Paintings with Passion
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 »
Suitable subjects are anywhere and everywhere! When they find me, I know what to do! This is an excellent question which I have occasionally been asked! Many years ago, I found myself driving through the country lanes of west Kent – looking for a view to paint! I spent hours and used a tank of
How do I choose a subject? I Don’t – The subject chooses me! 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 »
About two years before the opening of the new Turner Contemporary Gallery in Margate, I decided to ‘get on board’ and see what I could do to help welcome them into our community and to ease their way over the very rocky road of negative local criticism and much anger. I was convinced that any
Being a Cultural Ambassador – What does it mean? Read More »
One of my ‘Heroes’ in art is the Victorian artist, Hercules Brabazon Brabazon. Today he is almost forgotten, except by the academics. He was born to an aristocratic family in 1821 and after graduation went to Rome to study Art and Music. He inherited estates in Ireland and Sussex and from then on, he
My Heroes in Art – Hercules Brabazon Brabazon Read More »
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to invite an artist into your home? I grew up from a very young age in a large old Victorian house of four floors, mostly undecorated since the war, and with holes in the plasterwork, which we covered over with posters of art exhibitions and the
Invite an Artist into your home! It may change your life! Read More »
A house built on firm foundations, will last longer and be safer than one with no foundations. Likewise, “drawing is the basis of art. A bad painter cannot draw. But one who draws well can always paint”. A quote from A Gorky. When I got back into the art world from a career in Finance
Sketching – Why drawing skills are important! Read More »
Many years ago, almost in a different life it seems, I used to buy and sell English paintings of the late Victorian and Edwardian era, including many watercolours. I used to buy at auctions, up and down the country and sell them in my shop in West Malling High Street, at Art and Antique fairs
Someone’s whole life in a box! How sad can it be? Read More »
Yes! You did read it correctly. It was Titian who is supposed to have said that if you leave a painting, face to the wall for long enough, it will paint itself! Now I know what he meant and I’m happy to let you into the secret. The most difficult part of any painting is
Leave a Painting face to the wall and it will paint itself! – What ? 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 »