As a self-taught artist I get frustrated with some of the terms that other artists and teachers bandy about. I had understood some terms like: Hue: Where the colour is on the colour wheel (see below) red, green blue etc. Saturation: How rich or vivid the colour is e.g. bright orange versus a weak orange. Tint: … Continue reading What’s the temperature of your pallet and other interesting questions?
The only upside for me to the current pandemic is that it has forced me to sort out my web site and write some new blog posts. So here goes……………………. I adore painting and love to do so from real life but unfortunately this is not always possible. Commissioned work sometimes involves painting from photographs because the subject can’t sit still (a child or an … Continue reading How Photography can help you create great portraits
My challenge In a moment of madness I decided this summer that I would try painting outdoors i.e. en plein air. My goal was to paint for 9 days in the Western Isles of the UK namely the Outer Hebrides. I planned to visit the islands of Barra, Vatersay, South and North Uist, Benbecula, Harris, Lewis and Skye. From where I live it takes two … Continue reading The madness of Planning for Plein Air painting
Announcement: I entered a painting into the 2019 summer Paintings Art Festival in Nottingham and I am delighted to say that it was accepted! Like all of you I want people to like my paintings. One way to check whether people like your paintings is to enter competitions. The risk you take is that the judges may or may not like them. The painting will … Continue reading I’ve got a painting into an exhibition for the very first time – if I can do it then so can you!
Being an artist can be a lonely experience and one where you tend to practice techniques that you already know. We all need artistic inspiration and it comes from many places. I try to find inspiration from attending art clubs, watching videos, reading books and visiting museums. In the end nothing beats meeting a real “maestro” in person and learning from them. I meet commercially … Continue reading Artistic inspiration using workshops
Finding a model who can hold dramatic and dynamic poses is a challenge. I work with Julian Lewis, a professional model who holds the best poses I have ever seen – without moving a muscle! (See Julian Lifemodel on Facebook) We work together to provide life models for students as well as for workshops. Email us if you are interested in attending a workshop or … Continue reading The Master of Dramatic Poses
In February 2019 I was lucky enough to visit Iceland where I saw my very first glacier and icebergs. What an amazing sight! The colours were stunning and included all shades of blue, grey, white, green and turquoise. The young lady in the painting was definitely lost in the wonder of it all. My goal was to capture the serenity and beauty of what i … Continue reading Beating The Blues
Last year I went to a workshop in Florence. I was wandering the streets in the late afternoon and came across a religious procession. The men and women were dressed in the national costume of the 17 century and looked amazing. I saw these two ladies and they invited me to photograph them. I hope I have caught them looking happy and beautiful as it … Continue reading Florence beauties at play.
