Street Artist

Dianne Gardner · 06-20-2006, 02:02 AM

Judson,
Do you have practice doing this? I assume you do because you say you are ready to market yourself. If so, I suggest either getting a space at a festival or any public market and just start doing it. I spend a good portion of my summer doing this same thing, only I take 30 minutes and do 8 X 10 character sketches in oil. They are very popular, it is a very lucrative business and often I am commissioned to do a more formal portrait in the process.

All you have to do is just set up and start painting and have patience. Eventually word will get around.
I know someone who paints children's faces at the library for free. That too is a way to get known. If you have some portraits on display while you are doing your quick sketches, than that helps all the more.

Good luck on this endeavor. Its tons of fun!

Dianne

Mike McCarty · 06-20-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

To draw a bowl of three apples would understandably take hours.

Judson:

You can paint apples in a bowl in 30 seconds, or 30 days. I think Linda's generous offer would be very informative to your endeavor. I believe that Linda has done this sort of public drawing in the past. I'd listen up.

However, if you choose to pass, maybe Linda would lend her expertise to some other Pilgrim who recognizes the opportunity.

Judson Eneas · 06-20-2006, 09:41 PM

I am greatful for her advice.

Dianne Gardner · 06-20-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

However, if you choose to pass, maybe Linda would lend her expertise to some other Pilgrim who recognizes the opportunity.

I certainly would and will when I have a spare 15 minutes if that offer is open to some other Pilgrim!

Dianne

Chris Saper · 06-20-2006, 11:14 PM

Hi I've moved this topic into the business/marketing area.

Linda Brandon · 06-20-2006, 11:53 PM

Diane, I would love to see some photos of what you're doing... what are you calling "character sketches"? (The "very lucrative" part of your sentence jolted me from my stupor tonight.

) What is your set up - do you use lights? How do you manage the wet canvas handoff to the client? Do they have the right to refuse the painting?

Judson, for arguments sake, let's go for one apple on a plate. I want you to be able to determine if the materials you plan to use can get you to a reasonable sketch in a short time period.

Fifteen minutes... Tickticktickticktick....

Michele Rushworth · 06-20-2006, 11:54 PM

Judson, wherever you set up be sure you don't need a special permit. In many areas artists are not allowed to set up on the street or in a park and charge for their work without written permission from the city or the parks department.

Linda Brandon · 06-21-2006, 12:03 AM

Michele is right, of course. Also be sure to check into loitering, trespassing, solicitation and vagrancy laws which could interfere with your plans even if you were planning to give sketches away.

Dianne Gardner · 06-21-2006, 02:07 AM

Linda,
This is the only photo of any of the sketches I have done and this one was actually a 45 minute sitting. I do have some photos of the painting commissions I got as a result of them. I set up at the Renaissance Faire here every August and it is so fast pace that I do not think about taking photos of the finished work. Once I get started I am doing a painting every half hour for the entire day. I hire a helper. I charge a very minumal fee-$25 and have not had one person dissatisfied with their sketch. If they didn't like it they would either get their money returned to them or else I would take a photo of them and do the portrait at home. All my work is guaranteed. Most people come to the Faire for the entire weekend so the paintings have time to set up (I use a copal medium or liquin) and then pick them up when they are ready to go home. I have sent the paintings to their owners after the Faire too for those that didn't want to transport them wet. They are thrilled with the idea of posing for a portrait-a very 'Renaissance Period' thing to do. We have a lot of fun with it. The children want me to dress them in fairy costumes or give them a sword and shield.

This weekend I am going to an art festival and may do portraits (or not) although I have to admit I am much more comfortable at the Faire when everyone is in costume.

Sorry about the rash term 'lucrative'. I don't think of it as just a money making opportunity so shouldn't have made it sound like that. I love doing it. I have met so many wonderful people and the challenge is stimulating to say the least. I am looking forward to this opportunity again in August. The Faire runs for three weekends.

I do not use lights. There is no electricity at the Faire. Just the sunlight. I might have to move things around during the course of the day. I'm very spontanious and flexible.

Thanks for asking.
Dianne
This sketch was not done at the Faire, that's why I have a photo. This was a son of a 'pirate' family that was advertising for the Faire at an Art in the Park event a couple of weeks before. It was done outside and I just changed the background. But it gives you an idea of what I do.

Julie Deane · 06-21-2006, 08:07 AM

HI Judson -

When I was in college, I worked at Busch Gardens for two summers doing just this sort of thing. It was great practice and a good confidence builder. We did profiles in pastel with a very limited palette and a pretty canned approach. It took 15-20 minutes to do. Possibly other theme parks would be willing to allow an artist to do this as well, for a fee.

In the mountains near my home, there was a gallery advertising for a street artist, I guess to add "atmosphere" for the summer visitors to the area. Someone drawing from life is quite a draw for a business, because folks gather to see what the artist is doing.

Fairs are a way to go too. For example, three years ago, I got in practice by doing profiles in my school where I work at $10 a pop (took 10-15 minutes, charcoal). I started out by doing them at our school's fall festival.

Good luck with your endeavors!