Paintings with Passion
OK So I’m off to ‘Art in the Open’. Probably the largest plein air festival in Europe! It takes place in Wexford, in the Irish Republic for a mad week of even madder painting, in all weathers, and accompanied by approx. 200 other artists, from beginners to professionals, using all mediums in all sizes and […]
Why do artists like to paint in the open air – in all weathers? Read More »
It never ceases to amaze me what people ask me sometimes while I’m painting out of doors, or with a local art group. People will come up and say “what colour is that?” and what did you mix it with? As an artist, when I am choosing colours to mix or apply, I’m not thinking
What’s on my palette? What colour is that? The most frequently asked question. Read More »
Four Days to paint Norfolk! What a challenge! Q) How would you like some adventure? Well I was up for it, so I signed up to join in the first ‘A Brush with the Broads Plein Air Festival’ – A week long event in the Norfolk Broads National Park organised and hosted by professional artist and
Four Days – Painting ‘en plein air’ In Norfolk! Read More »
Pintar Rapido is a Spanish idea – brought to London by Roger Beckett. Can you imagine coming across over 500 artists on the streets of Kensington and Chelsea, London all being madly creative and painting on every street corner, from every vantage point. It’s an unbelievable sight for an artist, but can you imagine the
Pintar Rapido – or – A Painting in a Day! Read More »
In Pt 1 click here I explained how I go about the planning of a painting and the importance of deciding about the composition and placing of tonal values, ie: where the darkest darks and the lightest lights will be positioned. You wouldn’t believe the number of times I’ve seen someone take out a photo from
How I Plan a Painting Pt 2 – the finished work! Read More »
In a month when I have lost two good friends, who were also fine artists, this is a very apt phrase, for the moment. My friends were certainly very active, trying to learn all they could and to create fresh work, living life to the full, as long as they were able. The alternative to Carpe
Sieze the Day! (Carpe Diem) OK so now I’m a latin scholar! Read More »
The people who usually ask this question, often have little or no concept of studying in order to learn a craft skill or a profession. It’s a discipline they have never endured or understood. They think that artists are born with magical powers, a gift of God! Of course in reality, we’ve had to learn
How long did you take to paint that? Read More »
Here is an explanation of how I approach a painting – Part 1. 1) Planning or Preparation – 5 Minutes Max Choose a subject – If I’m in my ‘great big studio under the sun’ ie it’s a ‘plein air’ day I’ll spend a minute or two thinking what it is I like about this view,
How I plan a Painting – from the Start – (Part 1) Read More »
The greatest studio an artist could ever wish for is the great outdoors! Why ‘Plein Air’ Painting? What’s the big idea? Artists have for centuries wanted to get outdoors and set up their easels and work outside under the hot sun and the brightest light that exists. This is when colours are at their strongest.
Some confessions of a ‘plein air’ painter! Read More »
When you look at this painting by Jan Van Huysum what do you think makes it work? Q Is it the apparent realism of the subject matter, the fruit looks juicy and real and ready to pick, or is it the composition, the positioning of the light source, or colour choices, or even the textures?
Artists need to be Masters of Deception – True or False? Read More »