Draw like Picasso to Solve your Design Issues
What can we learn from Picasso’s Sketchbook Drawings?
In this video I talk about using Drawing to find the structure in your composition. By reducing your painting down to basic lines and shapes you can start to see how you can improve the design. I also show examples of different styles and techniques that Picasso used when drawing and planning his work.
Following these techniques and methods we can discover new directions to take our work and get clarity around improving the design. We can also just have fun creating simple compositions with line, shape and basic tonal value.
Demonstrating How to Include Imagery in Abstract Art
Who needs Still Life, a Nude or a Landscape when you can create a painting from your thoughts and dreams? In this demonstration I build a painting by using colours, imagery, words and shapes that come straight from my subconscious. It results in a strange world, yet is somehow familiar to me and includes my pets, favourite colours and patterns. It also includes a lot which makes no sense but is somehow pleasing to me.
Watch the video and then create your strange and beautiful world.
The ESSENTIAL Tools I have to make my best PAINTINGS
No Skill Needed: How to build Beautiful Layers with Acrylic Paint
How to create Strong Design in ALL your Abstract Painting
Create an Abstract Landscape Diptych with Paint & Mixedmedia
Finding the Heroes in Your Painting
Great Art has clarity. The viewer is instantly drawn to it because it doesn’t confuse or overwhelm. It’s strong in message, even if the message is only “look at this gorgeous colour” or “look at this lovely combination of shapes”. In this video I demonstrate by using one of my own paintings, showing how I improved it by getting very clear on what are the HEROES. Once I could identify these I could eliminate the distractions and make them stronger. Watch the video and then take a look at your own work with fresh eyes and a new perspective.
Combining My Favourite Shapes with my Favourite Techniques in Mixed Media Painting
In this video, I demonstrate in my sketchbook how I combine my favorite shapes with my favorite mixed-media painting techniques. I like to contrast different shapes with lines and also contrast a range of surface effects by using mixed media with a variety of techniques. This creates a painting that offers so much more on close inspection but also demands attention with emphasis on strong design and shape.
How to Progress when Painting is STUCK
What to do when you love parts of your painting, but not all of it. In this video I talk about how I solved this problem with a painting of mine. I didn’t want to lose what I loved, but I had to make some changes. This can be daunting and involves taking a big risk - but if you’re game, the rewards are worth it. Let me show you how…
Creating a GHOST shape with Acrylic Paint
I love creating ghost marks in my paintings—shapes that appear somewhat smudged but are still recognizable. These marks maintain strong contrasts but also fade into the underneath layer. In this video firstly I create an interesting surface on which to place the ‘ghost’. Watch as I demonstrate in this video how I create these ghost shapes and marks.
Using Stencils to Create Original and Unique Abstract Art
Improve your Painting with these Techniques - Variety is Everything
What to focus on when finishing your Abstract Painting
How do you know when your abstract painting is finished? In this video, I take you through the process with one of my paintings, showing you what I didn’t like about it and how I fixed it and finished the work. I talk about what I focus on and what questions I ask the painting in order to gain clarity around what steps to take next.
1. Make a big move to disrupt the work and make a big change
2. Rotate the work so you see it differently
3. Ask: What have I got?
4. Look for repetition and ask: Do I need this? Have I already got this somewhere else?
5. Is my eye led around the composition?
When you have worked through these questions, and you’re happy with the work, stand back and walk away. Look at it again after a few days to see if you still feel the same.
Drawing with Freedom for More Expressive Results
Using Mixed Media to Create Complexity and then Simplifying with Shape
The contrast of two opposites - Simplicity and Complexity always fascinates me. In this video I demonstrate how I create a complex surface and then create a composition by using simple shapes.
Using Collage, Paint, Acrylic Ink, and Paint pens, I build the surface in layers and then go about finding a composition made of simple shapes. Once the complex surface is created in this demonstration, the focus switches to simplifying to create an interesting and integrated composition.
How I process my Feelings in my Art
Creating a small mixedmedia painting in less than 1 hour
What to Consider in Choosing a Frame for your Artwork
In this video I share the most important considerations when choosing a frame. After completing your gorgeous painting you don’t want to choose the wrong frame, so it’s important to take some time and figure out what type of frame will suit the painting best. Your frame should enhance the artwork, not be a distraction to it.
Finding the Mindset of a Fearless and Free Artist
In this video, I tell two stories to set you up to paint with Freedom and without fear or doubt. There is a challenge I set you in an exercise that will help you adopt the mindset needed to create artwork that is exciting and new. This exercise could be the beginning of a new mindset practice to release self-doubt and welcome freedom and joy. Please watch to the end and give it a try!