Art Technques for Designing Christmas Cards
Hints & Tips on Oil Painting Christmas Card Designs for Businesses
Oct 8, 2009
When designing a Christmas card image for businesses and corporations, the artist must keep in mind the sort of message the card is likely to convey to the business clients. It is essential therefore to retain a professional yet personal touch to the Christmas card design. A few simple pointers could enhance the greetings card image.
How to Design Christmas Cards
When conceiving a corporate greetings card image, the artist must consider
- The proportions of the image must fit the format of a typical Christmas card. This usually equates to A6 and A5 in size. This of course can be scaled up for the actual painting. If the proportions are any different, the border around the card could be unequal in size
- When painting the Christmas card image, it is a good idea to stand well back, in order to see the image as a whole. The printed image will be smaller than the original painting, and detail, which would appear significant on the painting, will have less significance on the Christmas card
- Try not to place significant detail too near to the edge of the painting in case it is lost on the border of the card. Allowing the image to fade out to the edges is less likely to make the image appear cropped
- Of course, it is wise to invest in good quality oil painting materials. The artist may wish to experiment with different painting mediums such as linseed oil and impasto medium to achieve different effects in the painting
Christmas Card Ideas for Corporate Christmas Cards
The following oil painting techniques are worth considering when designing Christmas cards:
- Using a limited palette of creams, blues and browns will result in a restful Christmas image likely to please the clients
- Glazing techniques with linseed oil or soft brushing often adds atmosphere to a snowy scene
- When depicting a snow blizzard, don’t simply place a profusion of white dots over the painting. Snowflakes contain different colours and sizes. Some are pale blue, some cream and some are silvery. Using different sized brushes will also add dimension and authenticity to the snowstorm
- Christmas card designs will have added punch if a few bold colours are placed within an otherwise subdued colour scheme
- Using juxtaposing complimentary colours within a Christmas card design will make it more eye-catching. Using pales blues against bright orange, for instance when depicting a snow scene at dusk punctuated by candlelit windows can look very effective
- In similar fashion juxtaposing detail against suggestive brushwork, such as buildings in a snowstorm will draw the eye towards the detail
- Impasto techniques are great for adding an element of texture and richness to snow. This effect can be enhanced with impasto medium
- Looking around for new ideas for designs is great for avoiding clichés. Using one’s own reference material and photographs will help avoid this
How to Take Photographs of Paintings for Christmas
The photograph is crucial for capturing the expression, detail and the hues within the painting. For this reason, it is wise to give as much time and care to the photo shoot as to the painting itself or the resultant image will do little justice to the painting and clients might be disappointed.
Using Greeting Card Software, Design Wizards & Illustrator
Using a design software for image design often works to compliment a good oil painting, and could make the card look professional when it is ready for printing. Issues such as cropping and altering the colour saturation could enhance the image further and make it look more professional.
Creating Christmas Greeting Cards
Many oil painting techniques are suitable for Christmas card design. Using a limited palette and impasto are great for adding a sense of texture to the snow, as well as giving consideration to the colour composition. Care must be taken over taking photographs of the painting and with manipulating the image via a design software.
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