How do I make a painting look professional?

Question

I'm doing a painting of a lake with swans and willow trees etc for my friend, and I think it's going ok, but I want to know how to make it look professional. Is there anything I can do that would make it look less like I'd painted it and more like she'd bought it from a posh shop or something?!

Thanks

Answer 1

Only one way to paint a professional-quality picture: learn to paint. There are no tricks to make a mediocre painting into a fine work of art. It takes skill, patience, and knowledge. None of that can be purchased at Wal-Mart or downloaded from the Internet. Sorry.

Answer 2

Put a fancy signature when you are done.

Answer 3

First of all, much depends on what surface you are painting.

Is it paper, or canvas? Also, is it done with oil or acrylic, pastel, pencils or what else?

Each technique has it own way of being handled. However, there are a few "tricks" you can always use:

- If you are using brushes, let some of the brushwork show.

- Do not use color(s) to the edge of your surface

- Finish the work with a coat of glossy medium. It protects the work and it looks very "professional".

The glossy medium could be Damar varnish for oil paints or an acrylic medium for anything else ( you will have yo ask at your supplier's )

- Don't forget to sign the work, not with initials but with full name and date.

-  Choose a nice frame. Not the cheapest stuff available nor an over-ornate fake baroque one but something simple and elegant, maybe witj a hint of color ( better, of course, if it is one of the colors you used in your work ).

Good luck!

Answer 4

Do a last detail of the shadows and highlights. That will give it depth and dimension. Then varnish it with a gloss and put it in a nice frame. It doesn't have to be expensive. Sometimes you can fiind nice looking matts and frames at discount stores. I have found discounted artwork that I buy for the frame... toss the art and then put my art in it's place. Good luck!!!

Answer 5

take a dry sponge right before and area drys to flatten it out. then put you own, personal painting signature at the bottom riht hand corner

Answer 6

Put it in a nice frame.

Answer 7

Blend your edges and keep them clean, not jagged.