Portrait drawing speed demo timelapse of a really sweet couple I know here on O'ahu. Thought I would keep today's video nice and mellow, but if you're curious about how the commissioning process works for getting a custom portrait drawn check this vid out:
And here are the materials I use to draw these portraits:
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originally published January 17, 2019
Another 3D oil painting coming atcha! Creating 'Pinch Me' was so much fun! Watching each layer rise with the addition of the bulbs gave this hand painting such a dreamlike and multi- dimensional feel, not to mention the initial sunlight dappling on the form.
Painting unusual shadow shapes can definitely play with your eyes and mind a little bit, but trusting your initial drawing and your source image will help you stay on track when attempting such an odd task :)
Hope you learn a lot from the accompanying tips + techniques! Here are the other videos I mention:
Painting Caucasian Skin Tone:
Painting Melanin Rich Skin Tones:
Making Painting Panels:
Making Shallow Shadowbox Frames (perfect for resin pouring!)
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originally published January 10, 2019
Creating a line of greeting cards to sell out of a series of drawings or paintings is a great way that many artists make passive income, which can be key to a thriving career as an artist.
Today I'm first going to discuss a little bit about I chose to make these Happy Hawai'i greeting cards (since they are quite different than the paintings I usually create!) in hopes of inspiring you to look around for opportunities to offer something reproducible within your own art business. Next I'll share my step-by-step approach to digitizing and formatting both the greeting cards as well as the logo'd insert and sourcing packaging. Then keep an eye on this channel (subscribe!) because I've got a video in the works about how to approach shops to carry your cards! Yay!
As artists we love to make things with our own hands. However if everything we make money on is original and made by hand then there is a limit to how many pieces we can sell. Conversely, if we find ways to sell art reproductions or products (or even better, find ways to have other people/businesses sell our products for us!) then the potential for income is as infinite as the popularity of the item.
Formatting:
UPC Code:
https://www.instantupccodes.com
Bar Code:
Compostable Packaging:
Plant Raffia:
Snag a set of Happy Hawai'i Greeting Cards!
https://www.happyhawaiigreetingcards.com
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originally published January 3, 2018
Woo Hoo! I’m starting off the New Year covered in paint from frame making and I’d like to wish you a productive and paint-filled 2019 as well! Cheers to killin’ it every day!
Have you already decided on your productivity resolution yet? If not check out this super handy lil checklist I made in 2017 that is a great tool to help you grab 2019 by the horns!
https://www.caleighbirdart.com/artist-blog/new-years-resolution-activity
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originally published January 1, 2019
Mela Kalikimaka folks! I hope you are having a fabulous holiday season with plenty of friends and family around :)
I'm taking two weeks off to get ready to hit 2019 running full force so I hope if you've got a little time on your hands you can catch up on some of my most helpful recent videos.
Here's where you can find everything I mention in this vid; enjoy!
Oil Painting for Beginners:
How to Paint Melanin Rich Skin Tones:
My 3D Oil Paintings:
Shapeshifter:
In the Beginning...:
Writing an Exciting Artist Statement:
**Photo credit my sister artist Jay Bird @_photobird_ taken on the Lanipo ridge hike right by my house last week.
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originally published December 20, 2018
Oil painting for beginners is not nearly as daunting as you may think. Most of the supplies are inexpensive and will last years and years, and once you get the feel for your paints and brushes you'll be improving your technique in no time!
I have detailed videos about almost everything in this video here:
My Art Station Set Up:
How to Make a Painting Panel:
My Favorite Brushes for Portrait Paintings:
How to Mix Skin Tones:
How to Clean Up After Oil Painting:
How to Wash Your Brushes:
How to Blend Oil Paint:
How to Varnish Your Oil Painting:
Palette knife:
Medium:
Canvas Pad:
Specific Paints* ::
Titanium White
Burnt Sienna
Raw Umber
Yellow Ochre
Cadmium Yellow
Cadmium Red
Cobalt Blue
Cerulean Blue
Oxide Green
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originally published December 15, 2108
Dang I feel like I’ve been painting so much lately without finishing a thing! This makes painting No. 4 that is presently waiting to be acrylic resin layered.
Lately I’ve been putting all my funds into printing the Happy Hawai’i Greeting Cards that I’ve had to hold off on finishing a growing stack of artwork. The first set of five 3D paintings I created was with a fantastic resin but it was so pricey I decided to look for another brand instead that was a little bit cheaper but it wound up being horrible (and you can’t return open containers!).
I just sourced yet a third and fourth brand that will arrive in the coming weeks (screw it, I’m going all in) that are both waaaaaay cheaper than the original great one but that claim to be just as excellent. Keeping my fingers crossed that one of these next ones will work because it will cut down my resin costs by over 80% and I won’t have wait to create any more. Yay!
Above is a little oil painting I knocked out this past week. I still need to add in her hair and on the next layer will be the orchid she’s gripping in her teeth.
Below are two more that are waiting ever-so-patiently to be layered. Soon enough, my darlings!!!
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originally published December 11, 2018
Ugh taking photos of artwork without a glare can be so frustrating! I have been trying to figure out a good technique and I've finally found one that just uses a little black paint and a piece of cardboard to make a glare-free setup.
If I can finally manage to get good shots of my resin layered 3D oil paintings then I’m sure you can too!
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originally published December 6, 2018
Painting melanin rich skin actually utilizes much of the same paint as any other skin tone, it's all in the quantities used. Today I'm going to share how to create a lovely vibrant variety of hues that I'm using in my next painting.
Here’s my palette all laid out. You definitely don’t have to match it exactly, but at least it gives you an idea of how to get started. In the video I talk more about the concepts of creating these tines rather that the actual paint mix ratios so you will be able to create these tones with whatever you have as well.
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originally published November 29, 2018
One of my favorite models sat for us last week and then just a few days later I was lucky enough to be dancing up a storm with her to two smashingly good local soul funk bands Goodfoot and The Elevations right here in Honolulu.
Erica is so much fun and has been art modeling for over 20 years! I definitely learn so much from her, both from drawing her form as well as taking notes on how to hold myself when it's my days to model... not to mention being inspired by her eternally-young-at-heart attitude. I just love being able to connect with people in a deeper way, and something about being a figure model almost requires a comfort with openness and vulnerability that I adore so much.
Here’s a few more of Erica:
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originally published November 27, 2018
