Paintings from Nature with Passion
You can start with a £1 sketch book and a 4b pencil. A quick and simple way to unlock your creativity – Yes that’s it, starting on the path to learn a new and valuable skill, can be Quick and Simple! Unlike other skills such as music, you don’t need to start with a one […]
A Quick and Simple way to Unlock your Creativity Read More »
Painting The Norfolk Broads. They are renowned for their early morning mists, beautiful lakes and rivers (known as broads). You will also find windmills, trees, wildlife, boats and sailing craft of every shape and size. Also boathouses, low bridges, old stone ruins, and a few human ruins. Sorry, I couldn’t help it, I mean artists,
Painting the Norfolk Broads – A forgotten National Park, or an Artist’s Paradise? Read More »
News from the studio – What a Summer it’s been! Hot dry days and cold rainy days in equal measure! But this isn’t a weather report, so here is some of my recent work, from my visit to Wexford, Ireland and then some ‘Open Studio’ news. My visit to Wexford Ireland was to take part in
News from the Studio – Sun and Rain, Wexford Ireland, and Open Studios Read More »
Why do artists paint out doors I’m off to ‘Art in the Open’. Why do artists like to paint out doors In the open air? Like the impressionists did? They are known as ‘plein air painters’. The largest plein air festival in Europe takes place in Wexford, in the Irish Republic. It is
Why do artists like to paint in the open air – in all weathers? Read More »
Wow! What a Question! Why do I Paint? “Life obliges me to do something, so I paint.” Rene Magritte Why do I paint? Because I have to! – Because of the excitement if I succeed! – I think its the same thrill that drives an athlete, the feeling that they can always do a little
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. They are all being madly creative and painting on every street corner. It’s an unbelievable sight for an artist like me, but can you imagine the impact
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
Suitable subjects are anywhere and everywhere! When they find me, I know what to do! How do I choose a subject? 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! Having spent
How do I choose a subject? I Don’t – The subject chooses me! Read More »
How I compose a Painting Here is an explanation 1) Planning or Preparation – 5 Minutes Max In my sketchbook, I draw a rectangle about 3″ x 2″ and quickly put in the big dark shapes, then the mid tones. Leaving the highlights blank, (see above). For the most powerful effect, brightest lights
How I compose a Painting – from the Start – (Part 1) Read More »
The greatest studio an artist could ever wish for is the great outdoors! Some confessions of a ‘Plein Air’ Painter- 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.It gives the brightest light anywhere. This is when colours are at