How can artists assist collectors and potential buyers in purchasing our paintings?
Art marketing gurus offer us many options about how to sell our work and, of course, several do work, but I want to help buyers with a more realistic visual tool. I want to inspire their imagination to envision one of my paintings in their home or office. I thought it would be intriguing to display my work in various interiors so that they could ‘see’ a painting on their wall. Some people call this putting your art ‘in situ.”
How was I going to do this in our digital world? In the ol’ days, people saw paintings on gallery walls and that made the visual transition easier. I wanted to create a separate page on my website similar to one I now have. View here to see my current in situ page.
My first attempts involved taking photographs of paintings in our home and friend’s homes. This seemed okay for awhile, but I found it unsatisfactory and I was not receiving the response I was hoping for from my website visitors.
To no avail, I had even asked owners of my paintings to take photographs of my paintings in their homes/offices.
Then I learned about Google Images while also improving my skills using PhotoShop Elements (version 5).
My process involves:
- Having a good digital image of my painting
- Finding an appropriate photograph of a home or office interior;
- Working with PhotoShop Elements (version 5) to marry the two together.
Once I have decided which painting I am going to insert into an interior, such as “Moon Window” below, I then head off to Google Images => http://images.google.com/.
*** News Update! *** Due to the comments posted on this blog, I am now going to use free or no cost photos that are designated as such. I wrongly assumed that the images I located on the above website were copyright free. I have found photo sites that I can use without fear of copyright infringement, one is www.shutterstock.com, though you will need to create an account. Go to their miscellaneous category and then in their search box, start with the key word ~ interiors. ***
My next decision involves deciding which key words to use in locating the living/conference room I might like. Examples of key words I have used are:
- Photos of blue contemporary living room
- Photos of traditional green sitting room
- Photos of fireplace in contemporary red room
- and on and on……
More options pop up than you can begin to imagine. I look for photographs that are:
- Free, though you can purchase a photo for pennies (I never use a photo with a watermark);
- Straight on in perspective (You cannot skew your paintings in version 5 of Elements but you can in version 9);
- Have a minimal amount of clutter;
- Compatible with my painting’s colors;
- Have a large area on a wall in which to insert my painting;
- Have a size and resolution that is not fuzzy (for example a 1 inch wide image at 72dpi does not work well);
This is one of the interior photos that I chose with “Moon Window.”
I then download several photos of interiors into my “Room Folder” for that painting.
TIP: I tried organizing all of my in situ images into a separate folder, but have learned that it is easier to keep the finished interior images in the same folder for that particular painting.
Then I download the room photo into PhotoShop. Then begin playing with the image. Simultaneously, I have also downloaded the image of my painting into PhotoShop; this allows me to compare to two to make sure they are compatible.
TIP: Duplicate or copy it so that you have a clean copy.
TIP: Use a relatively small file for your painting image, such as one that is about 300-500 pixels wide and a dpi of 125-225. A large file gets too unmanageable and you end up creating a file that is way too large for web use. It is critical that all artists learn how to downsize your images for your art marketing efforts. Here is another downsizing resource.
When you compare my final in situ image for “Moon Window,” you will notice that I erased distracting items from this interior scene, including that wall art at the end of the hall.
Once I have inserted my painting, I then create a sense of depth by putting an edge or frame around the painting. Being aware of the light source in the room, I then create a cast shadow.
Below is another example of how to show your paintings on a wall — the before and after room. As you might notice, I will take colors from my painting and brush them into small areas within the room. This helps to integrate all of the interior elements. Cropping is also something I do often.
This is the conference interior room that I chose for “Alice’s Key.”
Here is in my in situ image for “Alice’s Key.”
How long does this take for each painting? About 20-30 minutes. Currently, I am looking for someone to help me with this task.
I also use these images in an 8.5″ x 11″ portfolio to show. It is fascinating to see their wheels begin to turn as they imagine one of my paintings in their home or office.
What do you think of this idea? Are you ready to give it try? Let me know how is works for your art marketing. If you have done something similar to what I have explained, please share them with us.
P.S. If you like this post and find it helpful, I’d love it if you’d pass it on via email or social media. You can use the buttons at the bottom of this post to share it.
Thank you! Let me know how this works for you. Glad I could be of assistance.
Thank you for this awesome post, Carol!! I’ve tried doing this in programs other than Photoshop Essentials and was using purchased settings from a photography site. The results were less than thrilling…..I’m excited to give this a try and appreciate your sharing this excellent information with us!!
Thank you so much for sharing this information. I’ve never tried anything like this, but I do have Photoshop Elements, not sure what version, might need an update.
Wonderful information. Is there a copyright issue with google images?
Kathryn. It doesn’t matter which version of Elements that you have. I mentioned it so that people did not think they needed the latest version or that they needed the momma version of PhotoShop. Best of luck! Thanks for stopping by.
Laura, Thank you! I indirectly answered that question when I stated that I never use a photo that has a water mark on it. Have fun with it! Let me know how it works for you.
Just learned of this free opp to learn about PhotoShop https://www.facebook.com/lynda/app_325181790894701?ref=ts
Available this week only.
I love this brilliant idea!! I use Photoshop Elements 8 and I have dropped my paintings into my booth images but I need to learn how to place the frame and drop shadow around the artwork. Thank you for this article, I can’t wait to give it a try!
Let me know how it works for you. Thanks for your encouraging comments and for stopping by.
Great idea. But the first alarm that screams in my head is copyright infringement. I’m sure you get the photographer’s permission to use and alter their photos (that you found in Google images) but just didn’t mention that important step. As artists, we must protect the rights and works of other artists. – Tom
Tom, I dealt with the copyright subject indirectly when I said I never use images with water marks. Honoring artists copyrights is very important. When I looked into Google images, it was explained to me that they are available for anyone to use unless there is a watermark. BTW, none of the images I use have names attached nor is there a way to know who the photographer was. If you have more data, please pass it along.
Thanks for getting back to me. However, now I am concerned with Google Images approach. Many of my paintings (images) can be found on Google Image and I do not embed them with a watermark. However, with that being said, I would not want someone to be able to take, use or alter my art. Thoughts? – Tom
The copyright issue is certainly relevant. I used to write a blog called Artful Home and used a photo snagged from another blog which had no watermarks or other identifier. I did the same thing that Carol does by placing an artwork image into the room. A few weeks after the blog post I received a “cease and desist” letter from Corbis Images, along with a bill for $800! This company means business folks and they don’t mess around. I had to pay the $800….a tough lesson indeed. I had no idea the image belonged to this company until the threat letter came, so be very careful. Evidently many of these stock photo, magazine and other companies have algorithims that can track their photos online. The only way you can be safe is to take your own photos.
Tom, how do you know that your images are on Google Images? Now you have me concerned. I had not really taken the time to think about where they are getting the images. Time to do some research?
Oh my! Thank you Sandy. As I just mentioned to Tom, do we know where the Google images come from? I have been trusting what I was told by a couple of people. Guess I have been naive. Thank you for the info and sorry to hear of your “lesson.” I will proceed will with caution.
Thanks Tom. This is disturbing, though my signature and (c) does show up on most of my paintings. Hmmmm, time to add the watermark.
Again a big thank you to Tom and Sandy and others. I do not want to infringe on anyone’s copyright or artistic license.
I have found there are free or no-cost photo sites on the internet. Above I inserted the site I found recently and there are plenty of photos available to use legitimately. I am also going to take photos in homes of my friends.
You are welcome Jay and I hope it works for you. Many thanks for the Pin on Pinterest! 🙂
Jacquie, I am sure there is but I am not aware of one. I bet if you did some searching on the web you would find it. Let me know if you do!
Flora, I don’t. I just guess and sometimes it is “off” a bit.
Liza, glad you found it helpful. Let me know how it goes and if you have any questions.
Hi Gayle; I wrote this blog a couple of years ago and it seems that there are fewer true “free” photos. However, you can buy them at really inexpensive prices. When you buy them, the watermark will obviously go away. I don’t have any other suggestions except to keep looking. Have to checked Canvo.com (or canvoo.com) for photos? I haven’t work with that website but I hear people refer to it.
I don’t know anything about Photoshop Express. Please let me know if it works!
I have asked a few artists about apps for inserting paintings and no one knows of one. This surprises me. I wish I had an answer for you and many others. BTW, I keep re-using photos I already have, that is why I have not spent time looking for new photos. Let me know if you find anything and I will do the same. Carol