Artist Resources

How to Succeed as an Artist

Dear Artist,

I’ve compiled this collection of questions I get asked a lot to inspire and guide those who want to pursue a career in painting. In this section I share insights from the past ten years of my journey, from what paints do I use, to how I opened my own art gallery and traveling all over the country doing what I love.

Early on, I was often told that making a living as an artist was unrealistic. Through this section, I aim to show that not only is it possible—it can be done successfully.

I hope you find this section valuable and inspiring. Wishing you every success on your artistic journey.

Sincerely,
Oriana Gerez

The Oriana Gerez Emerging Artist Grant

The Oriana Gerez Emerging Artist Grant is our way of giving back to the artist community. When Oriana was getting started, this is the kind of opportunity she wishes existed — something simple that could help move things forward at the right moment.

Each year, Oriana will award a grant to an emerging artist with strong potential, giving them the freedom to invest in their work, their materials, and their growth. Whether that means upgrading supplies, exploring new ideas, or taking the next step in their creative journey, the goal is to support real progress where it matters most.

No strings attached — just support for artists who are serious about what they’re building and committed to pushing their work forward.

For more info, please refer to our social media pages (links provided below).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of different paint brands. I tend to pick and choose certain pigments from different companies based on how they look and mix together. Most of the time, I use Winsor & Newton Artist Oils, but I also like paints from Gamblin, Michael Harding, and a few others. When using acrylics I like Liquitex and Golden the most and for markers I love Posca.

  • I love using as many colors as I possibly can. My work is very colorful so I try to implement a wide palette. The exact colors can change depending on what I’m going for. I like using the Quiller color wheel to experiment with different color relationships, like complementary or analogous schemes as well.

  • I use drying linseed oil to thin my paint and sometimes Japan dryer. For acrylics I use water if I want to dilute or sometimes mica powder if I want to give a translucent effect

  • For underpaintings, I use Linquin to thin the oil paint. I’ll usually use student-grade oils at this stage since they’re less pigmented and work more like a wash. Sometimes I will just use an acrylic underpaint tho because it dries almost instantly

  • I like Princeton and Old Holland brushes the most. I mainly use a mix of synthetic and Kolinsky sable brushes. When I paint, I try to load the brush with enough paint for a few confident strokes and avoid over-blending. Always make sure you are using the right brush for the type of paint you are using tho!

  • Yes! I do impasto technique for some of my pieces, specially when I am painting landscapes and I love giving it the textured effect only a palette knife can. I also use it for mixing paint. Before I even start painting, I pre-mix all the colors I’ll need. I keep my palette (usually a medium sized 12-inch one) organized by sections of the painting—for example, I’ll have a whole area just for the skin, with all its color variations from shady areas to areas where I want the light to hit.

  • I try to go out in nature as much as I can, but also love doing charitable work. I love going to my local shelter out here in Miami and take a dog on a “pawventure“, its super easy to do and you cannot imagine how much it helps the dogs, they really really need it!

  • It really comes down to what I want the painting to say and what kind of mood I am going for. If I want something bold and high-contrast—like a chiaroscuro portrait—I might use deep purples in the background to make them pop. If I’m going for something bright I’ll lean into softer, more similar colors.