Easy Tips to Follow for Flower Art Paintings: Paint Like a Pro

For most of us, flower art paintings and floral artwork have dominated art books and drawing sheets since childhood. This is the most serene creature on earth that has been creating diverse responses across people’s minds since time immemorial, let alone the artists. So, if you are an aspiring artist or trying to get your hands on painting the best flower scene or floral paintings on canvas, this blog has something to offer you, some ready tips, like ‘do’ s and ‘don’ts of the trade to get at the fabulously painted flowers you have ever tried to gift yourself!

• Study the Shape of the Flower Minutely to Choose the Proper Brush

It helps to study in detail the flower you are planning to draw or paint, like the number and alignment of petals, the curves, and shapes of them, i.e., conical, spherical, etc. and the number of layers, etc. It will help you to select the type of brushes you are going to paint with, round or thick bristled, thin, or flat mouthed, etc.

• Choose the Mediums for Drawing Flowers: Block In and Covering Techniques

To get the desired effect, you can mix and match different mediums, like oil paints and acrylics, to add more depth, detailing, tonality, and smoothness of the textures.

Use oil colors for the traditional looking and realistic flower portrayals. Put the base color and cover the canvas, leaving the portion you are going to fill for the flowers. Adding layers, highlight the flower details with matching color schemes, blurring the background blooms and other elements to give most of the focus to the prominent flower.

For acrylic colors, use the ‘block in’ method to create a more accurate representation of flowers, protecting the edges of the elements for adding more details. Use a thin brush with flat bristles and go on covering the canvas while creating minimal details of the picture, proceeding with minute add-ons as you move on to finish the flower portrait.

• Make the Picture or Source of the Flower Clearly Visible and Well-lit

If you are drawing from realistic sources like real flowers on a vase, or from a garden scene, make sure that you paint them in a well-lit space to capture all the light and details of the blooms. Even if you are using a photograph to paint flowers of your choice, take the ones which are the high-resolution images having the depth and proper shading in them. Often, photographs from phones or other electronic devices do not have all the necessary details and that is how you are going to lose some of the intricacies of floral painting.

• Gather all the Colors in the Palette

Even if you are painting a pastel-shaded flower with less vibrancy, you will need all the colors on your palette to paint in detail. You cannot leave it as flat-colored and monochrome, as to paint white petals you will have to highlight the whiteness in different shades and proportions. Even keep the brushes handy as you would be needing them for adding finer details and abrupt strokes for the landscape.

• Choose to Paint the Flowers Fresh while Keeping Prints of the Majestic Flowers

Wish your paintings of flowers to touch souls? Yes, you can do it while drawing inspiration from real flowers in full bloom. But the saddest part is that you cannot keep the freshness of the flowers for long during your flower study involving days and months. So, it is better you keep photograph prints of the flowers at their top shapes so that you can come up with the heavenly looking blooms as per your plan.

• Get Inspired by Famous Flower Paintings of All Times

Even if you know the tricks and trades of flower composition, you can draw inspiration from the masters. Study their work minutely and have a clear understanding of flower art paintings and color schemes. Go through masterpieces like Water Lilies by Claude Monet, Sunflowers or Irises by Vincent Van Gogh, Vase of Flowers by Jan Davidsz de Heem, Lilacs in a Window by Mary Cassatt, etc. There are loads of them to crowd the flower scene ranging from realistic to impressionist portrayals.

• Brushes Can Make or Break a Floral Composition: Take Care of Your Brushes

Choosing proper brushes for flower painting is one of the basic tricks of the trade. You will need to apply finer touches to raw, flat strokes with larger brush sizes having thick bristles. Use soft bristles to smooth out the edges and create an illusion of shadow merging with the backgrounds. Select brushes from thin, thick to filbert with softening edges to have more control over the areas you wish to highlight and add details. Do not overdo the edges, as natural flowers don’t have the outlined edges, so go soft and avoid hard strokes to achieve the best results.

Conclusion:

While painting, it is important to focus on the object and try to make it as perfect as you can manage. Play with grime, dirt, mud and get closer to the floral creations that nature has so generously painted for us. Even if you are creating abstract flower paintings, listen to your instincts and take up the brushes till you cover them full with paints and come up with something unique. If you are trying hard to showcase your floral pieces to the world, take part in the upcoming themed floral art competitions by the esteemed online gallery TERAVARNA and start spreading your floral messages to the aspiring viewers.

8 Smart Ways to Make Your Abstract Art More Professional

 

As our feelings have no definite shape or order, we can channel our emotions through abstract expressions. Wait, abstract doesn’t mean nonsense or erratic! The abstract form transcends the boundaries of realism, stepping into a territory of unrestricted imagination. It reflects truth as free flowing in the abrupt strokes, haphazard alignment of the subject, juxtaposed shapes, geometric lines created by artists. This unique form has changed the way modern art is perceived, giving more freedom to the creators, to rely on their insights and intuitions rather than looking for realistic cues and objects for the artworks. The massive mural installations by Jack Pollock or Mark Rothko can be the perfect example of expressionist abstract art. If you are drawn to this particular style and like to make your art more professional, here are some handy tips to make your artwork a mass attention-grabber! The things you would need are the best of intuitions and mastering the techniques. So, let’s get started with the ideas:

1.        Understand the Ideals of Abstract Painting and Creations 

Abstract art is not your free ticket to create anything unintentional and random. When you look up to the masters of famous abstract art like Wasili Kandinsky, Mark Rothko or Jackson Pollock, you will notice that they have well-thought ideas and introspections behind every stroke, every blotch of color they have used on the canvas. Nothing is meaningless in the abstract. Even the nonsense makes sense with the artistic references that the creators leave behind.

2.  Knowledge of the Color Psychology Helps

Knowledge of color psychology or how colors work on our moods and mannerisms is a prerequisite for a good abstract artist. Experiment with color triads, complementary colors and analogues can set you on track. You can use the rule of asymmetry, the radial motion, or geometric alignments to conceptualize the composition. 

3.  Think of the Subject and Stick to Your Intentions   

It’s very important to settle down, visualize and think about the content you are trying to give shape. Your thoughts and ideas must include a question like ‘what is the purpose of my art’ or ‘what color should I use to express my feelings better’ etc. Even, you can blend ideas, merge techniques to make your thoughts resonate. Without your intention, the abstract artwork will never reach its destination, i.e., to connect with the world outside.  

4.  Experiment with the Trends and Techniques of Modern Abstract Art 

Though the trends of abstract painting have changed over the years, one thing has remained unchanged, i.e., the control and skill of the artist to make the creation look spontaneous and natural. Learn the dynamism of texture and patterns, layering and masking colors, efficient blending of edges, etc. to get the desired result. Using sponges or palette knives, or using masking tapes to the areas you wish to leave unspoiled can be some of the conventional techniques. Acrylic inks can be an option to let the colors flow smoothly. You can experiment with gesso or a white based acrylic to stiffen the surface, etc. 

5.  You will Need Top-Quality Materials to Get the Best Results 

Yes, art materials and tools are some of the essential things to begin with abstract painting. First, choose the right kind of canvas or the surface you are going to work on. If you are a beginner, choose the student-grade acrylic paints as professional paints have more concentration and they are denser. Be generous with the use of brushes; choose a synthetic kind to be resilient with the color mediums. You will need a variety of brushes, from flat, round, thick, to filbert etc. to achieve the desired effects on the canvas or surface. Go for pre-stretched canvases, or the proper mounted ones to start with painting. The texture of paint matters as you can play with textures, blend and layer it, scrap it to get the viewers hooked to your creation. 

6.  Watch the Celebrated Artworks by the Master Artists 

Reviewing the great works of the masters is a great idea and it works as a motivator. Go through the iconic works of Wassily Kandinsky, who have mastered the style of color explosion to create a spiritual experience. Go through Rothko or Pollock creations of murals, large canvases of color symphony, color blocks to show the movement and energy in the artwork. Do not imitate styles, use them as inspirations. 

7.   Play with Colors and Your Ideas 

In abstract digital art form, there is no restriction of space or alignment as there is no rigid orientation; let your imagination run wild; experiment with colors, forms, density until you achieve the best results. If it is an unusual composition you are working with, be curious, and seek ways to explore. The more you explore the more intriguing your composition would become! 

8.  Seek feedbacks from Mentor and Viewers to Grow as an Artist 

Learn from your mistakes and always try to seek advice from your mentors, guide, and critics, etc. Constructive criticism can expand horizons and let you move on. Taking part in abstract art competition and abstract art contests organized by some prestigious galleries like TERAVARNA can add more miles to your portfolio and will help you expose your skills and learn from other contemporary artists participating in the competitions. 

Conclusion:

Though it may look messy, an abstract artwork should have the proper balance and a sense of symmetry. They are born of an artist’s intuition to portray the wilderness in the right proportion, or else no art is conceived. Participate in art shows and abstract art contests organized by premium online galleries like TERAVARNA and hone your skills like a pro with these valuable tips.

Why Entering Online Art Competitions Can Benefit an Artist?

 Nowadays the art scene is becoming extremely cut-throat and maze-like for an artist to thrive and showcase their artwork to the world, given so many wonderful creations awaiting their fates in the attic. Through online art competitions and online art contest it has become rather feasible and convenient to exhibit artworks and to have a platform to connect to the art community at large. For the artists who cannot take the hassle of transporting artworks to distant places bearing the rigorous framing, shipping, and the insurance compliances, etc., switching to online platforms and art competition online can definitely ease their plight and pockets!

This blog throws some light on the issues of artists gaining exposure and repute through international art competitions online and saving on the expenses of traveling far for physical exhibitions. It’s going to help artists and art-seekers who are struggling to make their mark in the art fraternity, and go ahead with their creations. You will be excited to know how these online art competitions are promoting artists worldwide, blurring the spatial and time barriers, inviting more prospects of sales and networking, establishing a genuine connection with the art enthusiasts, collaborators, influencers, and prospective buyers. That is a great thing to do!

1.        Get the Spotlight of the Art Fraternity through Online Promotion

 

The motto of the art organizers is to promote their online gallery platforms and make a permanent place for the winning artists on the virtual showcase walls, often circulating their works across social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. and websites. The ‘spotlight attention’ will benefit you as an artist and place you at a vantage point if you are taking part in an art contest online.  

2.  Easy to Enter Shows with Open Call for Artists

It is no more a big deal to show your meticulously crafted artworks to the art lovers and collectors spread across the globe. Get rid of shipping your works to the exhibition venues or going there in person, miles across. Nowadays the online art galleries make open calls for artists with simple online forms to fill out and user-friendly portals to log in and submit multiple artworks for drawing competitions in a jiffy. That makes the job easy.

3.  Involves Less Hassle and Formalities while Submitting Artworks 

For the physical art galleries, the process would take a tortuous route from taking entries in paper, with proper postage duty paid, (though email entries are already there) and then mailed to the art competition authorities, killing much time in between. Whereas, online art contests will involve less hassle and formalities. One thing you must check out is the image resolution and the file size of the artworks; they do matter while sending to the concerned drawing contest online.

4.  The Online Competition Results are Published Fast and Prompt

While you are participating in a global art contest like the themed contests organized by TERAVARNA, one of the premier online art galleries, you are happy to enjoy the ease and promptness of the authorities to declare the results online in a few days’ time, juried by experts. Not only the artists, the whole world can watch the results showcasing on the platforms, naming the winners of the cash prizes. Isn’t that a respite from waiting for the physical mail posts!

5.  Easy Access for the Viewers through Online Art Platforms

 

After the artworks are created, an artist needs proper space to put them up and show them to the world at large. Without online marketing, gaining easy exposure is difficult in today’s world. The virtual galleries maintain safe and secure platforms to give the much-needed spotlight and promotion to the artists/painters, so that they can be exposed to the interested viewers depending on the internet traffic the site catches up. It can be a handsome number of traffic visiting the webpages per month, who will prefer the artwork and settle down for a purchase eventually. Regular visits to art galleries are very unlikely for the viewers, whereas online gallery visits are more frequent as they involve less costs. 

6.  Less Cost Involved in Online Painting Competition and Art Meets

Attending art shows and expositions are definitely a prized opportunity for an artist, be it a beginner or a pro. For online art competitions, the entry fee for each artwork is known and transparent to the artists, as they do not involve any hidden cost. While there are much expenses involved in producing artworks like, expenses on paintbrushes, canvases, tools, paints, and sprays, etc., it will help to save the unnecessary hassles of framing, packing, transporting artworks, paying for the shipping charges and make the artworks reach safely to the art galleries. Virtual mediums and online art platforms save the artists from such unwanted cores rather than making them use their time productively. In case the artwork doesn’t attract sales, the cost of shipping back to the artists should have to be paid by them only. That makes the scenario even more discouraging for artists, painters, etc.

Conclusion:

Through the mirror of changing times one can see the reflections of altering realities in a virtually connected world. Online art meets and contests are coming to the fore as a viable platform for artists who frequently take part in exhibitions and compete for prize and recognition. As compared to the fixed and recurring overhead expenses of a physical art gallery, virtual platforms can afford to place artists’ creations without spending much for the unnecessary expenses. So, to increase the chances of getting exposure and prominence in the art community, artists can as well rely on online mediums and global art platforms like TERAVARNA. Browse more to know about our upcoming contests and expositions to attract views and prizes.

How to Increase Your Chances to Win Juried Art Shows?

 As an artist, you must be excited to participate in juried art shows and get recognized by the jurors! It seems quite challenging to win competitions and get selected for international art shows organized by contemporary art gallery online like TERAVARNA. No wonder, this is a rare opportunity to elevate your position as an artist, increase your visibility, and networking prospects, and validate your art credentials. However, given the competitive scenario of the art world, talent alone cannot get you the desired results. If you wish to try your luck in international art competitions and premium online juried shows, here are some of the relevant tips & tricks that would increase your odds of winning. Read till the end of the blog to get a fair idea of how shows are juried and the parameters you must take care of.

1.      Study the Past Shows and Art Curation Styles of the Jury 

It would be great if you could assess the nature of the online painting competition  or art contest you would be participating in and have some prior ideas about the jurors. Go through the references of past shows and the kinds of artworks that get prime attention and are showcased on the virtual walls. This will give you an extra edge. There is an open call for artists to attend the competitions for specific themes, styles, moods, and mediums of representation that align with the jurors’ preferences. If possible, give some time to study the curation styles and artistic inclinations of the jury. The jury can give credence to realistic, impressionist, or abstract art of expressions, preferring experimental and bold works; accordingly, you can set your style and preference.

2.     Pay Attention to Detail: Share the Best Quality Images of Your Artwork

While sending your artworks for the art contests or the international art competitions, make sure you send them the highest quality images, as the jurors make their final decisions based on the quality of your art. Do not ignore the factors like clarity and resolution of the digital images, as they are crucial to ascertain the texture, depth, and minute details of your creation. So, do not miss any of the details. They matter the most. Make sure you choose a background that looks pretty much aesthetic & apt, free from any distractions that can interfere with your artwork. 

3.     Adhere to the Submission Guidelines of the Online Juried Shows 

Follow the submission guidelines of the juried art shows religiously as every art competition online has its own rules and norms. Adhere to the proper file format, size requirement and criteria shared by the art gallery or competitors so that there is no occurrence of disqualification. Submit the artist statements according to the set format and guidelines. Do not leave any room for speculation, as a minor deviation may result in elimination. Take your time to draft the artist statement compiling all the relevant works and include all the milestones you have achieved as an artist. Make it short and crisp, so that they grab the attention of the show organizers and jurors as it helps to ascertain your artistic journey and inspiration behind your creations. 

4.     Be Consistent with Your Style and Presentation of the Artwork 

While submitting the artworks so painstakingly crafted for weeks or months, make sure you do not skip something fundamental like the presentation aspect. When you have multiple artworks to submit, choose a relevant subject or go by the declared theme for the competition and make a well-balanced artistic narrative. Your distinctive style and composition will make the jurors understand your temperament. Presentation does not only mean just framing the works properly. It goes much beyond that. To influence the jury, make a neat presentation with proper matting and framing for the physical exhibitions. If it is an art competition online, show off your style and persona with the height of professionalism using designing software and tools. A well-presented piece of work always stands out from the clutter. 

5.     Tell a Story: Build up an Artistic Narrative 

Think of your subject and build a narrative about it, as the jury would always try to eliminate the less intriguing and generic ones from the pieces that resonate with the viewers and the judges. Your work must suggest something relevant, raise a question, or find answers to the proposed theme you are working on. There must be a story to connect with the viewers and the jurors. You can be minimalistic with subtle brush strokes, but that must evoke some emotion. No wonder, it adds more tonality and depth to the creations.

Conclusion: Let Your Art Sense Speak for You 

Always be true to your style and form; do not try to over-impose, or exaggerate, as you are not here to please the juror or the world, for that matter. It’s your artistic voice that needs to get across. Best online art galleries like TERAVARNA invite more than 5 artworks. Try to submit more of them so that the probability of getting the spotlight is higher than your less submissions. Never lose your vision or your purpose of creation in this journey. Be authentic, as jurors prefer originality and imagination, so make room for experimentation and reconstruction of forms or techniques. Even if you cannot compete you will never fail as an artist. Learn from your mistakes and start from where you have left. A proper and authentic feedback from the jury can set you on the right track, making you more resilient and dynamic for the future creative challenges.