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If you’re on your way to becoming a professional artist, then you’ll want to seriously consider painting a series of paintings. However, if you’re just starting out as an artist, you may not know how to start a series. Here are some of my top tips to start series to progress your art journey:
Choosing Your Theme:
Selecting a theme for your series is the first step. It can be a specific subject, emotion, or concept that resonates with you. Think about what inspires you the most and what you want to convey through your art. It could be the beauty of nature, the complexity of human emotions, or even something as abstract as colour exploration.
In "The Light at the End of the Tunnel" Series I was working with the emotions that we feel in the darkest of times, when life's challenges seem overwhelming and despair threatens to engulf us, it can be easy to lose sight of hope. We've all been there, trapped in the suffocating tunnel of uncertainty, feeling stuck and powerless. But it's essential to remember that even in the bleakest moments, there is always a glimmer of light, a beacon of hope that can guide us towards a brighter future.
This is exactly how I felt after the Turkish earthquake in February 2023. I was numb with pain as I watched my fellow countrymen and women perish on TV, all from the comfort of my warm home in the UK. My family was fortunate to be alive, but their home was badly damaged. I healed my soul through art, and that's how this series of paintings came into existence. I had to paint and changed some of them 3 times over the months as I healed. The earlier versions were very raw filled with sadness and despair. That's OK allow yourself to change and tweak as the series progresses and you are not in the same place emotionally.
Planning and Research:
Once you have your theme, take some time to research and plan. Look for references, gather inspiration from other artists, and create a rough outline of the series. Consider the colours, styles, and techniques you want to use. Planning helps provide a roadmap for your series, keeping your artistic journey focused and purposeful.
This was the picture that broke my soul. A father holding on to her daughter's hand under the rubble hours after she passed while waiting for help to arrive. I wanted to use his bright orange jacket as my colour pallet inspiration. Selected complementary turquoise and red to set the mood and reflect the sadness I was feeling as well as hope in the white and sunny yellow.
Consistency in Style:
Maintaining a consistent style across your series ties the individual pieces together, creating a cohesive collection. This doesn't mean every piece must look identical, but elements like colour palette, brushstroke technique, or overall mood should be harmonious. Consistency helps viewers recognize the series as a unified body of work.
Tunnel was common element on all of the painting in this series, so are the marks and textures.
Exploration and Experimentation:
While consistency is crucial, don't be afraid to experiment within the series. Each piece can be a new exploration, allowing you to grow as an artist. Trying out different techniques or pushing your boundaries keeps the series dynamic and can lead to unexpected, exciting results.
In this series I used same colour scheme in all of them except one which was strategic to celebrate healing my soul after months of painting. I used my happy colours and my go to colour palette.
Setting a Goal:
Establish a goal for your series. It could be a certain number of paintings, an exhibition, or simply a personal milestone. Having a goal provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment, motivating you to stay committed to the series.
My goal was to heal my soul. But it gave me a body of cohesive and high quality set of paintings. I am considering to apply galleries to see how they will respond.
Documenting Your Progress:
Capture your artistic journey by documenting your progress. Take photos of your work at different stages, jot down thoughts, or share snippets on social media. Not only does this create a visual record of your growth, but it also allows others to connect with your process. I shared my progress throughout the creating of series. it made my social media posting effortless as I had valuable news to share. I had video snippets of the paintings and I had a story to share.
Learning from Feedback:
Be open to feedback from peers, mentors, or even your audience on social media. Constructive criticism can offer valuable insights and help you refine your series. Use feedback as a tool for improvement, but remember to stay true to your artistic vision.
In the next blog, we'll explore the importance of staying organised and managing your time effectively as you work on your series. Click below to subscribe to my weekly blog if you are series to succeed in your art journey.
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