Why it is so important to paint in series?

Over the years, I have heard many times that my ability to get the kind of art shows that I want will hinge on my ability to produce my art in series of work rather than independent mix of paintings. And it has not been easy to disciple myself to stick with one thing at a time, but it's well worth it. It makes you look like a pro instead of an artist who lacks a clear vision.

Getting started with a series:

• Eight or more works of art, photography, sculpture etc with a unifying theme.
• It never hurts to bounce ideas for your next series off of a friend or family member. Talking out loud and writing down your vision in even a couple of sentences can really help.
• You need to figure out a series title and a brief description before you start the work. Be specific.
• The theme could be extremely simple, such as an exploration of a specific flower or colour to a much more complicated exploration of an idea.
• Use a similar technique, if you have an urge to try something vastly different, does it fit with this series or should you write it down and use it on the next one.
• Fully exploring an idea or technique before moving on to the next one.
• When it's completed you should be able to line up all the art and have it look like a unified exhibition to a person who knows nothing about your art. It should fit into the concept that you outlined before you began.
• If you had no idea what you are trying to explore in your art, or what you are attempting to capture...unfortunely the viewer will not either.

Have a look on the internet at other successful artists work, and how they manage to pull their art together. I have found that some of the most successful artist are extremely good at creating art that has slight variations.

My trick to curbing the urge to start something new before I have finished it to write it into an idea book and save it for later, here will be a lot of opportunity to explore something different l at a later time.