Friday 10th July

Today I made some emails to possible clients after some information had been sent to them about the company. This was to request whether they had any feedback, so that they may be more likely to make contact and perhaps be interested in the paintings.
After checking up on the Facebook account and altering some elements slightly, I filed some more images into the correct genres and then made sure that my Blog was updated.
I made sure that I had the forms and diary of work experience to be signed and .

Thursday 9th July

Firstly I presented a tonal drawing I had done for homework, where I had been asked to consider reflected light, extreme contrasts between dark and light and shading techniques, we then looked at how some areas worked well and others not so well.
I then worked on the new Facebook account that was set up for the company, inserting albums of traditional and contemporary portraits, replicas, tonal drawings along with some information on what the company has to offer.
We then made some calls to potential buyers which was valuable for understanding the importance of responding well with clients.

Wednesday 8th July

On Wednesday I looked at several different contemporary artists and we discussed what we thought about their work, we looked at composition, choice of colours and more. We went over to the studio and looked at how a palette is divided up into sections for different types of colours-warm, cool, translucent, opaque. We discussed how most artists will put a background colour on and build up gradually from dark to light. This was helpful as it made me look more closely at the pieces of art and think about how they were achieved. I then looked at my Blog and checked that it was updated. I then talked with another member of staff about the marketing techniques such as the Facebook account that although it was working, it was not an actual business account, the member of staff managed to fix this problem and I started to work on the content and composition of the page.

Tuesday 7th July

Firstly I showed my employer the work I had done at home, with the drawings in my sketchbook we discussed what I had learned and then was asked to start looking back at the marketing areas, I searched the internet for any hotel that were either in the process of being refurbished or perhaps being built. I found a few, yet in the current economic climate there was not as many as perhaps hoped. This was so that we might be able to offer them our services and commision some paintings for their new interiors. It was put upon me just how important it is to have a decent background knowledge of who you are calling, what they do and whether they would consider buying any painting. I learned how reading from a script as so many business call centers do, is very unappealing to potential buyers. However, some knowledge of their business or their position can go a long way. Later, some artists books and there pages separated, I was asked to sort them and place them back in chronological order. I enjoyed today and was taught much not only about marketing but also approach and attitude.

Monday 6th July

I really enjoyed Monday and learned some valuable techniques. I was firstly required to check up on the marketing side of the buisness-I made sure that the Facebook page was working correctly and that my blog was updated.- The next exercise was particularly enjoyable as I was able to increase my drawing knowledge and learn how to improve my skills.
I was asked to complete a tone drawing of a persons face, this at first seemed daunting as he sat there waiting for my pencil to conjure up a fairly accurate representation of him, but it was enjoyable and useful in that we analyzed it afterwards and I was asked to do the same again but this time without looking at the paper, unless I had completely lost my place, this was unfamiliar to me and it felt strange not being able to 'correct' your drawing with what you thought was more realistic.
Yet I discovered that when I did the second drawing, not only was it much more expressive but it also created the most beautiful lines and shapes that had a fluidity about it, I practiced at home and although I admit I found it frustrating when what I had drawn didn't look exactly like the subject I was beginning to understand that it didn't have to be an exact portrayal of the person but it could still have wonderful character and simplicity.

Thursday 2nd July

On Thursday I compared the techniques and compositions of two artists, this was extremely helpful as I learned about how certain elements to a successful painting were achieved. I looked at the ways in which the artist had drawn the viewers eye into the focal point of the painting.
After analyzing two other portraits for myself, I was asked to complete some filing of pictures from different eras of art. I had to really study each of the pictures and their content in order to know whether they would file under Georgian, Victorian, Tudor or abstract/impressionist.

Wednesday 1st July

On Wednesday I watched as the frame was fixed to the completed stretched canvas and was asked to consider the requests of a buyer and how they should be satisfied.

The next area that I found particularly interesting and intriguing was how particular pieces of art were composed and how this affected the overall image of the portraits. I had to look at how lines for the eye to travel along had been created with either contrast of light to dark or the texture of the paint. I really enjoyed this activity and it has now made me think harder when I look at a picture and how it has been fashioned to lead your eye to particular areas, in some cases ignoring others.

Referring back to the marketing strategies I had been researching on Monday when I was asked to give some ideas about how the company could increase its publicity.
Facebook, Myspace and Twitter are all social networks that have become increasing popular at present, so we decided to use these devices to our advantage, as have so many other companies. Although admittedly fairly unfamiliar with Facebook, my ICT skills paid off and I managed to create a more business orientated Facebook page that gave links to the Richard Bostock website, gave details on the location and most importantly held albums of photographs of some of the paintings and portraits Mr Bostock had created. I also created an album of studio pictures.

Tuesday 30th June

Tuesday was also an eye opener when considering the responsibility taken on when running a small organization. I filed invoices, vouchers and receipts and recognised how organization is vital in such a business. I was then encouraged to study several artists and to question why their paintings were successful. Mr Bostock gave me a greater insight into the marketing and control strategies needed for an independent business and it also increased my background knowledge of artists techniques. I then saw how a canvas stretcher was created and looked at the sorts of techniques used. We discussed how the prospect of being able to make it from scratch yourself meant that you knew that it would be high quality and would not come at such high prices.

Monday 29th June

I found my first day invaluable in terms of understanding more about how an independent business operates and what sort of research has to be out into it. I was given the task of searching the web for competitors of Richard Bostock Fine Art. I needed to see how they were marketing their buisness in comparison with Bostock's. I also learned about the process of finding possible buyers as well as looking at the background knowledge necessary to make such artwork. I looked at the difference in portrait painting throughout the Tudor, Georgian, Victorian and impressionist periods which I found extremely interesting and informative.