Plein Air Painters

Painting the Norfolk Broads – A forgotten National Park, or an Artist’s Paradise?

artists activities, Plein Air Painters, Studio & Works in Progress / , , , ,

The Norfolk Broads are renowned for their early morning mists, beautiful lakes and rivers (known as broads), windmills, trees, wildlife, boats and sailing craft of many shapes and sizes, boathouses, low bridges, old stone ruins, and a few human ruins, sorry – I mean artists, setting up their easels all over the place to capture […]

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News from the Studio – Sun and Rain, Wexford Ireland, and Open Studios

artists activities, Exhibitions, Plein Air Painters, Sketching & Drawing, Studio & Works in Progress, Watercolours / , , , ,

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 “Art In The Open“. This

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Why do artists like to paint in the open air – in all weathers?

Acrylics, artists activities, Plein Air Painters, Watercolours / , , , ,

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

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Why do I paint? – What inspires me?

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Wow! What a Question!  Why do I Paint? “Life obliges me to do something, so I paint.” Rene Magritte 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 better. That’s the same

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Four Days – Painting ‘en plein air’ In Norfolk!

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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

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Pintar Rapido – or – A Painting in a Day!

artists activities, Plein Air Painters, Studio & Works in Progress, Watercolours / , , , , , , , ,

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

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How I Plan a Painting Pt 2 – the finished work!

artists activities, Plein Air Painters, Sketching & Drawing, Studio & Works in Progress, Watercolours / , , , , , , ,

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

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Sieze the Day! (Carpe Diem) OK so now I’m a latin scholar!

artists activities, Plein Air Painters, Watercolours / , , , , ,

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

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My Heroes in Art 2 – Claude Lorrain 1604/5 – 1682

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For many years I have admired the work of the old master, Claude Lorrain, or to give him his proper name, Claude Gellee. He was born in either 1604/5 no one is quite sure, in Champagne in the Duchy of Lorraine. (Isn’t that the best place to be born)? He was a French painter, engraver

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How do I choose a subject? I Don’t – The subject chooses me!

artists activities, Plein Air Painters, Sketching & Drawing, Studio & Works in Progress / , , , , , , , ,

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 »