, a tote bag or whatever you deem necessary. I'd keep the bag prepped and readjust or resupply it periodically too.
Are you planning on painting/creating while at the show?
Bring your equipment and an apron so you can do so if space and the venue allows. People love watching people doing what they do.
Good idea to have and know:
Guest Book - do you have an email list you can build on?
Know if you have to bring your own chair and a chair cushion
Know HOW to use the POS equipment!
The weather forecast!
All that said, at every group show I attend, there is always at least one person, or ten, or even someone in the next booth saying, "Hey, do you have __fill in the blank__ I can borrow?" And its always something from the list above.
Can you think of anything else that should be included?
Author: Donna Liguria Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm
Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!
This post looks at the what the plein air artist might want to pack for a painting session in the great out-of-doors. Depending on what the medium the artist desires to work in, such as oils, acrylics, pastels or watercolors, these lists will show how the supply list might vary and we'll give some options to consider when you are heading out for a plein air painting session.
What's in Your Checklist?
By the look of the lists below it may not seem to be the KISS method (Keep it Simple Stupid) but that is honestly what you do need to do for plein air painting. An artist will figure out rather quickly what they think they might need as opposed to what they actually must have before AND most assuredly after they go out.
Your actual checklist of art supplies needed for plein air painting will also be based on other variables like:
Will your car be parked nearby?
Distance to walk and current conditions on the ground like rocky, hilly, wet, dry, arid, snowy, etc.
How heavy your fully loaded art supply carrier will be.
If flying to your destination, check those further restrictions
You'll only need to carry what you will actually use and what is necessary for the particular medium you will be working in.
David Dillon, a member of PWAS and the Plein Air Posse painting at the Bluebell Festival on April 7, 2024 in Nokesville, VA
At one of the Prince William Art Society meetings in 2023, (PWAS), we had guest speaker, Marni Maree telling the story of her adventures in traveling and plein air painting. She showed us examples set out down the table, from left to right of her various art supplies and equipment as she lived and traveled, packed and repacked her art supplies for her outings. The funniest part of the whole presentation was how the art supply list and equipment downsized - tremendously- down the table, AKA, got smaller and smaller. Less weight, more compact, and then NOT packed.
Now, let's explore the options of real need in what you must pack, some good choices, and how the plein air backpack may vary depending on the art medium the artist might use.
Traveling Light but Protected
Before the artist goes lugging his whole art studio across a field or up a mountain, at least a little bit of research and some prepurchasing might be needed to make life out in nature while capturing its beauty a little less stressful, sweaty, or leaving you feeling like you just wrestled an alligator the next day.
Hat - a good one with a wide brim
Clamp-on Umbrella that is flexible, attaches well to your chair or easel, and is tiltable. Hopefully a sturdy enough one and large enough to protect you from the sun, and your painting too. Here are some options:
Wondershade on Amazon
Dick's Sporting Goods - small umbrella for $9.99 (suggested by David Dillon)
Best Brella
ShadeBuddy
Sunscreen, Advil, Bug Spray
Pepper Spray - unfriendly animals or people
Whistle, Binoculars, Compass - just how far are you out there wandering?
Plein Air Painting Basic Supplies
Plein air painting does call for some purchases that you may not already have. Selections will need to be made based on budget, your medium(s), your style of painting, perhaps even where you think you will be painting.
A Backpack - can also be used as an easel weight, so the bungee cords may come in handy. Select a large enough BP to handle the bulk of your supplies. Consider one with a "cooler" section for beverages/ snacks, or a way to hang your drinking water bottle from the pack.
A Portable/Collapsible Easel/Tripod. A lightweight field easel, pochade
box or simply a sketch clipboard may be all you need, depending on if
your medium is oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, or other medium or if
you are doing a sketch or using color pencils, etc. Painting outside is often on uneven surfaces so versatility is important.
Easel Suggestions:
Pochade Box - a small paint box mounted on a tripod, often used by oil painters, used for painting on location. Pochade means "a rough or quickly executed sketch or study".
Field Easel - or plein air 3-legged easel, is a portable, lightweight, and easy to store easel of mid to small size, and is often collapsible, foldable, or has telescopic legs. They are meant and built for the open air studio with the intention of easy setup and take down. Check out any pros and cons when researching for your needs.
French Easel - full or half-box and the old rules apply. You get what you pay for. It is a type of field easel with a box for storing art supplies, a handle or straps for carrying.
Packing for Plein Air Painting (best easels and air travel tips)
Robert Dew, a member of PWAS and the Plein Air Posse painting at the Bluebell Festival on April 7, 2024 in Nokesville, VA
Folding Chair or Stool - up to the artist's needs here and whether they are more comfortable standing or sitting to paint, or do both. A compact collapsible, lightweight portable chair is very necessary in my opinion.
Chair Suggestions:
ArtComber Portable Rolling Chair - has built in storage, front wheels and folds into a chair.
Camp Stool - there are lots of options out there, along with bags to hold them, and sometimes accessories to consider.
Essential Art Supply Items
- No matter the medium, choose to bring only the colors, brushes,
palette, or any appropriate mixing solutions absolutely essential for
the project, or to get the artwork started. Some artists can complete a
painting quickly, others will finish in studio. Smaller sized tubes,
containers etc will lighten the load - obviously.
Think ahead and adjust the colors you take to what you will be painting that day. As David Dillon suggested, if you're painting at the ocean, your pallet may be more blues; if in the woods, your pallet may have more greens and browns. A cityscape or street view may be more colorful. Many PA artists have mini palette packs ready to grab and go depending on beach, woods, or wherever.
It is recommended to always use artist-grade paint and not student-grade, so always purchase the best that your budget will allow.
Supply Suggestions:
Mini Palette Cups - clip on cups of stainless steel
Mini Brush Washer - stainless steel
Brush Holder for the tripod
Collapsible water holders
Sketchbook - many artists sketch first to decide composition and colors. Consider your medium you are using and what you might need your sketchbook to handle. Watercolor paper, mixed media paper, etc.
Pencils, Graphite Pencil, Markers, Waterproof Pen with Black Ink, Watersoluble Pencils - any of your selections here would go in a zippered bag with waterproof lining like a toiletries bag. Also include Pencil Sharpener, Eraser.
Supports, Your Painting Surface - Your choice in painting surfaces is yours to make as well as the size of the surface. If you paint on a gessoed canvas or gessoed panels, its suggested to use a surface the sun doesn't shine through. Papers will need to be secured or your drawing of 'down by the river' may end up floating down the river.
Common sizes in plein air is 6x8 or up to 12x16. As the light changes on you, there will probably not be time to complete a larger surface, but you do you.
Your Cell Phone/Camera - Take
reference photos of your subject with the time of day your main concern
to capture the lighting the way you want to paint it. The light will change on you - in seconds! While
some artists can knock out a plein air painting quickly and can capture
the essence of the subject, others will finish up the painting later
with their reference photos.
Be Prepared
- in case of changes in the weather, heat, cold, rain, whatever. Also,
if its quite breezy, think how your artwork can be anchored down to
keep from being air borne.
Clothing - Dressing in layers is a great
idea for those "iffy" days so that dressing up or down will help you
stay cooler or warmer as needed and a raincoat, poncho, or a windbreaker may be a
consideration as well. Pants are recommended (look at cargo pants too because of all the pockets), as well as dressing in neutral colored clothing as white and bright colors can reflect onto your painting.
If you read the link in the above story about Marni Maree, you may also consider a vest with multi pockets.
Guest Speaker, Marni Maree at a Prince William Art Society meeting discussing art supply packing for plein air and traveling options
Shoes/Boots - be prepared for the right footwear whether hiking, mudding, or sitting in a location with a variety of creepy crawlies. And when mud boots are recommended like at the Bluebell Festival, wear the boots. Bluebells LOVE and grow in mud. Closed-toe shoes are suggested as well.
And for the Ladies: Remember hair ties or clips and lip balm! Also, see the options list at the end. Tissues might be good too.
Seasonal: Paint in all seasons - and do push yourself to include all weather conditions! To truly appreciate the differences in lighting, colors, contrasts and more, it helps to practice and gain that experience. The best time of day to paint outside because of the lighting is early morning or late afternoon. The light of a sunrise or a sunset are of course, much more dramatic.
SHADE is imperative in the heat. See a great potential scene for a painting but there's no shade, snap a picture and paint that one in the AC. Cooling towels are another option when in the heat. And drop your hat under the water for a soak too.
Water
for clean up, water for you. Collapsible containers may work there too. Nonetheless, especially in the heat, DRINK WATER OFTEN, whether thirsty or not.
Food - Is it still plein air painting in a McDonald's parking lot? You'll need to have some easy to consume food and/or snacks too. Think granola bars and fresh fruit, which are good options for your energy levels. Or you may need a cooler to handle your munchies. Just remember, CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF!!
Paper Towels, blue shop towels, or rags for cleanup, plus some plastic trash bags including a large bag in case of an emergency rain-shield.
Doren Dauer,a member of PWAS and the Plein Air Posse painting at the Bluebell Festival on April 7, 2024 in Nokesville, VA. Photo by Tom Payne, PWAS Member at Large
Acrylic Plein Air Painting Tool Kit
Plein air painting supplies for various mediums have many of the same tools and some big differences as well. As we all know, the beauty of acrylic paint is that it dries quickly. When plein air painting with acrylics on hot sunny days, consider being in the shade and out of the wind as best you can to prevent your paints from drying out on you. Other painters suggest a smaller canvas, painting quickly and leaving your brushes in the water when not in use.
Acrylic Paints
Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Lemon, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Cadmium Red Light, Quinacridone Rose, Permanent Madder Lake, Ultramarine Blue, Turquoise, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna
Golden Open Acrylics offer a slower drying paints.
Sta-Wet Palette
Plastic Sorting Container
Palette Paper or Water Palette
Acrylic Paint Brushes
At least 5 sizes; rounds, flats and filberts in sized #2-10
Soft synthetic bristle brushes may work best
Surfaces like Canvas Panels, Wood Panels, or Sintra Panels (wiped down with isoprophyl alcohol)
Retarder
Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid to extend drying time
Atelier Interactives dry a bit slower
1-2 Palette Knives
Brush Carrier - roll or tube
Wet Paint/Canvas Carrier - if you apply paint on the thick side, drying time may extend some, nonetheless, a carrier can protect the painting while traveling.
Water Container(s), Brush Washing Container - I'm a 3 water container person myself: 1. with soapy water for cleaning, 2. with clean water for rinsing, and 3. with clean water for dipping brush and mixing. So Containers are needed for your style here too.
Small spray bottle of water - to mist your paints and/or surface
Fill 3:1 mixture of water and Open Thinner
Sponge(s)
Plastic zip lock bags
Mechanical Pencil, Eraser
Scraps of aluminum foil to cover main paint blobs on your palette
Jeff Holman,a
member of PWAS and the Plein Air Posse painting at the Bluebell
Festival on April 7, 2024 in Nokesville, VA. Photo by Tom Payne, PWAS
Member at Large
Oil Painting Plein Air Painting Tool Kit
The Alla Prima painting approach is a direct completion of the painting all in one sitting. This could very well be a different way to paint for many artists in their studios that work at a painting over days or even weeks, painting and building layers. And realizing that your work will NOT be dry when you are done for the plein air painting day means a special way to carry the piece home to protect it is essential.
There are now water-based oils so some of the essentials will change.
Oil Paints
Limited palette suggestions for oil painting is Cadmium Red Light, Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black (for Blue), and Titanium White
Jess Kodad, a
member of PWAS and the Plein Air Posse painting at the Bluebell
Festival on April 7, 2024 in Nokesville, VA. Photo by Tom Payne, PWAS
Member at Large
Watercolor Plein Air Painting Tool Kit
Many an artist consider watercolor painting outdoors as the easiest to work with, the supplies aren't as many, the drying time is quick, and other notable items in the PRO column.
Watercolor Paints
Watercolor Paint Brushes
Water Brush Pens
Watercolor Pencils, Pencil Sharpener
Brush Carrier
Wet Paint/Canvas Carrier/Protection for the surface
Water Container, Spray Bottle
Brush Washing Container
Lap Clip Board
Masking Tape, Mechanical Pencil Eraser
Sketch Paper, Watercolor Paper Pad and/or Notecards
If you are painting on stretched canvas, consider a piece of cardboard to put behind it to prevent the sun from shining through it.
Retractable brushes
Swiss Army Knife, a few tools like a wrench, screwdriver, good glue. Regular maintenance on your plein air equipment is needed to keep it all in good condition.
Mahl Stick or Retractable Back Scratcher - to keep your shirt sleeves and palms above the paint surface and not in the paint.
Empty bottle for pouring dirty paint water in for disposal at home.
Sponge Brush for dusting, blending and softening edges
Cotton Swabs, Toothbrush, Stim-U-Dents - various textures and marks.
Brass Window Washer Squee-Gee - mark making tool for edges.
Bluetooth Speaker (maybe birds tweeting aren't your thing?...)
Vice Grips or Nut Cracker for opening stubborn tubes.
Stand Up and Pee for Women - I'll let you look up this one. Or just do what they do in Times Square for New Year's Eve and wear diapers/Depends.
Small pack of Wet Ones or Soil Love
Small rug, old table cloth to stand on in wet grass, snow or ice or a yoga mat
Bungee Cords, at least 4 Binder Clips, Carabiner Clips, Magnets
Directions, entrance fee, gate codes, where to park/not park
AND bring your business cards. I saw it at the Bluebell Festival where someone walking by wanted to buy the painting right off the easel of one of the PWAS artists!
Be aware though that depending on WHERE you are painting if there are any "sales" type of restrictions and permission agreements, which is a possibility in some public spaces.
Additionally, there are indeed lists of supplies and tips out there if you are flying and what you can or cannot pack, so be aware of what is allowed.
Just remember, whatever you pack, you have to transport it there and back again.
Off the Beaten Path
Depending on where you are painting and who you are painting with - solo or with a group of painters, or perhaps along a trail with curious passersby,
you will probably be interrupted at some point. The distractions are potentially all in a days palette, so embrace the day - even if you are trying this different painting style of quickly applying your brush and capturing that exact light essence before its gone. Perhaps move off the path a ways to stay out of any major traffic flow when its safe to do so.
Its good for ALL of us to be out in the open air, its good for our health and feeds the soul - I think even more especially, the creative ones.
Do you have any supplies not listed here, suggestions, tips or advice?
Author: Donna Liguria Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Photography/Video Credits: Donna Liguria and Tom Payne
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm
Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!
Never Have I Ever...Been in an art show, or joined an art group, or led an art show or done any of this artsy stuff. This blog post looks at and brings together many of the previous posts and pages that cover subjects giving tips and suggestions for not only the new, inexperienced artists, but perhaps as a reminder too for others.
The Game 'Never Have I Ever'
The game called "Never Have I Ever" is known as an adult drinking game... which we are not doing here. I'm just compiling various art topics that perhaps artists often have questions about.
The Artistry Spin Blog was started on August 29, 2021 with it's very first post on the history of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS). Since then, I am up to 460 posts (at the time of this writing) - so that's a lot of info about PWAS, our art shows, our artists, and a whole lot of art topics in between.
You could look at some of these topics as an "art refresher" even if you've been a long time artist. There could be blog posts that you had no idea were even in the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog.
My format here is to give you the Never Have I Ever - topic, some notes and then give you the related/previous blog posts about the subject. Often, I've had artists ask me about an art subject or if I have a blog post about "XYZ. I've said, "It's in there!" If you are of a certain age, you may remember the old commercials on Ragu Spaghetti Sauce where they said about all the good ingredients, "It's in there!" Remember that? Anyway, have you ever...?
1. Never Have I Ever - Joined an Art Group
My suggestion is to do so! Depending on where you live and how the art culture runs in your community, do the research and see what types of art group options you have near you. Research words like art group, art society, art guild, art collective, art council, art community, art league, artisans, nonprofit art groups, and art alliance.
Find out when they meet and go to a meeting (or check out if there is a zoom option) and see how they function and if its a good fit for what you do or want to do as an artist, if it has the energy level you seek, and how serious and/or how fun they are. And possibly, depending on funds, you could join more than one.
Prince William Art Society Membership - the link to the PWAS website to learn more about PWAS. In 2024, we now have the ability to join (or rejoin) PWAS by paying online which is quite helpful.
Or perhaps YOU need to start a local art group! I've heard of friends that just generically started their art groups from a monthly or weekly get together and just wanted to paint. Sometimes it does involve sipping the wine too! And then it evolved into an art group for their community over time.
Granted, if you want to make your art group a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, there are many documents and regulations in setup and maintaining that status. Do the research.
2. Never Have I Ever - Been in an Art Show
As PWAS grows, we get people that might be new to art, new to the area, want to make friends with like minded art folks, or are retiring from their job in an alternative field and want to start enjoying their retirement with an art hobby. They may wonder what all is involved in entering their first art show.
When PWAS announces an art show (or a call for art), in the original email announcement are the basics that should always be stated (granted, some info will be in followup emails):
Name of the Show, is there a theme or art requirement?
Date(s), Times, Location, Deadline to apply
What is the setup time?
Is there an Entry Fee?
How long will the show last?
Is it indoor, outdoor, rain or shine? Is there a Rain Date?
Is there a flyer for distribution? (There should be)
Will this show be juried, judged, or is it first come, first served, anything goes?
Will I need to volunteer for a shift?
Will the show be under a tent?
Are tables and chairs provided or do I need to bring my own?
Will there be print stands or do I need to bring my own?
Will we be using the PWAS gridwall panels?
How much space will each artist be allowed? How many art pieces?
Is there a limit to size?
What is the info on drop-off and pick-up?
What is the commission?
How will the artist get paid if artwork sells and when?
3. Never Have I Ever - Submitted Art for a Juried Show
Typically a juried art show falls under the announcement for a Call for Art, or a Call for Artists. Honestly, Calls for Art are everywhere when you really start looking. Art galleries, art shows, exhibitions, etc - need artists, often, a lot of them. Some churches or communities have an annual art show that helps raise income for their cause(s) and a fee for entering.
A local art group may limit their art calls to their membership according to their gallery or art display space.
Many of the same bullet points above will be in your Call for Art too, but the HUGE thing with official Calls for Art is to FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS EXACTLY. You'll see me emphasize that over and over again.
Post 225: Artwork Rejection - a necessary job post because we have ALL had our artwork not accepted not just once, and not necessarily in the past. Not being accepted into an art show is often what has to happen. Really. I'd read this one, it's important.
4. Never Have I Ever - Sold My Art
Are you a new artist just starting out? Many artists have been giving away their artwork to family and friends for the fun of it and perhaps not taking the business of art seriously. Or have you been joining art shows, setting up an online store and you're still not selling? These posts look at selling art, pricing art, what sells, etc.
So the artist may want to look at if their art is priced too high, are they putting it in front of the right audience and many other points to consider.
Pricing is a tough decision and there are various schools of thought about it. This is one important art topic so again, I'd put research into it.
5. Never Have I Ever - Led an Art Group Show
Isn't this where the saying "herding kittens" came from? Slightly kidding here but there is no rule that says one person must do ALL the work when leading an art group show. Recruit, delegate, and BE PREPARED. Oh so many of the suggestions here are because of living the experience.
I also consider this blog post as a must read for all the artists participating in an art show because sometimes you just have to step up and help.
6. Never Have I Ever - Had a Solo Art Show
I could basically say that doing your own solo show means taking Items 2, 4, 5, 10, and pretty much all of 14 and doing it all on your own.
An
artist having a solo art show has a lot of pros and definitely some
cons too. The burden of ALL the work, the equipment, setup and takedown,
fees and sales, ALL of it is on that solo artist's head.
7. Never Have I Ever - Joined an Art Committee
We suggest you ask your art group where you would fit in and be put to best use. The group needs to know something about you and your talents for the best fit. It takes a lot of good people to make an art group successful.
And an important thing to consistently remind everyone of is that you cannot expect the same few people to do all of the work. Everyone in a group should step up and help serve in some capacity - new blood and ideas can really help a group to grow.
8. Never Have I Ever - Gone Plein Air Painting
PWAS now has the Plein Air Posse as a subgroup of PWAS. But what is it? What do you need to take with you? These posts should help you get out there in the open air.
Nether have I. I need to write a post on this topic. Or you do.
10. Never Have I Ever - Had Prints Made of My Art
Prints are often the lifeblood for many an artist. You may not sell a $1000 painting every day (if you do, come talk to me), but you may sell a $45 print of it more often.
And say that $1000 painting has sold and gone to a new home. Great! You can still keep making money on that painting by selling prints of it.
11. Never Have I Ever - Commissioned Artwork
Someone that loves your art will one day ask you to create something for them. Oh wow and oh happy day! After doing that little happy dance, your thoughts may run to, "Oh no. What do I do now? How do I get paid? Do I need a contract? Do I need to ship it? Is this a scam? Can this be real?..." You get the picture (pun intended).
While many art galleries and studio spaces have huge staffs and big budgets, some art display spaces may have much smaller budgets or be run by a nonprofit group that depends on their staff of volunteers and docents to "work the gallery".
Art Group, Volunteering and Gallery Worker Training - A page on Artistry Spin with the benefits of an art group, Board info, volunteers in a not-for-profit art group, committees, the benefits to volunteering, working at an art gallery, and art receptions.
13. Never Have I Ever - Learned the History of PWAS
The history of PWAS was in the very first PWAS Artistry Spin Blog Post. And considering this blog post was from August 2021, it could almost be considered PWAS History Part 1 - the Early Years. It may be time to look at a blog post for PWAS History Part 2 on what has happened since then!
14. Never Have I Ever - Art Blog Posts You May Have Missed
Another subtitle for this one could be "I forgot this was in there!"
Sure, I have plenty of art topics not covered in the Artistry Spin Blog YET. And I don't know it all either, to attempt many subjects. Other writers would be awesome to have to cover special tips on working with different mediums. Or how-to articles would be great. I'm up for suggestions and help, definitely.
Nonetheless, when I see the need because of a question asked, I try to find the info needed and present it in a blog post. Here are a few of the go to art topics you need to know:
Display - A page on Artistry Spin with the basic rules, the requirements on artwork Display when hanging art. This includes not only PWAS expectations, but are used by most art galleries and exhibitions too. This one is a MUST READ for everyone.
Art Need to Know (NTK)
- A page on Artistry Spin, is list of what an artist needs to know as soon as they know that art
is something they want to do as a career, a side hustle, or as a hobby. You know the saying, "If I knew then what I know now..." And wouldn't it have been nice to not have made so many of those mistakes learning on your own? As a blog post is created referencing an item on the list, I link it to the topic there as well.
Amazing or not, many of these mentioned blog posts are some of our most viewed.
Sometimes subjects get rehashed over time on a blog and details are updated, refreshed, or referenced from previous posts but my hope is that they add more depth to that topic over time.
I still suggest to search the blog to find topics of interest to you, as been said before and quite often, the answer is usually that, "It's in there!"
So, what do you think after reading all that? You did read it all, right?
Author: Donna Liguria Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm
Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!
Do you prime your canvas before you begin to paint? Gesso is something that is a personal decision for every artist, encompassing different situations; HIGHLY recommended for raw canvas, gesso is subject to artist likes and dislikes in textures and smoothness, perhaps optional on pre-primed ready-made canvas, but applying a gesso base goes a long way toward priming your surface before you lay down your painting. Let's learn all about gesso in this blog post.
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What is Gesso?
According to Wikipedia, gesso is:
"Gesso (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdʒɛsso]; 'chalk', from the Latin: gypsum, from Greek: γύψος), also known as "glue gesso" or "Italian gesso", isa white paint mixture used to coat rigid surfaces such as wooden painting panels or masonite as a permanent absorbent primer substrate for painting. Gesso is used in painting as a preparation for any number of substrates such as wood panels, canvas,and sculpture as a base for paint and other materials that are applied over it." - Wikipedia Gesso
Here's Emmy from Jerry's Artarama, Jerry's Live Episode #JL307: All About Gesso
By the way, subscribe to the Tuesday afternoon Jerry's Live shows - always good, endless topics, and occasionally you can win something! This video is well worth your time to learn more about the what, why, hows and choices available about gesso.
Usually you will find gesso in Titanium White when you purchase it, but you may find it in Black as well. But, good to know, you can color your own gesso too, which I think can make a great base to begin on for many purposes.
How to Gesso
There isn't necessarily a right or wrong - its up to you and what you want to achieve on your surface. This is where applying gesso goes "off the edge of the canvas" (as opposed to "off the rails"). And it is interesting to understand that there are as many ways of applying gesso as there is in brands of gesso. Again, its all in the artist preferences and you don't know that until you give it a go one way or another. Here are a few suggestions.
You can apply gesso with a soft brush, palette knife, or trowel
On an acrylic-based gesso, you can apply with a wet brush or you may admire the texture of the non-watered down application.
Acrylic based gesso has very easy cleanup of your brush or tools with water.
You can use an acrylic-based gesso UNDER an oil painting but you cannot use an oil-based gesso UNDER an acrylic painting.
If doing an acrylic painting, you can start painting gesso as soon as the gesso is dry to the touch, which is fairly quickly.
If your doing an oil painting, wait at least 24 hours before applying the paint over the gesso.
The question about gesso was asked of our Prince William Art Society members and wow, I'm sure glad I asked! I learned even more just by sending the question out there. The PWAS membership consists of artists at every level, from art beginners to VERY experienced professionals. Some members studied art while in school and college while others are self-taught.
Here is the wonderful feedback that they sent in...
"Sometimes I use one coat of gesso to create texture on the canvas before painting."
From PWAS Member Otis Stanley, PWAS Photographer
Yes, I use gesso, usually one coat . I do not mix it with water.
From Elizabeth Stathis, PWAS President 2024-2025
"I was taught how to build my own canvas from scratch. Raw linen or canvas stretched then gesso'd with water.
Let dry.
Sand it smooth.
Gesso'd thicker.
Let dry.
Sand again.
Gesso full thickness.
Let dry.
Sanded smooth.
One Gesso coat on back of canvas.
Let dry, no sanding needed.
When you no longer see the canvas weave on the front, you are done.
I'm sure there are other versions out there."
From PWAS Member Janice "Cookie" Bell
"I'm sending this to you for Raymond Bell. It's what he used for preparing his board
for his soft pastel paintings. I believe he originally got this from the Pastel Society.
Hope it's useful for those interested..... it worked so well for him for years.
Fill a pint jar one-third of water. Then add one or two
tablespoons of Gesso and stir. Next, add another
one-third pint of water. To this, add one tablespoon of
white glue, three tablespoons of pumice (powder FF
medium at hardware store, usually in paint or furniture
refinishing area), and one or two more tablespoons of
Gesso and stir well. Finally, fill the jar almost to the
top with water and add three more tablespoons of
pumice and one or two more tablespoons of Gesso.
Stir the mixture well.
Apply the mixture to the board with a brush, using
horizontal strokes in one direction, apply to both sides.
When dry, apply second coat vertically to both sides.
I know this sounds like a never-ending procedure but it worked
miracles in getting the pastel to stick to the board, although it does
not smell too good!! The outcome
was worth it all. You know, Raymond did not like the pastel paper.......never held up as good as the board.
Hope this has been a help. Wish he was here to help more!"
"In answer to your question about gesso; when I used to stretch my
own canvasses I did use several coats of gesso on them & also on
purchased canvasses. It just made for an interesting surface to work on.
If the gesso was too thick, I would use water to thin it down. Hope
this helps."
"I have used Gesso on occasion, but since most of my canvases and surfaces are pre- gessoed, I don’t use it on a regular basis. Where
I have used it is when preparing naked wooden panels. Or, if a canvas
is unusually coarse, I will apply a layer of gesso and once it is dry,
I’ll sand it a bit and wipe with a damp cloth. Repeat if necessary."
From PWAS Member Mark Clifton
I
paint with oil and use acrylic gesso. 3 or 4 coats on canvas straight
out of the container, undiluted, lightly sanded. Store bought
pre-gessoed canvas gets the same 3 or 4 extra coats. Sides are also
gessoed so they don't rot. Hardboard panels get 3 or 4 coats front,
back, and edges.
From PWAS Member Kacy Egan
"Thanks for the Question. This prompted me to research what is Gesso.
I’ve always use pre-primed canvas. I had no idea that this could improve my art work. Is it possible to add color to the Gesso?"
"I
didn't use it at first...as a self-taught artist I had to learn to use
it and why. Since then, all of my canvases have at least 2 layers of
gesso, sometimes 3 (except for the mini canvases). At 3 or more coats, the acrylics start acting weird, so I have found that I
like the 2 coats better. Occasionally, I use sandpaper on it for more
smoothness, and I apply the gesso with a plastic straight-edged trowel. Next time,
after this blog post, I'd like to try it with a brush - this has been
enlightening!"
A big thank you to all the PWAS Members that sent in their gesso notes.
And so do we, Cookie.
And Kacy, I asked the same questions when I began taking ART more seriously a few years back. I've actually learned even MORE about gesso just asking our PWAS members!
Do you gesso? What can you share about your process? What brand do you like and how do you apply it? Drop a comment below.
Note that a few more responses are coming in from PWAS Members, I'll add them in as they arrive!
Author: Donna Liguria Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm
Have an idea for a blog post? Are you a writer and want to help with the blog? Let me know! Thank you for visiting, and remember to Share, Follow, and Comment!
