How did you do it?

[Brian Williams]

Hello Everyone,

I am fairly new to this site, and have recently introduced myself. I am two years out on my own since my training. I've done 10 commissions ranging from 10" x 8" to 30" x 20" drawings and oil paintings prices from 100 to 3000 dollars.

I've been reading this business section for a short while and have yet to see my question. The question that's been eating at me and is constantly on my mind.

How did you do it? How did you become a full time portrait artist? How do I become a full time portrait artist? Where do I go from here?

I have ideas and have gathered suggestions from this site. Such as setting up a web site and going to your local news paper. I'm of course like most of us working with a very limited budget, and wondering where it would be best to focus my energies.

Basically, I'm feeling a bit lost in the dark right now. So, if anyone has a match they could lend, a flashlight, compass, or even GPS to help me find my way it would be greatly appreciated.

[Michele Rushworth]

Becoming a full time portrait artist is just a matter of declaring yourself to be one and spending all your non-painting time telling everyone that you are one. Just joking, but only partly. Since there is no license or certification to "become a real artist", whenever you say you are one, you are.

As to the full-time bit, I assume you mean, how do you make more money in order to make a living at it. That's where the marketing comes in.

There are many tips on this forum about how to promote yourself as a portrait artist, and tips on the www.asopa.com (American Society of Portrait Artists) website also. In addition, there are many good books about marketing your work as an artist, some of which are listed in the book section of this site.

Basics include getting business cards made up and giving them to everyone you know, telling everyone that you're available for commissions in case they know of someone who might be interested, getting a website, sending press releases to local papers, doing demonstrations at events in upscale areas (the opening of a new library, school art nights, etc.) donating to charity auctions, carrying around a pocket sized photo album with excellent photos of your best work and showing it to everyone, etc....

Before long many people will know you're really in business, and if your work is up to par, commissions will come. Being a portrait artist is about being an entrepreneur and like anyone who runs a small business, requires many skills and effort beyond just doing the painting.

Good luck!

[Mary Sparrow]

Can you explain to me exactly what a press release is? I have a general idea, but would like to know more.

[Jeff Fuchs]

Becoming a full time portrait artist is just a matter of declaring yourself to be one and spending all your non-painting time telling everyone that you are one.

A few days ago, my wife and I were in a restaurant, and a couple sat at the next table with three beautiful blonde girls, no older than ten. The couple looked affluent enough to afford a portrait.

I told my wife that, when I'm ready to go pro, I need to make a point of complimenting people on how beautiful their children are, and how much I'd love to paint them (as I hand them my card, with a color photo of my work). Shameless commercialism? Sure. Likely to work? Who knows. But they'll never say yes if I don't ask.

Jeff, I hate to be a jerk, but if a man came up to me in a restaurant and told me how beautiful my daughters are, no matter the brochure, I'd be too creeped out to respond favorably. If a woman did it, I'd be flattered. Say what you like - that's just how life is.

Now, if you were Lon Haverly, barking a space in the mall, or if I saw you in a booth at an art show, or met you in a gallery, that would be another story.

Brian, I'm a full time pro because I say so, just like Michele pointed out. If a regular employer offered this to me as a yearly wage, I'd be insulted, but since it's mine, I'm pleased as punch. I'm terribly optimistic that something good is just about to happen.

Yes, you need a website, cards, a portfolio, etc. You already have 10 clients, so you have the start of a mailing list. Start doing the things artists do to market themselves, and when you're financially able, go for it. While you still have a day job, study some to determine whether or not you're really ready to go, skills-wise.

Find a local pro and ask them for their advice - are you really ready to go pro? Do you have the skills to sell? You could also get chummy with a gallery and ask them for their advice.

Start going to the theater and city council; go to a church in the monied part of town. Carry a small portfolio or brochure to show people your work, whenever it comes up. Be seen at the art museum, and other cultural happenings. Try to get in the newspaper. Do a painting of the most important/wealthiest friend you have, and then ask them to host an unveiling party, where there will be wine and contracts.

There are contests and juried shows, which are nice. Go to www.artdeadlines.com to find calls for entry and so on.

Now, I don't do all these things, I do some of them. Mostly I paint, so when I do them, I have a lot of stuff to show that I don't have to make excuses for. I'm at the beginning of my career, so I think of it as though I am building a foundation. When I talk to someone and they ask me what I've done, who I did it for, what my style and influences are, and what "kind" of paintings I do, I want to have a good answer. I have a show soon where I have 12 paintings that all look like they were painted by the same person, and I looked at them and thought, well, gee, I guess it's all coming together.

It sounds like you've made a good start, but you're getting anxious to see "real" progress. 10 commissions is nothing to sneeze at, and you should be able to replant that field and see if something else takes root. Maybe you're already a pro and don't even know it!

[Jeff Fuchs]

Jeff, I hate to be a jerk, but if a man came up to me in a restaurant and told me how beautiful my daughters are, no matter the brochure, I'd be too creeped out to respond favorably.

Yep, it's an uphill battle, and I know that a lot of people feel that way, but where's the percentage in keeping my work a secret? I'd be less inclined to approach people alone. If a couple approached you (say, me and my wife), how would you feel?

Jeff, I think it's just the setting isn't really art-related. Even with your wife, I would feel awkward. But if I saw you at any arty function, I'd be far more receptive. If, for instance, you were drawing people in the park, showing your work at a gallery, etc. If you already had a stick of charcoal in your hand that would be helpful.

I get similar reactions when I ask people to model for me. I'm about 5'1", blonde, and I look a lot like Sandy Duncan I'm told. So when I stride on up to my favorite kind of model (tall, dark, and voluminous) and squeak "Hey, lady, I like your face. Wanna come over and let me take pictures?" I get lots of surprised responses.

That's not really what I say, but that's how I figure they're hearing it. Thing is, I usually meet models at the local bar, at 2 in the morning. But maybe I'm saying too much.

So, to veer back onto topic, networking is a huge asset. But if you're painting children, try to clothe yourself in as much credibility as possible. Meet people in church, through friends, at art functions, etc. Everyone else is fair game - you could say the same thing to a group of women, a young couple, an older couple etc and have them be flattered. But lots of us are irrationally protective of our tiny humans, and probably will stay that way.

[Jeff Fuchs]

But lots of us are irrationally protective of our tiny humans, and probably will stay that way.

As a Child Protection worker, I'm used to dealing with people with looser boundaries. I forget there are protective parents out there. When you're at that bar, at 2 a.m., and see someone there with their kids... those are the parents I'm used to.

[Kimberly Dow]

I wanted to disagree with Lisa on this one, but I erased it. I am overprotective as well, but in certain circumstances it could work. It all depends on their body language, how proud they are of their kids & your body language. She is most-likely right to just nix that idea. It could work, but there are so many ways that the parent could be creeped out that it may not be worth trying!

I think if you & your wife have kids & have run into someone who made your protective hairs stand on end, you would know better what not to do. But if you don't - then I agree, do not try this.

If you do chose sometime to do something like this, don't look at the kids too much, don't talk to the kids directly, talk to the parents - and do not use words that you would use on adults; like "gorgeous" or "beautiful". Try words like "cute" or "adorable".

If you want to paint children, try teaching some classes when you are ready. After teaching this summer I have an endless supply & they all trust me. Not to mention the fact that parents who can afford lessons are already more-likely to be in the affluent group. Plus they show an appreciation for art already by encouraging their kids.

[Brian Williams]

Michele/Lisa

Thank you for replying to my inqury. I had been doing two of your suggestions already. So, I guess mayby I wasn't as lost as I thought. I have a mini-portfolio that's on display with me while I tend bar, and I have been handing out business cards.

However, after reading your replies I have to say it's helped to fuel the fire of business inspiration and self determination. I have begun networking more aggressively, handing out more business cards, and letting it be known that I'm available for hire than prior your replys.

I've also put up two separate dry erase boards in my studio to help keep me on track. One for basic "things to do". The other is a weekly schedule I set for myself showing all available time (before going to work) broken down into hourly blocks. The eraser boards have helped immensely. In addition, I went to the library and signed out a stack of books on artist marketing stategies.

While I may not at this exact time be receiving the amount of commisions I'd like to sustain myself finacially, I have taken on the attitude needed to becoming a full time artist.

Thank you both,
Brian Williams