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 –…
Best painting kit for travel
I always take a painting kit with me when I travel. Even on a short trip, I try to paint at least a couple of times a week. The challenge is always what to take? Here’s the problem. When I pack my painting kit I…
Why take a painting workshop
You may be thinking you might want to take a painting workshop. Or you’ve done an online workshop and are thinking about what to do next. You may even be deciding whether to take your first painting workshop. Perhaps you’re torn between wanting to take…
Explorations in paint
What’s the difference between experimentation and explorations in paint? We use the words interchangeably as I said in my last post about whether artists should experiment. I find myself doing this too, even though they aren’t the same. There’s another question about the difference between…
Photographing your paintings with a phone – a very simple guide
Photographing your paintings can be a challenge if you worry about getting it wrong. With more exhibitions going online, getting a sharp image of your painting has become a key factor in getting sales. But it doesn’t have to be daunting or expensive if you…