How we made Christmas art instead of Christmas cards
Christmas art instead of Christmas cards? Nothing about this year has been ‘business as usual’. It’s all be topsy turvy. So why not change things up when it comes to Christmas cards too? I have a selection of gorgeous cards professionally printed from images of…
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…
Daniel Smith Watercolours 36 dot cards – my views
Have you seen the new Daniel Smith Watercolours 36 dot cards? They come in two variations: Mineral Marvels and Watercolor Confetti. These little gems dropped through my letterbox earlier this week, thanks to Premium Art Brands. How exciting to receive a surprise package in the…
How to layer in watercolours
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 might…
Why use layering in your paintings
One of the most satisfying aspects of painting is colour, but why use layering in your paintings if you can use flat colour? Even neutral and subtle colours can be exciting. Most artists have a particular way of using colour that is their preference. For…
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…
How to re-use failed paintings
Have you ever wondered how to re-use failed paintings? (I’m talking specifically about work on paper in this post). See that photograph of 62 failed paintings at the top of this post? That’s not a stock picture. That huge pile of paper had been sitting…
Painting trees. Planting trees
I start out painting a landscape and end up painting trees. There isn’t a time when I don’t remember feeling a real affinity for trees. As soon as I could, I learned to climb a tree. My strongest childhood memories were of being as high…
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….