I wanted to try something a little different to what I normally do and so ended up with this effort from my pochade box. I'd love to say I was there but I'd be lying.
'Oil Painting Step-by-Step - Still Waters' is the title of my book publishing debut. It's a tutorial following the last oil painting I did consisting of a series of photographs with accompanying text explaining the colours and techniques. I've decided on the 8" x 5" paperback in black and white to keep publishing costs as low as possible and to give myself a fighting chance of selling a few copies.
13 comments:
How much more was the colour one Steven? I know one of Ron Ranson's very first books had a lot of black and white images in it. However do find out if there is an option to have a few images in the book in colour. Painters struggle at the best of times with trying to get their colours right so it may help for readers to see at least two or three images in colour. I know you are so keen to get started on your book but maybe save up for a wee bit longer to get what you really want. Just a suggestion by the way!
I just had to comment on this picture. The color and design are fabulous. They grabbed my eye from the little Blogger thumbnail, and I've had to sit and stare at it. Very nice!
Hi Caroline, the cost of a colour publication is at least a further £10 pushing the total cost upwards of £14. That’s before I even add my own cut and I just cannot see them selling at that price. The 8” x 5” black and white paperback only costs £3.50. Though the inside is black and white, the front and back covers are in colour so at least the reader would see what the painting looks like in colour. In saying that, I want to do a watercolour step-by-step guide next and I think I’ll make that one in colour despite the extra cost. I’ll be interested to see whether people will pay the extra for the better format. Happy painting! Regards, Steven.
Thanks NetRaptor for your kind comments.
I just bought a 9 x 7 inch Studio handbook which is a practical guide to oil painting. It has 90 pages and is colour throughout. I guess the author got a big run on it to keep the costs down. He is an art tutor in England. I paid just over £15 for it but got a £5 discount as the cover was slightly small and the author was not happy about this. However I don't mind that and it gives me a complete handbook all about oil painting from techniques and classical painting too. I think the going rate for a book is about £17.99.
I think the watercolour idea is really going to take off and I would pay the £17.99 for one. The main thing is to try and get as much interest going from fellow artists and students. I really think your watercolours are outstanding, imho.
Hi Caroline, I’m definitely going to try a colour book but for the first one I wanted to make it as cheap as possible. I’ve been painting less than four years and may be trying to run before I can walk. I’m going to price this book around £6.99 and see what happens. Is there a link to this book you have bought? Thanks for the compliment. Regards, Steven.
http://www.makinnear.com/
Hi Steven, the above link will take you to his website. I hope the book details are on the site. Let me know if you have any problems finding it. His work really is wonderful, I always wanted to go on one of his courses but it is at the other side of the country and I can't afford it with the travelling and accommodation costs too. A dream I guess for one day.
Exciting news about the books you want to do. I think writing books is good as you bring the information you feel is important at the time, it is also like a reveiw of your own work too. I would be interested in the colour watercolour book when you get there. Good luck with your projects.
Hi Steven, if you go to my dash board you will see the blogs I follow if you click on the studio you will be taken to Martin's studio blog and it has full details of the book on it.
Are those prices for blurb.com Steven?
I understand why you are thinking about a black-and-white book to start with, but I wonder whether that's a good idea. Painting is so much about colour for most people. As you say, it will be interesting to see whether there is any more interest in the watercolour book.
I've just seen an art auction website that I thought you might be interested in - http://www.arthamster.com/. They don't seem to be getting any sales at the moment, but they might be worth keeping an eye on as an alternative to ebay.
Hi Keith, the prices are the base cost of each type of book. Whatever extra you add on top is your profit. I guess time will tell whether black and white works.
Thanks for the link. As you say, sales seem few and far between. To be honest, as an alternative to eBay I was thinking of trying the online gallery you use at www.on-linegallery.co.uk Do you have much success with it?
Not much really Steven. I've sold one painting on there in a couple of years. To be fair, I haven't changed the paintings on offer very much, so I don't know whether I would have done better with fresher stock. The sale that I did make came from someone searching for paintings of Argyll, so the site does seem to be quite well listed. Since there's a free option it might be worth a try. Allow for the fact that you have to pay them commission on sales though.
Hi Keith, sounds like hard work selling on that site. I know eBay has its knockers but the one advantage over other sites is the sheer voloume of traffic that passes through it.
Hi Caroline, I looked at the Norfolk Painting School and their book and it all looks very impressive. Like you say though, it's a fair old drive from where you live! Thanks for the encouragement. Regards, Steven.
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