As I write this blog, its half an hour before the paintings for this year's solo show are available to view and buy online. This gives an online audience the opportunity to buy or reserve paintings 2 weeks before the exhibition previews.
Buying art online from a small image on a screen is a risky prospect for most people. Owners of any of my paintings will be familiar with the quality of work 'in the flesh' and will no doubt have no concerns about committing to buy in this way. If you're unsure, just contact the gallery and you could register an interest in a painting in order to better guarantee it's availability to you at the preview night. Please note that those wishing to commit to a purchase will take priority. Hope to see you all on Friday 31st August 2012.
In the mean time, here's a few teaser images...
UPDATE: Images for exhibition are now live and available >> TRANSITION
Websites like DeviantArt and Redbubble (and many, many more) have changed the opportunities available to artists, designers and photographers to have their work available as reproduction prints.
It used to be that capital expenditure on a print run would mean you had to be sure of a mass market for any image in print. But these days anyone can be a micro-publisher of their own art and make profits without any outlay at all. Not only will in not cost to offer your prints to the world, but it will be relatively hassle-free as the site deals with everything.
DeviantArt (based in the US) and redbubble (based in Australia) are the 2 sites I use to provide prints to a worldwide consumer base. DeviantArt is the biggest online artist community in the world.
Both these sites provide prints in various forms: canvas prints, paper prints, framed prints, greetings cards, postcards and so on. In addition to this, deviantArt also offer coasters, fridge magnets, jigsaws etc. while Redbubble offers iphone cases, t-shirts, hoodies, kid's clothes and seems to add different products all the time.
Photographing Your Artwork
I often get asked about the best practice for photographing paintings so here's an at a glance list of tips for recording your paintings in digital format;
>> Use a good quality dSLR camera (full frame sensor if possible but are pricey)
>> Use a good quality lens. (I use a canon 50mm)
>> Without professional studio lighting, outside on an overcast day is best.
>> Do not shoot in direct sunlight.
>> Clean your lens
>> Use a tripod
>> Use the 2 second timer so that when you press the shutter, that force won't jolt the camera at time of shot.
>> Use 'Av' setting and set to a mid range aperture (8-11), the camera will do the rest.
>> Set the lowest ISO possible (100 is fine)
>> Post production in Photoshop or any image editing software will likely be necessary.
>>Lastly, if your going to offer the really big prints (deviantArt do a 30" canvas) then even 18 megapixels might not be enough. For this you can pan the camera around the canvas from a tripod pivot point taking 6 or more photos which overlap. These can be seamlessly stitched using photoshop (file>automate>photomerge then select the series of photos). For this, make sure the focal length of the lens is a minimum of 50mm. The more "zoomed in" the better as it reduces the lens distortion of wider angle lens which can be a nightmare to stitch. The resultant file will be as many megapixels as you want for massive prints in high detail. Sites like deviantArt and redbubble will detect the size of your file and only offer print sizes appropriate to print clearly from. Do not attempt to just upsize the pixels of a smaller image, it will not be approved as good enough quality.
example of coaster from deviant art
Marketing Your Prints
Do not rely on the traffic from other users of the artist sites to sell prints. You will sell very few this way. Instead, gain the traffic to your prints through links from your own website, blogs, twitter and other social media etc. These will be potential customers already interested in your work.
Quality
So what's the quality like of these deviantArt prints? Well I've kindly shot a couple of videos reviewing deviantArt products I recently ordered of my own paintings in print in the form of a framed print and coasters, here they are...
FRAMED PRINT
COASTERS
You can View my deviantArt and RedBubble prints here:
It seems the scammers have found me again!! Tip for artists: DO NOT ACCEPT Cheque. Don't even think that if you wait till the money turns up in your bank account and the cheque appears as though it has cleared that you're safe... YOU'RE NOT! It can take about 3 weeks for the bank to realize it's bogus, and by that time the scammer has got you to refund all or part of the cash for some inflated shipping payment or just because they've changed their mind.
The scam isn't to get your paintings or artwork or product, they want your money. They will flatter you with badly translated complements about your work but they have no intention of even scamming it from you. I'd be flattered if a scum bag thought it was worth risking their freedom to own one of my paintings, but sadly criminals these days just don't have any taste!
I was immediately alerted to this latest scam thanks to a rather amusing blog from Edinburgh based artist Trevor Jones who had documented his encounters of the same art scam. This blog will be out there to warn artists that Paypal is your best friend! Insist your customer uses it, it's very safe. Other than that, pass the customer to a gallery who shows your work who will be able to take payment by credit card.
Here's the series of emails I received and my replies:
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:12:22 +0100 Subject: Inquiry about your work From: walterronald22@yahoo.com To:
Good day,
The images on your website are so fascinating and so vivacious,looking at each piece of work i can easily see that you added so much dedication in making each work come out to life, unfortunately i lost the website where i first saw your work but i was able to save your email address.
I am writing you because i need your assistant to get back to your website so as to beable to retrieve the details of your work that interest men or send me images of some of your new works. Regards Walter.
- On Wed, 6/20/12, Scott Naismith wrote:
From: Scott Naismith Subject: RE: Inquiry about your work To: walterronald22@yahoo.com Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 1:10 PM
Hi Walter,
Many thanks for your kind words. The website you were on must have been:
http://www.scottnaismith.co.uk
Their are lots of links to see my work elsewhere from there, but I do recommend viewing my youtube channel where you can see the paintings being painted in the studio:
http://www.youtube.com/scottnaismith
Don't worry if you get lost, I come up lots on search engines.
Best wiishes
Scott
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2012 10:05:24 -0700 From: walterronald22@yahoo.com Subject: RE: Inquiry about your work To: scottnaismith@hotmail.com
All your works are beautiful Can you get back to me with there cost prices...
-- On Sat, 6/23/12, Scott Naismith wrote:
From: Scott Naismith Subject: RE: Inquiry about your work To: walterronald22@yahoo.com Date: Saturday, June 23, 2012, 4:52 AM
Hi Walter,
My prices are based on size:
Square
20 x 20cm: £450
30 x 30cm: £595
40 x 40cm: £795
50 x 50cm: £1050
60 x 60cm: £1300
80 x 80cm: £2100
90 x 90cm: £2450
100 x 100cm: £2900
Landscape Sizes
30 x 60cm: £850
40 x 80cm: £1300
60 x 90cm: £1900
You could also look me up on iankenny.com to see available work.
There is also a list of gallery dealers on the following page of my website
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:17:52 -0700 From: walterronald22@yahoo.com Subject: RE: Inquiry about your work To: scottnaismith@hotmail.com
Dear Scott,
I keep wondering how much time and effort you devoted into your work to make the following piece a one of a kind and as i can see from the images you sent to me your work as a pleasant and a suiting feeling and am so sure it will bring comfort and happiness into my home and to those that view it. I will be purchasing the following piece listed below
Landscape Sizes
30 x 60cm: £850
Square
30 x 30cm: £595
40 x 40cm: £795
Payment for those piece will be made by UK bank cheque and the money can be withdraw from my account i will be sending £4,300 to cover the cost of the piece and shipping of the artwork i also still have some things to be moved by the mover to me in Denmark.
I feel it will be will be better if the shippers picking up the my stuffs can come pick up the artwork from you so as to save time and money.
I would inform the movers about it after have heard from you.They will just come over to your area to pick-up the artwork and then have them delivered to me before i can write out the cheque i will be needing your contact details and phone number to write and send the cheque to you.The address written below can be use to prepare the receipt of invoice for the artwork.
Thanks
Walter
My address
Kastanievej 19
DK-8660 SKANDERBORG
DENMARK
AND FINALLY this was my response shortly afterward:
Hi Walter,
I would need to know the titles of the pieces you are interested in. Also your estimate of shipping costs is massive, I would be able to organize shipping for you at a far cheaper rate. If you are keen to use your own carrier then I would insist that the payment would need to be made directly from you. Unfortunately I do not accept payment by cheque but would be happy to accept paypal or most credit cards are fine.
NEEDLESS TO SAY I have not heard from him since! The scam here is to get you to forward a large payment to his shipper / carrier before you realize his cheque is rubber. As far as I know, the bank would allow you to spend the money in the few weeks it might take for them to discover the cheque was bogus and the bank reclaim the funds from your account. So even if any artists out there suspect a scam but think your ok because it shows up on your bank balance... THINK AGAIN.
Don't accept a cheque at all! If you REALLY have to, then state in advance that no shipper will be paid and no refund offered until a minimum of 30 days.
It seems in these difficult economic times there are more people caught by these bar stewards, so I hope you find this blog before you're SCAMMED!
This blog is designed to help prevent aspiring artists out there being exploited by money making scams promising valuable exposure at a high cost.
ARTISTS: Do not pay large sums upfront for your work to be shown.
This is the e-mail I received today from Abraham Lubelski:
Senders email: abraham.lubelski@nyartsbeijing.com
Dear Scott,
I am pleased to inform you of an exciting opportunity to join an international publicity program based in New York City as well as exhibition in Broadway Gallery in SoHo, New York City.
My name is Abraham Lubelski, the publisher of New York Arts Magazine, and owner of The Broadway Gallery in NYC. I would like to invite you to join our publicity program that includes an exhibition in New York City in January 2012. I am interested in your work "Storm Cloud Study" and I believe it would be an important addition to our program. The brushstrokes dance and glide across the canvas, producing a palpable energy. The contrast between the grey and teal is sharp and creates a strong ambiance. By paying close attention to the intuitive works of each artist, we are hoping to construct an exhibition of works that truly speaks to our viewers and subscribers.
With this program you will get one year of publicity, full page in NY Arts Magazine (sold worldwide in major bookstores), an exhibition in the heart of NYC, in Broadway Gallery, a spread in Art Fair International Newsletter along with a year subscription, for a cost of $1,900. This is a media driven event and offers both emerging and established artists the broadest media coverage possible.
Abraham Lubelski
Publisher
NY Arts Magazine
abraham.lubelski@nyartsbeijing.com
473 Broadway, 7th floor, NY, NY 10013 | 212-274-8993
$1900!
After much research online, I am now satisfied that this is an outrageous scam.
Here's a link to a blog by artist Helen Ansell who seems to have done plenty research on this chap.
I recently blogged about my new miniature oil on board paintings. Now, I am happy to say that I now have an online store available from my website powered by the artists' online store 'Big Cartel'.
At any time there will be a selection of unframed oil on board paintings available exclusively from the studio. They are easy to deliver unframed so shipping is free to the UK and free for more than 1 item worldwide.
Check my previous blog post for an idea of how to frame it up when it arrives!
It's great to be able to offer original work at such an affordable price. The sizes and prices will be as follows:
10cm £59
15cm £98
20cm £162
30cm £298
I took my first 2 10cm square studies to my framer Ian Kenny in Hamilton. The Images at the top show what a great job he did. I told him to frame it to the best standard he could, so he used:
Gallery-gold frame : Archivally shadow-float mounted : Hand painted bevel detail : Museum grade uv Waterwhite glass
The little studies, once framed, came in at £195 and both sold to a quick customer the same day.
So the popularity of these studies does mean that some will end up in my usual Scottish outlets. So nip in, choose a frame for it and take it home for an affordable price. Alternatively you could pick one up online by checking my facebook page (link on the border of this blog). Just leave me a note on the image you like and I'll reply with a link to a buying page and have it delivered unframed at no extra cost!
I'll be sending out a tweet when work is delivered to the galleries, so make sure to follow @scottnaismith or check my twitter feed on the home page of my website.
I was recently asked to do an interview for the tailcast.com website (about to be changed to 'createtoday'. Here's a couple of the questions and answers:
What inspires you in your work ?
Final works are completed in my home studio in Glasgow. The rest of my time is spent travelling around the country looking for inspiration in the Scottish landscape. The many lochs, glens and isles of the West coast provide this inspiration for my vibrant and atmospheric oils.
Skies have become an integral part of my work. The weather changes quickly in Scotland’s Western Isles and there’s nothing better than seeing adverse weather conditions clearing as the sun casts new light. These moments of transitional skies are what my current work is about. The emerging light acts as a metaphor for hope and optimism appropriate for for someone 14 weeks into fatherhood! With a big interest in colour play and colour theory, this subject matter also interests me for it’s warm/cool colour contrasts.
Any tips for budding artists / illustrators / photographers ?
I think an unshakeable belief in yourself is necessary to achieve success. Being very critical of your own work and being able to take criticism well is a key part of this.
It’s all about confidence. Confidence is self perpetuating: If you are confident, it translates well in your work which in turn breeds confidence in the next work you do.
I suppose the key would be to stay confident. If your confidence wavers, it can often mean the avoidance of producing anything at all, like writers’ block. You would then need a strategy to get the confidence back. For an artist it might be to begin a new painting with no planning at all with your biggest roller, palette knives or brushes and just improvise and see where it takes you. Challenging yourself is a great way to a feeling of achievement and ultimately renewed confidence.
Here's the proposed billboard to advertise my upcoming show at the Riverside Inverclyde Gallery, Greenock on 2nd October 2010. Small changes to colour and correction to spelling (of enlightenment!) to happen before in gets printed and stuck up. More photos to come once it's up.
If anyone would like an invite to the opening on the 1st Oct, leave me a message on my 'contacts page of my website: http://www.scottnaismith.co.uk
I recently had a request from a client who looked for advice on where to look when buying more paintings. Despite this sounding a little like walking into Tesco and asking to point you in the direction of a good supermarket, I didn't take it the wrong way! The customer was in the process of commissioning a painting from me, and any collection needs a bit of diversity, so I took it as the compliment it was intended! Thought I would publish my response on this blog in case it may help anyone else out there!
(I did list some names of artists to avoid, but thought it might be best to omit them from this blog!)
It may be a matter of personal preference, but I can give you an idea of some of the Scottish artists out there I respect and who's work I admire:
Christopher Wood
If I was to hang 1 abstract work in my house, I'd like it to be 1 from him. Great use of colour, some unusual processes. His work is great if you can afford it! (2-2.5 x price of my work). His website is excellent and regularly updated:
I teach alongside Craig at Reid Kerr College Creative Arts. He has a "Wasps" artist's studio in Hanson St, Glasgow. I regularly poke fun at him for not having his own website! but you will find him on the web in various other sites. The best representation of his current work would be:
Just been shortlisted last week for the Aspect Prize and looks likely (in my opinion) to end up winning. A mixed bag of work, some I'm not keen on, some is really striking. http://www.axisweb.org/seCVWK.aspx?ARTISTID=5243
Jim Wylie
I've always admired his clean, bold brushwork and use of colour. Based in Ayrshire, he paints mostly Scottish Landscape. Lots of his work around the web and is reasonably priced.
Peter Howson
I've always admired his work since I went to a solo exhibition in the McLennan Gallery, Glasgow when I was 15 years old. It was then I told my mum "this is what I want to do".
His figurative depictions of various grotesque characters may be a little too much for some to live with, but I really enjoy his work. Despite working in such a wildly different genre of painting, Howson remains a big influence for me.
ONES TO AVOID!
As a rule, if you're not sure who is a real prospect, make sure the artist has a degree from an Art School. There are some good self taught artists out there but they are few and far between and stand a much poorer chance of being recognised or "making it". Also do a check on what galleries they show with. I show with scotlandart.com on Bath Street and DiRollo Gallery, Dundas St, Edinburgh which are both galleries who would not hang any substandard work. Some galleries are run by owners with no clue about art or any taste... check how long the gallery has been established, these galleries don't last long!
The Glasgow Art Fair, George Square (think it will be SECC next year)
You must get down to see the Art Fair. It gives a great selection and overview of Scottish Art from Commercial Galleries. It brings Galleries from all over Scotland and beyond under one roof. Galleries need to qualify for entry by submitting which artists' work they are hanging and so the vast majority is of a good quality... some do inevitably slip the net!
Hope this is of some use to you. Good luck hunting for paintings, the most important judge of artwork you own, is you! Number 1 reason to buy is to bring you daily pleasure admiring it. Instant appeal isn't always the best sign to buy, artwork, like music can be a "grower".
This year I have put an entry in for 'The Aspect Prize' to be held at Paisley Museum from Friday. I was keen to see the large 1 metre square painting, "Skye Crofts" once it was framed in the hand laid gold leaf frame I had chosen. So I decided to record the occasion on film for youtube, let me know what you think:
They are 15% off this week for a limited time only, so now is the time to get your hands on a set. The quality is great. They have a cork backing neat black edge, gloss finish and come in sets of 4 of the same image.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
ENLIGHTENMENT
10 years of Painting from Scottish Contemporary Landscape Artist Scott Naismith
New 120 page Book spanning 10 years of Scottish landscape painting is out now, just in time for a perfect Christmas gift. Includes guest writing from Richard Sunderland.
There's now 3 different calendars to choose from from RedBubble. All are £14.95 +p&p. Bought some to sell at my recent exhibition and all sold out. They look great. A3 size, ring bound with hanger and plenty space to write in. Makes an ideal Christmas gift. Takes a wee while for delivery, so order soon.
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