Drawing and Painting Animals
For those of you who have been disappointed you weren’t able to purchase the book I wrote a few years ago (it’s out of print now but I hear it can be found on e-Bay), here is a new one. This is actually a compilation of different work - all animal artists. I believe it has excerpts from different artists’ books with step-by-steps of some of their work.
The cat hugging the dog and gosling on the cover are mine and there are lots of fabulous artists that make this book fun. It should be in the book stores by now because my advance copy came a few months ago. I don’t have a clue where I put it, but I did scan the cover so I have proof that it is here in my office…somewhere. Ha!
Image: “Drawing and Painting Animals - The Essential Guide” - Book featuring Lesley Harrison and other animal artists.
Published by admin on October 22nd, 2008 Tagged Announcements, Helpful Hints, New Releases!
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Hi Everyone!
I checked and this book is available and in stock at Amazon.Com:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600611109
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Okay, this may be a completely random question (I don’t know where else to ask it!), but I’ve been wondering for the longest time if there’s some “method” people use for pricing their work. I can’t seem to figure this out and nobody I ask can help me much. I understand that different artists go about pricing their work in different ways, and Lesley, I know you’ve been doing this for years!
Do you have any advice for an artist just starting to delve into this sort of thing?
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:27 am
Yes, Shalese, I would be very interested in any help with this question too as it is difficult to put a price on your work when you are starting out.
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Shalese and Angie,
Ahhh yes, pricing of our precious paintings.
This is a tough one and there are really no rules for it so let me tell you what I’v learned over the years, in brief, and you do with the information what you will.
1. Don’t over price your work. Start low and raise it as the demand becomes greater than what you can fulfill…unless you want your walls covered in your own artwork.
You can always RAISE your prices but it is very awkward and unfair to your clients that have bought at full price to LOWER them. So start low and raise them cautiously.
2. If you have a favorite piece that you think is worth more or you are having a tough time letting it go, raise the price FOR THAT ONE to the place that you are happy to trade it for $…this happens to me once every few years.
I have been told many times by serious art collectors that my prices are very low for the quality of work that they are buying.
People who do not know the art market are sometimes surprised at my prices.
If you plan to make a living with your art it takes very serious dedication to the art and to some business training. Or being willing to give up to half of the proceeds to a gallery or agent so that they can sell it for you.
A lot of that depends on your personality and what you consider your strengths and weaknesses to be.
I personally love the business end, have taken classes and read books for years to help become better at making business decisions.
I am really lame with technical things, computers, ipods, digital cameras, etc. (the really sick thing is that I love them but my brain sure doesn’t work that way)but need them for what I do.
It’s really pitiful and embarrassing to have to ask for help all the time but you know, whatever works! In this world today, they are wonderful tools for running a business of any kind.
Well, maybe not the iPod but I can’t live without music…and living is important if one wants to be around to paint.
My point is, let’s see……..what is my point! Oh yes!…pricing is just the start of it all.
Odds are against ever getting wealthy as an artist…but it does happen to some. Usually the ones that are good at what they do and have a partner of some sort that helps run the business end so that they can paint.
John (my husband) and I are also thinking of teaching some workshops on the business end of art to help young artists.
I mean, all of that sleeping on the floor in my apartment, waiting on tables at night and painting during the day, being terrified how to pay the bills, worrying about how to have enough food for myself and my animals, learning to negotiate with galleries and on and on was just so much fun!!……..but I’d love to help some of you learn from the mistakes I made.
To me, the most amazing thing about spending a lifetime as a professional (some might question that term!) artist is the qualtiy of life it can bring.
Days filled with creative fulfillment, fabulous places to see and great people to meet, incredible gifts of animals and children that are your models and the happiness of knowing that something you create with your own hands can bring such great joy to other…to me, those are the greatest rewards.
Best of all, you will meet glorious people who love art and animals and some of them will become your friends for life.
So, when you price your paintings remember that the pay off is only partially in gold. The best payoff is the life you can create for yourself…and the beauty and love your artwork can bring into a world sorely in need of those two things.
If your main goal is to become rich……..choose something else as a career. But make sure first that money is really going to be the thing that will fulfill you.
October 24th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Thanks so much for answering this question, Leslie! My sister and I had the chance recently to exhibit our art at a local town event, along with many other local artists. It was so thrilling to see all the people and different styles of art! We weren’t selling anything mainly because we didn’t have a tax I.D. number, but another reason was because we didn’t have a clue where to begin pricing things.
I’ve always calcuated somewhat of a price off of how much time I spent on something, but I know that’s not necessarily the best way to go about it. You could spend days on a painting and have it turn out horribly, or spend a few hours and create a masterpiece. People probably won’t want to pay more for a failed painting than a successful one.
I’m at a point in my life where I need to decide what I want to do for a career. There’s no doubt it will be something in art, and my dream is to become an artist, but that’s a very uncertain and trying road. That’s why I was hoping for an answer so I could start selling my stuff now and see where it leads me in the future. So thanks again very much for these tips. It really makes things easier!
October 24th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
How did you start off right from the beginning. The part that scares me is the business side of things. I’ve no idea where to start.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:10 am
A new book from you!
How wonderful is that!
The pastel paintings I did, I could only do, because of your book - I just fell in love with it. And seeing your gorgeous art is just inspiring!
Need to have a look for your new book.
Greetings from Germany
March 7th, 2010 at 8:41 am
I bought your book Painting Animals that Touch the Heart and have found it really inspiring. You make it look so easy, thanks Lesley.
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:10 am
I have both of your books, and they are fantastic!!! You, your artwork, and your books are why I wanted to get into pastels to begin with. Keep up the great work!!!
Nancy