But wait! There's more!

Editing and logging

Shooting images. "Ancestral" 36x48" acrylic on canvas

When the actually creating part is finished, my job as an artist isn't quite over.  There is a little more to it.  At least for me. 

Now I need to document the work.  I need to take a high quality photograph of the completed painting.  I usually do this in batches about once a month.  I use my Canon DSLR and I take all my photographs outside.  Ideally I keep them on the easel and set it up so that it's at 90 degree angle from the ground. 

After I have all the images they need to be edited.  I also inventory them on a spreadsheet as well as print a small image of them to keep in a binder for quick reference.  This helps me keep track of where a painting is if I have it in a show or with a gallery.  I can also note when it sells and who the collector is.  Admittedly this is that part that I am usually the most behind in.  I would much rather be painting. 

The digital files I then save as a RAW file and name the file; titleofwork_size_medium_dateThese images are my master image and can be used for making prints as well.   I also then save a smaller size file in another folder and use that for show entries, website and social media content. 

I am always so surprised at how much time this actually takes.  When the time comes, this is the first task I'm going to hire out.  (Right beside someone to clean my brushes)