Not all Granulating Watercolours are Created Equal
Granulating watercolours have become increasingly popular, so watercolour manufacturers have responded to this trend by adding innovative paints to their collections. The range of effects that can be achieved simply by choosing the right tube of paint is staggering because every pigment is slightly different….
Watercolour texture on impermeable surfaces
In my last post I talked about a few items you could use for mark making to develop interesting watercolour texture. Watercolour texture can also differ significantly depending on the qualities of the support you use. Another way to get unusual effects in watercolour is…
Aine Divine Painting Landscapes
One of the most requested tutors and subjects for future workshops on our feedback form is Aine Divine painting landscapes. I am thrilled that she will be joining us in September 2021 to tutor a 2-day landscape workshop. In February 2020, a group of watercolour…
An Artist’s Christmas
In my studio, an artist’s Christmas is typically a time for resting and preparing for the coming year. Although it may be different for others, I think of it as a mini hibernation. This is so because it is time to be introspective and quiet. The warmth…
What my art taught me about myself
What my art taught me during this pandemic were some vital lessons. Hands up who struggled to paint in the first lock down? Did you hear that whooshing noise? That was my hand shooting past my ear. Once we reached the point of lockdown, I really…
How to layer in watercolours
So many artists want to know how to layer in watercolours without creating mud. Layering in watercolour is often considered very difficult. The main problem occurs when the initial layers of colour are disturbed and mix with subsequent layers. This can be hugely frustrating. You…
I am a Landscape Artist
Or, how the labels we give us create out artistic reality. I am a landscape artist. Does that mean I can’t paint anything else? It does if that’s what I believe. Henry Ford famously said, ‘Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, …
How to get the most out of a painting workshop
When we’ve made an investment in developing our art, we all want to know how to get the most out of a painting workshop. This weekend I start four days of fantastic creativity with two amazing tutors. Here are a few things you can do…
Seven ways to make time for art
Do you struggle to make time for art? I hear this frustration so often. And I hear myself saying it more often than I would like to. This week I stepped off the treadmill of work, life and busy-ness for the first time this year….
How Painting Outdoors can improve your life
It took me a long time to get comfortable with painting outdoors. The whole idea seemed just far too challenging. First, there was the hassle of working out what I needed to take with me. Then there was the fear of people watching me –…