Taking Your Art to the Next

Level Stefan Baumann interviews Michael Atkins where they talk about giving good advice on what to know! The top tips interview with top artist making it as an artist! Moving from amateur to professional artist requires more than just talent. It means making a decision to pursue art as a serious career with focus, discipline, and commitment to growth.

What inspired Mark Atkins to transition was seeing someone like Stefan Baumann on his PBS show, The Grand View, touring national parks and painting professionally. That moment sparked the realization that he wanted more for his life and that becoming a professional artist was possible.

1. Understand what it means to be a professional artist — it’s about focusing your energy on creating art consistently and making money from it, even if it is not your sole income.

2. Recognize the difference between learning as a hobbyist and dedicating yourself as a professional who works regularly to refine craft and develop a market presence.

3. Focus is key — you get what you focus on. Direct your effort toward improving your art and understanding the business side of the art world.

4. Coaching and mentorship are invaluable. They can help you avoid common mistakes, accelerate your growth, and show you how to balance the creative and business sides of your career.

5. Learn key concepts that help your work stand out, such as Stefan Baumann’s “13 Keys,” including effective use of light and sense of place, which are essential to creating impactful plein air paintings.

6. Build your audience and create opportunities by engaging actively on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, where Stefan has found much of his success.

7. Develop the mindset and discipline to treat your art seriously. This means dedicating time to your craft, planning your career steps, and balancing creativity with business skills like marketing and sales.

8. Measure your progress not only by sales and exhibitions but by your artistic growth and the milestones you achieve along your journey.

9. Avoid common pitfalls such as trying to go it alone without guidance. Finding a coach or mentor can keep you motivated, focused, and help you navigate the complexities of turning your passion into a profession.

10. Stay open to feedback and continuous learning. Professional development thrives with support from others who can offer perspective and advice. Making the leap from hobbyist to professional artist is a combination of mindset, skill development, and strategy. By committing to this path with focus and support, you can confidently grow your art career and achieve your artistic goals.

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For more information go to www.StefanBaumann.com https://www.stefanbaumann.com/

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Promoting and creating original art on YouTube is a powerful way for artists to share their work, develop their voice, and connect with a broad audience. Stefan Baumann, an experienced artist and educator, has shared key strategies and insights based on his involvement with YouTube and his workshops that can inspire artists to grow creatively and professionally. 1. The foundation of promoting artwork effectively on YouTube begins with active participation and contribution. By regularly sharing videos that showcase your creative process, thoughts, and finished pieces, you become part of a larger artistic conversation. This engagement not only builds your experience in presenting yourself and your work but also helps your art gain exposure and momentum. Stefan emphasizes that great art is inspired by great art, and through sharing, artists can draw inspiration from others while inspiring in return. Creating and promoting art is never a solitary endeavor; rather, it thrives in a community of shared experiences. 2. Becoming a YouTube contributor motivates artists to create more and better work because the platform is incredibly dynamic and full of potential viewers. With hundreds of millions of people watching videos every second, contributing your unique voice and artwork allows you to reach new audiences who might not otherwise encounter your work. This opportunity not only increases visibility but also encourages continuous creative output, as you are reaching and inspiring others who, in turn, inspire you to improve and evolve. 3. Specific examples from Stefan’s teaching experience demonstrate the benefits of using YouTube for self-discovery and artistic growth. For instance, Gene Carlson, a student of Stefan’s, used YouTube to better understand her own artistic voice and creativity. Creating videos helped her articulate her inspirations and reflect on her work from a distance, which is often difficult when working closely with a piece. This process of externalizing thoughts through video encourages clarity and fosters deeper insight into one’s art. 4. Initially nervous about appearing on camera, Gene’s journey highlights another important benefit of using YouTube: developing confidence and a personal voice. Regularly producing content and engaging with viewers helped her overcome initial fears and become more expressive, both as an artist and a communicator. This practice is crucial because the ability to talk about your work effectively can attract and retain an audience, thereby promoting your art more successfully. 5. When it comes to creating original art, Stefan points out that originality stems from personal experience. He believes that meaningful art arises when artists express their unique experiences in ways that resonate with others. True originality is not about creating something completely detached from the world but rather about conveying universal emotions, memories, and experiences through a personal lens. This connection between the artist’s environment and the shared human experience enables viewers to relate to and be moved by the artwork. 6.

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For more information go to www.StefanBaumann.com https://www.stefanbaumann.com/

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For painting, coaching call me on my phone at 415-606-9074

How to Care for Oil Paint Brushes Properly Taking good care of your oil paint brushes is essential to ensure they last a long time and maintain their performance. A common misconception among artists is that washing brushes with water is an effective way to clean them after using oil paints. In reality, water is the worst way to clean your oil paint brushes, and here’s why. When you clean oil paint brushes with water, especially after using turpentine or turpentine substitutes, it causes a chemical reaction that results in a gummy residue forming at the base of the brush hairs. This residue is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove and eventually damages the brush by clogging the hairs, affecting flexibility and performance. To preserve your brushes, it is crucial to avoid introducing water until you are completely done with the brushes. Instead, start by cleaning your brushes in turpentine or a turpentine substitute. Turpentine dissolves the oil paint effectively without damaging the brush hairs. Once you have wiped the brush to remove as much paint as possible, the next step is to dip your brushes in clove oil. Clove oil acts as a slow drying retardant, meaning it keeps the brush hairs wet and pliable for a longer period, allowing you to reuse them without the paint drying and hardening on the bristles. This also means that if a little clove oil mixes with your paint during reuse, it will not damage the paint's quality because clove oil eventually dries. Here is a recommended step-by-step process for cleaning and preserving your oil paint brushes: 1. Immediately after painting, clean your brush in turpentine or a turpentine substitute to dissolve the oil paint. 2. Wipe the brush off using a clean rag or paper towel to remove excess solvent and paint. 3. Dip the brush into clove oil and allow it to soak, which will keep the hairs moist and ready for reuse. 4. When you’re ready to paint again, wash the brush thoroughly to remove the clove oil and turpentine so that you start with a clean brush. Maintaining this routine ensures that your brushes never come into contact with water during the cleaning process until you are finished using them for the day. This prevents the formation of gummy residues and greatly extends the lifespan of your brushes, preserving their shape and flexibility through normal wear and tear. This method is especially recommended for all types of brushes, but it is particularly important for high-quality brushes such as those made from squirrel hair or camel hair, which can be delicate and expensive. Proper care using turpentine and clove oil ensures you get the most out of these premium tools. In summary, avoid washing oil paint brushes directly with water, and instead use turpentine for cleaning followed by clove oil for preservation. This approach keeps brushes supple, prevents the buildup of residues, and extends their usability, helping you maintain a professional painting toolkit over many years. For further guidance on painting techniques or brush care, you can visit Stefan Baumann’s website or order his “Ultimate Guide to Plein Air Painting,” which is an cuteness cuteness bye sweetie I love you#artcare, #oilpainting, #brushcare, #artistsupplies, #paintingtips, #oilpaintbrush, #turpentine, #cloveoil, #arttools, #paintingtechniques, #artmaintenance, #brushpreservation, #oilarttips, #paintinghacks, #artisttools, #arttechniques, #brushcleaning, #pleinairpainting, #artstudio, and #creativecare

Support the show

For more information go to www.StefanBaumann.com https://www.stefanbaumann.com/

Free Book

For painting, coaching call me on my phone at 415-606-9074