AI tools for artists
A search for AI tools for artists inevitably brings up any number of applications that will create AI artwork for you. That is not what I want. I am not a fan of AI (Artificial Intelligence) generated art. It’s probably very complex and clever in…
Planning an art residency to get results
Planning an art residency is the key to making sure you make the most of the opportunity. This January, I went on a week’s residency to the Ballinglen Art Foundation with two artist friends. It’s difficult to describe just how much this trip moved my…
New Year’s no-resolutions
This year I am making New Year’s no-resolutions. And here’s why. New Year’s resolutions are always about doing something you really don’t want to do, in order to achieve something you know you ‘should’ do. (Even writing that made me feel exhausted and demotivated. 😁)…
A daily enso art practice
Have you ever considered a daily enso art practice? It’s a great 1 minute process that now forms part of my studio practice and has recharged my enthusiasm for painting. The Enso’s Simplicity At first glance, the Enso might appear deceptively simple – just a…
Lessons from the Chelsea Flower Show
Yesterday, I expected to learn gardening lessons from the Chelsea Flower Show as I embarked on a captivating journey through its flowers and trees. Gardening is one of my passions. Some days I’m torn: turn left to the new greenhouse, or right to my deliciously…
From pulp to perfection: The art of making watercolour paper
The art of making watercolour paper is complex. I recently wrote about learning to make watercolour paint. I can’t claim to have gone on a paper-making course (although, that really would be bloody amazing!) However, I have done a bit of research to learn more…
Testing My Handmade Paints
In 2015 I made my own watercolour paints. I do these sort of things out of sheer curiosity. I wanted to know how they were made in order to learn first hand, what makes watercolour work. Then I had to start the process of testing…
Making watercolour paint
When I started painting, I never would have imagined I would be tempted into making watercolour paint. It all started with a visit to an art shop in Venice where the enticing rainbow display of pigments in the window tempted me inside. Just look…
A studio wishlist
How to Loosen Up Watercolours
The advice I am asked for most often at my Open Studios is how to loosen up watercolours. This year’s Cambridge Open Studios was no exception. ‘Do you teach?’, and ‘I wish I could paint looser watercolours’: the theme was repeated in so many questions….