To cite a painting you see in person in MLA style, simply follow the same format as online, but replace the name of the website with the name of the gallery/museum (not italicized) followed by a comma and the city where the museum is located.
Citation Guide- MLA: Home
Books on citation and academic writing can be found in the library around the 808 and 428 sections.
MLA Handbook by The Modern Language; The Modern Language Association of America Teaching and learning MLA style is about to get easier. For nearly seventy years, the Modern Language Association has helped student writers choose trustworthy sources and use them to support their own ideas. Now, the authority on writing and research presents the clearest approach to MLA style yet with the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook. The ninth edition works as both a textbook and a reference guide. Focusing on source evaluation, it features a wealth of visual examples and updated advice on punctuation and grammar, footnotes and endnotes, annotated bibliographies, and paper formatting. An all-in-one resource that makes MLA style easier to learn and use, the MLA Handbook includes: Expanded, in-depth guidance on creating works-cited-list entries using the MLA template of core elements that explains what each core element is, where to find it in various sources, and how to style it. A new, easy-to-follow explanation of in-text citations. A new chapter containing recommendations for using inclusive language. A new appendix with hundreds of sample works-cited-list entries by publication format, including books, databases, websites, YouTube videos, interviews, and more. Updated guidelines on avoiding plagiarism. Although there are numerous websites, apps, reference works, and cheat sheets that claim to help with MLA style, there’s only one truly authoritative resource to help your students on their paths to becoming better writers. The ninth edition of the MLA Handbook is the most comprehensive guide the MLA has ever produced, with an all-inclusive approach to writing, research, documentation, and formatting.
Call Number: 808.02 MLA
ISBN: 9781603293518
Publication Date: 2021-05-30
Useful resources
MLA Style Center This link opens in a new window MLA style help and an in-depth FAQ section for special circumstances.
Purdue OWL MLA Format This link opens in a new window The Purdue OWL overview should help you better understand how to cite sources using MLA eighth edition, including the list of works cited and in-text citations.
CIte My Sources Generator This link opens in a new window Fastest citation generator on CSC internet.
Zotero Research Assistant A free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share research. Downloading required.
ZoteroBib Zero downloading. Accurate and easy works cited generator. Does not make in-text citations.
Citing a painting you see online in MLA
Artist’s Last Name, Artist’s First Name. Title of Artwork OR description. Year of creation. Name of Website, URL.
Leutze, Emmanuel. Washington Crossing the Delaware. 1851. The Met, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/11417.
In-text citation:
Here’s how the above example would be cited in an in-text citation:
(Artist Last Name)
Formatting notes
Artist’s name:
Write the artist’s name with their last name first followed by a comma and then their first name, just as you would the author of a book. If they have a middle initial or name list it after the first name. Put a period after the first name or middle name/initial if one is given. If the artist is listed or described as “Anonymous,” put Anonymous. If no artist is credited for the work, just start with the next step, the title of the work.
Title of the piece:
After the author’s name, put the title in italics, followed by a period. Capitalize nouns, verbs, pronouns, and adverbs. If there is no title given, provide a short and un-italicized description with regular sentence capitalization. For example, you could write “Untitled portrait of King Henry VIII” or “Red rose on yellow background.”
Year and location:
Next you will need to write the year the painting was made followed by a comma. Then put the piece’s current location by writing the name of the website where you accessed the painting in italics. And finally, include the URL of the artwork’s webpage, starting with “www.” Add a period at the end of the citation.
Citing a painting you see online in APA
Artist’s Last Name, Artist’s First Initial. (Year). Title of painting [Description of material]. Museum, City, State Abbreviation/Country. URL
Leutze, E. (1851). Washington crossing the Delaware [Painting]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, United States. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/11417
In-text citation:
Here’s how the above example would be cited in an in-text citation:
(Artist Last Name, Year)
Formatting notes
Artist’s name:
Write the last name of the artist followed by a comma and then the first initial and middle initial if one is given followed by a period. If the artist is unknown, then skip this step and start the citation with the title of the work as described in the next step. If the artist is listed as anonymous/unknown, use that as the name.
Year and title of the piece:
After the artist’s name put the year the painting was created in parentheses followed by a period. Then put the title of the painting in italics using sentence case. Then put the medium or materials used in brackets, followed by a period.
After the medium put the name of the museum where the piece is currently on display followed by a comma. Then put the city where the museum is located followed by a comma. Next, if the museum is in the United States, put the abbreviation for the state followed by a comma, and then put United Staes followed by a period. For all other countries, put the name of the country instead of the state followed by a period.
Next add the direct URL for the webpage where you viewed the painting, including https://www. You should not put a period after the URL.
Citing a painting you see online in Chicago (notes-bibliography style)
Artist’s Last Name, Artist’s First Name. Title of Painting. Year painting was created. Description of materials. Dimensions if available. Museum, City. URL.
Leutze, Emmanuel. Washington Crossing the Delaware. 1851. Oil on canvas. 149 x 255 in. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/11417.
Note:
Here’s how the above example would be cited in the note:
1. Artist’s First Name Last Name, Title of Painting, Year painting was created, description of materials, dimensions, Museum, City, URL.
1. Emmanuel Leutze, Washington Crossing the Delaware, 1851, oil on canvas, 149 x 255 in, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/11417.
Formatting notes
Artist’s name:
Start with the last name of the artist followed by a comma and then the first name and a period. If the author is listed as Anonymous, use that as the name. If no artist is credited simply skip this step and begin the citation with the title from the next step.
Title of the piece:
After the name and a period, write the title of the painting in italics followed by a period. Use title case, so capitalize all nouns, verbs, pronouns, and adverbs. If no title is given, you may simply skip this step. You do not need to provide a description or write “Untitled.”
Next list the year the painting was completed followed by a period. If no date is provided, put “n.d.”
Medium and size:
List the materials used to make the artwork in sentence case followed by a period. Then put the dimensions followed by a period. You may use metric or imperial measurements, just be sure to keep it consistent throughout your paper. If this information is not available, simply leave it out.
Put the name of the museum where the piece is currently housed followed by a comma and the city where the museum is located.
Website and access date:
Lastly, put the URL (including https://www) at the end of the citation followed by a period. Note that Chicago style does not require an access date unless there is no listed publication date for the source. If you do need to include an access date, it should be formatted as follows: Accessed Month Day, Year.
Step 1: Do Your Painting Job Pre-Check
There are a few pre-checks that you want to do upfront that will help you create a more accurate estimate. By taking the time to do these checks in advance, you’ll save yourself time and headaches down the line.
Ask the Right Questions
Asking your clients smart questions from the outset will save you time and money by getting all the information you need to accurately estimate a painting job. And by being thorough in your questioning, you’ll also establish trust and rapport with your clients.
Here are some questions to ask your prospective clients:
What is the timeline for the project?
Is your client hoping to have the job done in two weeks or two months? Knowing their timeline will determine whether you’re able to commit to their project and help you plan for other projects you may have scheduled.
Are the doors, window frames, and door frames being painted?
Doors and windows usually need to be painted separately from the rest of the wall, which will add additional time to the job. And since they are “high-use” areas that get more wear and tear, they may require a more expensive grade of paint.
How many colors will need to be used?
If your client wants their living room painted one color and their kitchen painted another, that’s obviously going to require more work (and more paint) than if they want both rooms painted the same color throughout.
Are there any special instructions?
Some clients may have specific instructions regarding their project, such as using only eco-friendly paint. It’s important to ask about any special instructions upfront so that you can factor them into your estimate and avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
Inspect the Current Site
When you provide an estimate without performing an on-site inspection, you’re essentially flying blind. There are several factors that can impact the bottom line of a painting job. And many of them can only be assessed by seeing the property in person.
One of the first things you’ll want to think about when inspecting a job site is accessibility. Can your crew easily get to the work site? Is there a long walk from the parking area to the job site?
These factors can impact both your schedule and bottom line. If special equipment is necessary just to access the job site, then you’ll want to include that rental fee in the estimate.
If you’re working outdoors, check for things like trees, bushes, or ivy that will need to be trimmed or removed before painting.
The conditions of the areas and surfaces that will be painted is a critical step. Are the walls in good condition with minimal prep work required? Or do they have cracks and holes that need to be patched first?
The more prep work a job requires, the more time you need to account for in your estimate for it to be profitable. And what about those pesky trim moldings? The more detailed and intricate they are, the longer it will take to complete the job.
The type of paint that was previously used can also impact your painting job estimate. Oil or lead-based paints could require special chemicals and equipment to remove, which could potentially add hours (and dollars) to the job.
Address Building Codes & PCA Standards
As a professional painter, it’s important to be up to date on the latest building codes and industry standards. Staying informed of codes and standards helps to ensure that your next painting job meets all the necessary requirements.
In general, most residential painting jobs are considered exempt from permitting. Commercial jobs, on the other hand, often do require permits. It’s always best to check with your local building department before starting any contract work.
Many states now require that all new construction meet certain energy efficiency standards, which can often be achieved by using specific types of paint or painting techniques.
Other changes to building codes that could potentially effect painters include new fire safety regulations, accessible design requirements, and green building standards.
The Painting Contractors Association (PCA) establishes industry standards, ethical guidelines, and best practices for completing painting jobs quickly and efficiently.
These standards include everything from employee training requirements to clean-up procedures. While meeting these standards can help painting contractors run their businesses more effectively, they also add to the overall cost of doing business.
Step 2: Measure the Space
The cost of a paint job is largely dictated by the size of the area being painted. You can estimate how many gallons of paint you’ll need by measuring the room’s exact surface area with these three steps:
- Find the surface area of the walls by measuring the perimeter of the room, then multiplying this number by the height of the room.
- Find the surface area of unpaintable sections by measuring each window, door, cabinet, and other sections that won’t be painting.
- Subtract doors, windows, and cabinets from your wall surface area.
If you’re painting trims, baseboards, and ceilings, use the same method to measure the area of each. To find the total paintable area for a house’s exterior:
- Measure the perimeter of the house, then multiply by the height of the house.
- Subtract the area of doors and windows from the house’s surface area.
Be sure to measure the garage door, trim, soffit, and any other elements that will be painted.
Step 3: Estimate Painting Material Costs
Estimating painting material costs can be tricky. Painting jobs can vary widely in scope and size. And the type of paint and materials you’ll need will depend on the surface you’re painting and the style of painting you want to achieve.
Tips for Estimating the Cost of Paint
There are some general guidelines you can follow to get a rough estimate of how much paint and other materials you’ll need for your painting job. When estimating how much paint you’ll need, consider the following questions:
- Are you painting an interior or exterior? Interiors typically require more paint while exterior paint is typically more expensive.
- Are you painting the ceilings, doors, and trim as well? This will require more paint and potentially different colors and types of paint than if you were painting only the walls.
- Is it new construction or an existing repaint job? A new house will need more paint and caulk to cover unpainted drywall.
- What color(s) of paint are you using? Depending on the color you’re painting over and the desired finish, you may need two or even three coats of paint. This will obviously increase your costs, so be sure to take it into account when estimating your price.
- Are your measurements thorough and accurate? Don’t rely on your customer’s measurements. Take your own measurements and then double check them.
- What type(s) of paint will you need? The type of paint you use can affect your paint costs. For example, latex paints are typically cheaper than oil-based paints.
However, latex paints require more frequent reapplication, so your overall costs may be higher in the long run. Additionally, certain finishes, such as semi-gloss or high gloss, will also cost more than others.
After verifying your measurements, you can consult a painting calculator or chart to determine the estimated amount of paint required for the job.
Keep in mind that this is just an estimate. Ultimately, it’s always best to err on the safe side and buy slightly more paint than you think you’ll need.
Interior vs Exterior Painting Costs
The average one-coat interior paint costs between $20 to $50 per gallon, with higher-end paints costing over $60. One gallon of paint will typically cover 300 to 400 square feet of wall or ceiling.
Exterior paint can cost on average between $25 and $80 per gallon. One gallon of exterior paint can cover between 250 and 400 square feet with one coat, depending on the exterior material. For example, painting a textured surface like stucco can take almost twice as much paint as vinyl.
It’s always a good idea to use higher quality paint. High quality paint will give better coverage with fewer coats and leave a quality finish.
Tips for Cleaning/Preparation Costs
It’s important to factor into your estimate the cost of cleaning and preparing the surface to be painted. In some cases, the surface may not require much in the way of preparation. However, in other cases, such as painting over existing paint or wallpaper, more extensive preparation may be necessary.
Any time you’re painting over a previously painted surface, you’re going to need to do some sanding first. Sanding smooths out bumps, giving the paint something to grip onto.
The type of paint that was used originally and the condition of the surface will determine the amount of sanding needed. The cost of sanding will depend on the size of the area, as well as the type of sander being used (handheld or orbital).
You may find some holes or cracks that need to be patched before painting. The cost will again depend on the size of the area that needs to be patched, as well as the type of compound being used.
In some cases, you may need to remove wallpaper before painting. This is usually a difficult and time-consuming task, so it’s important to factor in the additional time and labor when estimating costs.
In general, plan on spending about one hour per 100 square feet removing wallpaper. So, if you’re dealing with 1,000 square feet of wallpaper, budget for 10 hours of removal time.
All surfaces should be cleaned before painting. This is especially important if there are any grease or oil stains that can affect how well the new paint adheres to the surface.
The cost of cleaning will depend on the type of cleaner and how much surface area needs to be cleaned. The time it takes to clean walls varies depending on their condition.
On average, plan on spending about 30 minutes per 100 square feet cleaning walls that have been previously painted and one hour per 100 square feet cleaning bare walls.
If the painting job requires primer, plan on spending between $30 to $70 per gallon, depending on the type of primer. And because one gallon of primer will only cover 200 to 300 square feet, you’ll need a bit more primer than paint.
Tips for Estimating Supporting Material Costs
It’s important to be thorough when calculating your material costs. Start with an itemized list of all the materials and supplies necessary to do the job. To calculate the exact cost of materials, use the following formula:
Total of required materials x Sales Tax at Counter = Total Materials Cost
If the cost of the painting materials for a job is $100 and sales tax in your area is 6%, for instance, your total material cost for the job is $106.
When pricing your painting jobs, be sure you’ve considered all potential costs. Forgetting to account for expenses will cut into your profit margin and potentially embarrass you in front of the customer. Here are some possible costs and expenses to include in your painting estimate:
- Painter’s tape
- Masking paper/plastic
- Drop clothes
- Caulk
- Paint brushes, roller frames and roller covers
- Paint trays
- Sandpaper
- Cleaning supplies
- Any equipment rental fees
- Any required permits
- Garbage and debris removal from the job site
Estimating Software for Plumbers
