THE ART DIRECTORY

100 BEST FREE ART E-BOOKS

2011-08-06T23:18:00.000-07:00

Artrillium House's art school "Gold Coast Art Classes" has created a comprehensive list of the many free instructional and other art related e-books.

A wonderful collection of modern and classical art books either domain free or courtesy offered publications and magazines.

Classical books tent to teach skills by keen observation and attention to detail, often missed in modern publications. And although recent books are often easier to read, they often fail to provide some profound details offered within those good old classical books.

And there are some real gems to find in this collection. We tried to make it easy on the eye and have included with each link a short description about the content of the book.

So check our new listing out at http://www.goldcoastartclasses.com/100-best-free-art-e-books.html

Have fun...

Martina
Director

The Creative Business Toolbox for Artists

2011-04-16T20:13:00.000-07:00

The Art Queensland's Business Toolbox for Artists offers a range of extremely handy templates.

Find it at www.arts.qld.gov.au

To Plan:

Business Plan Template
7 Steps to business success
CBT Business Plan Template
NVSC Carry Out Business Planning
Proforma Executive Summary
RMIT Business Plan Template

For Finance:

Annual Cash Flow Forecast
Annual Profit Budget
Budgeting and Forecasting
Income Budget
Invest Proforma
RMIT Business NEIS Feasibility Study Template
RMIT Business NEIS Cashflow Template

To Protect:

Risk Management Guide for the Arts

To Market:

Boost Marketing Action Plan Template
Boost Guide - Writing Your Marketing Action Plan
MA2 Marketing Planning
7 steps to business success
Market Planning Kit
NVSC Develop Funds & Resources
and much more

To Export

Export Capability Statement
Export Market Plan Template

GET YOUR BEST WORK TO MORE BUYERS WITH GICLEE FINE ART PRINTING

2011-02-05T21:36:00.000-08:00

What makes Giclee Prints so attractive?

The ink being used in the Giclee printing process is of a special light fast ink. If exposed to the sun it will remain true for up to 25 years.
Giclee prints can be printed on virtually any paper or canvas producing prints which are as close as possible to the original.
The Giclee process allows very small print runs, once the initial scan has been done. No other QUALITY printing process is as economical and makes it affordable for smaller print runs, from just one single print to any amount you would like to go.

by Gary T. Kerr - Fine Art Impressions

While there are numerous ways to reproduce fine art today, the giclée process is widely accepted. However, the quality of giclée printmaking varies as much as the art itself, and therein lies the challenge: How to set about making a good choice of fine art giclée printmaker? How do you know you are getting museum quality at competitive pricing? It starts with determining the experience of the printmaker and establishing a level of trust before handing over your art.

The accuracy of the process to digitize your art will determine 90% of the quality achieved in the final print. As a result, for a printmaker not to handle this most essential step in-house is a red flag.

Similarly, do not think that you can photograph the art yourself. This is the single biggest pitfall in replicating original art, as lack of image sharpness, inaccurate color, and loss of detail inevitably lead to failure in giclée printmaking.

The next step is to ask the right questions to qualify the shop’s claims to offer high quality giclée printmaking. What method do they employ to capture artwork? BetterLight scanning backs and Cruse scanners are known for their ability to capture art accurately, so if you hear those terms, you are probably on the right track. With regard to the megapixel issue, today’s industry standards call for 100 megapixels or more. Quality work can be achieved with less on smaller works of art, but why not make the investment in a preservation-grade digital capture to ensure that the DNA of your art is retained in the digital image?

Next, ask about proofing policies. Make sure you have the final say on proofing and accept nothing less than a near replication of the color, sharpness, texture, and nuance detail of the original. If a printmaker offers a fixed fee for proofing but allows you to view and adjust the image without running up additional proofing fees, you have probably found a competent printmaker. Also, it is imperative that you are able to view the proof with your original art in order to achieve a gallery acceptable print.

Next step, you need to ensure your prints don’t shift or fade in color over time. In order to meet the high standards of the fine art market, make sure your printmaker can declare that they are utilizing industry-tested archival media and pigment inks. You can also qualify a printmaker by the type of art they are capable of reproducing. It is clear that oil paintings can be more difficult to replicate accurately than a watercolour.

If a shop is not reproducing oil paintings on canvas with a liquid laminate surface protection, you have another red flag. Other insightful details to discover include the printmaker’s policies for certifying a print as a limited edition with respect to a Certificate of Authenticity. This certificate is your assurance that the printmaker will support your efforts to make a limited edition print and your guarantee that the edition is not compromised.

Another important subject to broach is who owns the digital file. If a photographer points their camera at your art to digitize it, it is only legal to do so with your express permission as the owner of that copyrighted image. This is a widely misunderstood area of copyright law, so make certain your fee for the capture includes your right to possession of that file after the project is complete, and accept nothing less. It is your copyrighted material, and the printmaker has no right to hold you hostage by not offering you a copy of the production file.

Finding a good digital fine art printmaker is similar to buying real estate, minimize the number of negatives.

Make sure they don’t raise any of the following red flags:

Outsourcing the digitizing of the art to a third party.Telling you to get your art scanned anywhere and they will print it.
Immediately accepting your digital file without a cautionary note.
Talking about brands of printers while downplaying the importance of the capture quality.
Employing a 35 mm camera or consumer scanners for capture (39 megapixel digital cameras are sufficient for smaller works).
Being unwilling or unable to allow you to view and approve a proof in the presence of your original art.
Utilizing dye-based inks for printing instead of pigment inks.
Telling you that laminating canvas isn’t necessary.
Not offering you a master copy of the production digital file.
Boasting a low cost per square inch to get your business.
Being unwilling to send a sample of their work.

As you can see, there are a prodigious number of issues to resolve before entrusting your art to a printmaking studio. Even if you feel you have found a quality shop, my suggestion is to give them one painting and go through the entire process from start to finish to see how they handle your project. If you trust them with one painting instead of taking a chance with 10, you reduce your risks and can make a sound judgment from your own experience with that particular printmaker. Be certain you get your questions answered upfront and take the time to assess the skills, history, policies, and reputation of the printmaker prior to sending your artwork. In the end, choosing the right printmaker can make or break the market acceptance of your prints.

The 10 Warning Signs of an Inferior Giclée

Blurred or soft image focus.
Poor image delineation or sharpness.
Overexposed highlight detail or underexposed shadow detail.
Pixel artifacts; Jpeg compression, poor scan quality, pixel noise.
“Halo” outlines or improper/excessive image sharpening.
Poor color rendition or “fake” looking colors, flat or lifeless colors.
Printer malfunctions; banding, streaking or other misprint patterns.
No texture, detail, or nuance in the print.
Lack of UV coating on canvas prints.
Color cast, poor gray balance, or odd tint.

Artrillium House Director Martina Pook and her team recommends Fine Art Imaging as one of the printers who address all mentioned issues. Check out their website at www.fineartimaging.com.au

BRILLIANT MARKETING BOOK FOR VISUAL ARTISTS AND IT'S FREE

2010-12-16T16:23:00.000-08:00

Most marketing books written these days are plainly gibberish to most artists.

"What's My Market" is probably the easiest understandable book of this type, at least in comparison to most other books, as it is written for artists. It is well presented and speaks in the language of an artist heart. it also has real life examples from Australian artists.

It is a bit of work and investment of time, but definitely, absolutely worth it. Why?

A word of advice. Over the many years of mentoring emerging artists, I have come across too many times the statement "I am not good at business, I don't like it, nor enjoy it, It would take too much of my time." An understandable but disputable notion, when coming from artist's working day in, day out in a job they don't like just to survive. this thinking is virtually not affordable these days and can be transformed into positive steps of action.

I considered myself once the most hopeless business talented version of a being. I had zero idea about business, but loved art and wished to make a living from it. and after many years of stating the same as most artists, I just had enough one day. I began searching for options and answers. And boy when you go that road.....

I think there is no other country than Australia offering such vast amount of free or low cost seminars in the field of art business. the amount of free publications for artists is huge.

But we also offer a handpicked selection of free art e-books and articles at http://www.artrilliumhouse.com/Art-Loans1.html. with "What's My Market" being one of them. NAVA as the Artworkers Alliance, ABAF and others offer seminars for artists.

I had no idea that the thing I hated once so much would become the easiest thing to me, as knowledge takes the fear away, and without fear it becomes comfortable. And what a great feeling when you know what you are doing, instead of running in the dark. You also become independent of others and this knowledge nobody can ever take away again.

I hope that this book will give you a kick start.

Martina

Dierctor

Artrillium House - The Art Directory

ART CONNECTING WITH BUSINESS

2010-12-16T08:51:00.000-08:00

The AbaF has provided business skills development to more than 1000 visual artists throughout Australia.

AbaF is an organisation focused upon making connections. Working with large and small businesses, all types of arts organisations, individual artists, trusts and foundations, the AbaF promotes private sector support for the arts through three key programs: Partnering, Giving and Volunteering.

The AbaF Artist Business program includes a free workshop covering business essentials like tax, insurance, risk management and copyright. Topics also featured include building relationships with clients and galleries, going to market, documenting artwork, building a client base, promotion and media relations.

Artists can also ask specific questions using the AbaF adviceLine and/or request a business adviser to assist with a specific project through adviceBank.

In connecting artists with donors, AbaF will provide artists advice and information about how to harness the support of their existing network strategically to help raise money. If an artist doesn’t have any 'supporters' AbaF will suggest investigating scholarships, prizes, residencies particularly to an artist’s artform/locality as a starting point.

The AbaF is not a membership body. All businesses, not-for-profit cultural organisations, individual donors and foundations can become involved with AbaF and access their services without charge.

AbaF is a national organisation headquartered in Melbourne. For more information about Artist Business or workshop dates, a list of State contacts is found here .

ART COMPETITION TIPS FOR ARTISTS AND ART SHOW ORGANISERS

2010-12-16T08:49:00.000-08:00

For an artist, entering an art competition for the first time can be quite daunting. Organising an art competition can seem equally complex.

However resources are available to assist both artists and organizers in their approach.

For the artist – it is important to consider the entry process in a logical, step by step manner.

Karen Leland’s article: Five Tips for Getting into Juried Art Shows discusses aspects such as the importance of applying for the show that fits your work, considering the hire of a professional photographer to assist in entry presentation, ensuring the application is exactly followed, crafting the order and the importance of framing if entries are accepted.

For organizers – the article Tips for Running Artistic Competitions encourages viewing the organization of art competitons as a marketing opportunity. Matters to be considered for successful art competitions include initial logo development, a two stage competition structure and the provision of runner up prizes as incentives.

In future blogs, we will discuss some of the many other issues affecting artists and organizers of art competitions. These include the respective Codes of Practice and for artists, Tips for Grant Writing.

What are some of your key concerns as an artist or an organizer? We’d love to hear.

Until next time, Take care

Pic Credit: Simon Howden

MOST INSPIRING INTERVIEW WITH ERIC BOOTH

2010-12-16T08:46:00.000-08:00

The Australia Council for the Arts featured Eric Booth, one of America's leading key note speaker and expert on arts learning and creativity in an interview.

A Podcast of the interview can be viewed at the Australia Council for the Arts Arts Research Hub.

I've had the honour and absolute joy listening and speaking with Eric twice when he visited Australia.

The first time I saw Eric was at the "ArtSpeak" Conference, and again for a one day seminar "Brokering Artists in Communities" in Brisbane.

He was the most inspiring speaker imaginable. His words resonated still a long time after. Rarely have I heard so relevant ideas and such a passionate, and open-minded person, willing to admit his own shortcomings and that of the arts industry.
He has written, "The Music Teaching Bible" brilliant for any art teacher, and "The Everyday Work of Art: How Artistic Experience Can Transform Your Life", bot available at Amazon.

He speaks about the irrelevance between artists and the community, a gap emerged more than 50 years ago and getting bigger and bigger.

Eric Booth has a way of making aware how important it is to bring relevance back between the artists and their community.

Realizing that it is not just enough to use means of increasing clever marketing methods, when the art as such,in fact has no relevance to the community. Virtually trying to suck as many people into the arts, just for the arts sake. And he opened ways of how one can connect with the community to bring this relevance back.

Giving an example he told us that he will speak a Shakespeare Sonnet in 3 minutes. After a short moment of silence he asked "What did you just thought when I said this...., no I am mean what you really thought." He suggested that we probably would not jump up in utter joy to welcome such offer.

He then went on asking to answer some questions first before his demonstration of the sonnet. I cannot recall all of them, but the first was, to remember a time in our lives when you were really deeply down. So down, that it can't go any lower than that. We were to remember those moments and to write down in one word how we would describe this.

One of the following questions were to think about two very typical reactions we usually have in those situations, such as withdrawal, wanting to be alone etc.

And last he asked, if we had any means at our disposal, what could make us come out of this situation?

He then spoke the Sheakspheare sonnet. I have never in my live, heard Sheakespheare like this before. A 400 year old text became utter relvant to myself, so deeply resonating became those words.

I was astonished and stunned by the fact how littel personal involvement and input is needed to give personal relevance to an art form, I usually would not be interested in.

And there was so much more to digest. His ideas were fresh, new and totally inspiring.

But you just listen for yourself.

Eric Booths Interview

http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/research/community_arts/reports_and_publication /eric_booth_in_conversation

Martina Pook

Co-Director

Artrillium House

THE BUSINESS OF ART

2010-12-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

Establishing a business for any professional can be daunting - and no less so for the emerging artist. However relevant professional arts organisations and government bodies such as the Australian Council for the Arts provide a plethora of free resources to assist. Information available covers topics such as planning, marketing, tax issues, copyright and mentorship - to name just a few.

We have listed many of the key resources on our website - please click here

As business journalist and author Peter Switzer says: 'Even if your business has the most humble beginnings with a strategy and passion it can grow to great things'. Fully utilising resources such as these can help harness your passion and skill, and facilitate your career development as a professional artist.

In this blog, we will discuss in more detail those issues affecting the professional artist - whether you are just beginning or already established.

In the meantime, if there is anything you would like more information about please do not hesitate to Email us.

Don't forget you can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook. We look forward to connecting with you soon.

Until next time. Best wishes.

Picture courtesy of Salvatore Vuono

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COPYRIGHT 300 YEARS

2010-12-16T06:40:00.000-08:00

The 10th of April 2010 marks the 300th anniversary of the date on which Queen Anne signed into law ”an act for the encouragement of learning” - the first copyright law.

Especially within the last 10 years copyright has changed dramatically.

Artists who believe that there is still a rule that copyright doesn't apply or is not being breached when photographs or other images are being used when significantly changed to a certain percentage, are deeply wrong.

No matter how much, even 1% only, if clearly visible coming from another source then their own is copyright breach.

And copyright does not need to be registered, it is automatic.

The best way for Australian artists to find out about copyright and it’s constant updates is the Australia Copyright Council, also offering the newest changes in their e-mail newsletter.

Check http://www.copyright.org.au/

Martina Pook

Co-Director

Artrillium House

JOBS & CAREERS IN AUSTRALIA FOR THE ARTS AND CREATIVE INDUSTRY

2010-12-16T06:34:00.000-08:00

The artsHub, arts at heart team has been established by a mix of artists, enthusiasts, musicians, performers, comedians and some Internet business people, who since 2000 seem to have created a brilliant mix of a truly well working and professionally created website hub.

This Australian Arts Portal is a clean and easy to read online hub offering not only a searchable directory with more than 800 art related companies in Australia, in the fields of:

Associations & Charities, Governments & Municipalities, Museums & Libraries, Visual Arts, Education & Training, Digital Media, Performing Arts,Design, Architecture & Building, Film / TV / Radio, Sales / Marketing / PR /Adv, Publishing & Writing, Venues, Professional Arts Services, Festival Organizations, but also a well presented online job offer database.

You can browse jobs in the art sector in the widest sense, including Writing / Publishing jobs, Performing Arts jobs, Film / TV / Radio jobs, Marketing / PR jobs, Arts Management jobs, Visual Arts jobs, Sales / Advertising jobs, Museums / Libraries / Associations jobs, Design jobs, Music jobs, Production / Technical jobs and you can search by state.

Their news section is worth having a look at.

This hub gets the total thumb up from us at Artrillium House.

Martina Pook

Co-Director

Artrillium House