Paintings from Nature with Passion
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 »
What’s on my palette? What colour is that! 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
What’s on my palette? What colour is that? The most frequently asked question. 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. 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
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
Artists need to be masters of deception – 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. It may be the positioning
Artists need to be Masters of Deception – True or False? Read More »