News

Here's the big REVEAL!

The new limited edition Honey Badger Mug is here, but only for one week!

💧 On sale March 14 - March 18 ONLY! 

SHOP HERE

Check out the weekly Art on the Air show at wruu.org or listen to 107.5 fm Savannah Soundings at 3 pm on Wednesdays. You can also enjoy recently archived interviews on their website. Go check it out!

Today marks 11 years since I started up the Olivia Beaumont fine art brand!

I am so grateful to have made a living doing what I truly enjoy. I graduated with a degree in art in 2009 and made a bold move from west coast California to east coast Georgia. I had nothing but a few suitcases full of clothes, sketchbooks, and paint tubes. My first studio furniture was cardboard boxes. They wern't even my cardboard boxes, they were borrowed. That is straight-out-of-college-poor level!  I bought a little easel I found on craigslist for fifty bucks. I decided to open an Etsy shop on April 25, 2010 and that is where my efforts started to take off. That was a staggering and exciting year!

I chose to believe in myself, but I'm even more greatful for the family around me that believed in me and supported me. 

I am just as excited about where the Olivia Beaumont brand is headed today! April has been all about making the new studio my art home, and starting a secret new art collection! I cannot wait to show you what May will bring. I am painting something you have never seen from me and you are going to love it!

I have big news! By popular demand, I am working on a line of locally designed and produced items to add to the Olivia Beaumont brand. 

I am so excited to be able to offer items like puzzles for you to enjoy with your family. 

The best part is that I have found a local Savannah artist of Moss & Marsh Co. to help me create these beauties. So every mug, tote bag, or tea towel that you buy from me actually helps two artists! After seeing, holding (and hugging) the first samples I am absolutely thrilled with the beauty and quality that I will be offering to you right out of our two Savannah studios.

Now is the time to drop me a line and to get your ideas and suggestions in. I think you are going to be amazed when the first products drop. Since the first products will be made in small batches you will want to follow me on Instagram and sign up for my email list if you are not already doing so. 

xo
Olivia

I previously shared how I develop a pet portrait. In this post I would like to share more complex commissions. 

The most frequent request is for a multiple figure portrait where the client has several pets they would like to incorporate into one scene. When multiple pets need to be incorporated it created challenges like accurately representing the size of each pet in proportion to each other. You can see in the sketches below that at first the chihuahua was too large in comparison to the two tiny Pekingese. The proportions of the dogs had to be tweaked a couple times.

In a multiple pet portrait you also have the question: what are the figures doing in relation to each other? This client presented the idea to me of the chihuahua on the throne and described all the features very clearly to me. Most of the time a client isn’t going to have as clear of a vision, which is totally ok, and so it’s up to me to present some ideas.

I also get unusual painting size requests at times. This happens when a client has already selected a picture frame they would like to use for the painting. This could include a vintage frame or a small oval frame. In order to accommodate this type of request I had to learn how to make oil paintings on illustration paper. The painting is sturdy and archival, and the paper allows me to customize it to any shape or size. This duo is painted on custom paper and fits the intended frames perfectly. 

At times I also receive requests to paint animals that represent people. Here’s an example of a wedding portrait that included the bride and groom’s exact wedding clothes and some features that were symbolic to their relationship. The painting was revealed at their wedding!

There have also been times I have refused a commissioned painting, just a few. The reason may be because it is out of line with the type of work I create and just not a creative direction I want to explore in my portfolio. Usually, I would recommend an artist or two who I think would match the client’s request. 

I really love creating custom art for clients. It is satisfying to see their reaction when their vision comes to life. 

Presenting the Olivia Beaumont Collection by Pigeon and Pip: A furniture line inspired by the artwork of Olivia Beaumont. 

This post is a treat for me because I get to talk about another creative person I really admire. She also happens to be named Olivia. Pigeon and Pip is a small business started by Olivia Lacy who specializes in one of a kind vintage furniture that has been reimagined with an artful and whimsical approach.

The photography is also by Olivia Lacy. She takes a fun approach to styling and personalizing a space with an unexpected pop of whimsy. Follow @Pigeon_and_Pip on Instagram for truly inspiring home decor ideas!

 We hope you enjoy our collaboration and are inspired to "feather your nest" , as the motto of Pigeon and Pip. 

The welcome mat is out to view more at...

Pigeon and Pip

Pigeon and Pip Etsy 

-The Olivias

Olivia Beaumont Oil painting glazing Demo 3 from Olivia Beaumont on Vimeo.

Olivia Beaumont Oil Painting Glazing Demo 2 from Olivia Beaumont on Vimeo.

Demonstration of oil glazing a dry Grisaille painting. "Under the Hazel Tree" copyright Olivia Beaumont 2017

 Demonstration of detail work, oil paint on panel.

A few posts ago I shared this drawing. If you want to review how to make the leap from imagination to an imaginative drawing, use the link.

King of the Mustelidae - Process

I have outlined this painting process in previous posts. I'm going to try to hit different details this time. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section if I skip something you're curious about or would like to know a material name brand to try it for yourself.

I transferred the drawing to a prepared wood panel. My favorite is Ampersand Gessoboard because it has a smooth tooth surface and the quality is so gorgeous I would hang it on my wall straight out of the wrapper.

This image shows the grisaille underpainting using Raw Umber and White.

Once the grisaille was dry I glazed with Burnt Umber, Black, and Transparent Gold Ochre.

I started glazing my primary colors. ..

In this next image, you can see that I made some compositional changes. (Keep looking for them throughout this demo.) I also started to scumble dry color into the wet glazed areas to build the form. The direction of the light hitting the scene becomes more definitive.

Glaze, scumble, glaze, scumble, hours and weeks pass...

On a personal note, I'm totally in love with the family of animals that includes otters, weasels, ferrets, etc. It makes me sad when I see weasels and ferrets always playing the bad guys in movies. Look at this common weasel - he's having such a good time! What better company can a sea otter king ask for?

And here I put my paintbrush down!

Thank you for viewing!