Samples I've been working on - no. 1
 

I've been trying to get samples for flyers to start selling my work locally.
Here's one. Vine charcoal on charcoal paper, about 11 x 14.

And another
 

I couldn't get the camera to focus totally clearly, but you get the idea.

Julie, these are lovely. I love the one of the little girl, her pose, expression. It's very fresh, the way you've handled it. Beautiful!

Thanks
 

Thanks, David -

I don't consider these as more than simple poses done the best I can at the moment. Any time I start feeling like I'm "getting it", all I have to do is look at other work on this site and see how much farther I have to go.

I think part of being an artist is realizing your present limitations, and going ahead anyway. Because you can't help it......

Julie -
These are very appealing! The second one is my favorite - handsome with character.

Thanks
 

Thanks, Kim -

I appreciate your kind comments.

Hi Julie--
These are well done, I like the expression and the candidness of the little girl's pose... but somehow prefer the one of the boy--it has so much character.

Don't remember seeing you post work in charcoal before, only oils. So, I was surprised on opening this thread to see that you were putting together sample pieces in charcoal-- generally what's in your portfolio/samples tends to drive what you'll sell. Are the charcoal drawings something new you're offering?

Variety
 

Hi Terri -

Next year, I am planning on working four days a week instead of five, and am trying to market myself more in preparation for that time.

To that end I am trying to offer a variety of options. I've printed a flyer that shows one main oil and a variety of charcoal pieces, along with pricing at three levels: charcoal, pastel, oils. When I get some pastel pieces done, then they will also be represented in the flyer.

Because of time constraints for a private school auction coming up, I'm current working in pastel rather than oils. I plan to show it and a charcoal piece as samples. I wish I had an oil to bring too, but the only sample I would want to show at the moment is at a gallery in a town nearby (yes! I have representation now! :) ).

Hi Julie,

I like these very much, they are soft and fresh. I've been doing a lot of charcoals myself lately and I think that they are a good marketing move to attract those who don't have the budget for an oil painting. I find that I am also attracting people with a more minimalist decorating philosophy - people who just don't want a lot of color on the walls (or maybe those who prefer black and white photography to color). When I do them I try to get the subjects to sit for me and that way I get a "free" life model as a bonus.

Have you tried black Nupastel, by the way?

That's great news, Julie! (on both counts)