In this demonstration you will see how to create a beautiful abstract painting giving the SENSE of flowers bobbing in a breeze. My goal is to create interesting shapes of saturated colour with depth and complexity that suggests a floral form, but has the feeling of freedom and spaciousness. Using paint in layers, pencil and ink along with a palette knife and colour shapers beautiful effects can be created - watch and then try it for yourself.
If I could tell you the ONE thing that improved my work the most - this is it. Working on a group of paintings together improves results because what you learn in one painting can be directly applied to others.
In this video, I show you how I do this by using 5 paintings in mid-process to demonstrate how ideas can be applied to multiple works and how my paintings took big leaps forward as a result.
When creating abstract artwork the most common problem people encounter is getting stuck - losing direction - not knowing how to finish. Having a simple roadmap and understanding what to focus on at the various stages of a painting means you never get lost, because you always know which Stage you’re at and what your intention is. In this video I demonstrate how I navigated my way through the painting process to finally finish my painting.
Follow the journey as I develop a painting using Collage and Paint. Intuitive painting is an allegory for LIFE - we start without knowing where we will end up, but one step leads to another and then another and then the next. Watch as I start this journey with some brown and blue paint and see where I end up.
In this video I will take you through the process of creating a painting based on a memory. We will use the technique of building up layers of paint and line to create depth and meaning. This is a very personal project which helps us draw upon our emotions and experiences, this creates something unique and special.
When we're painting, we often struggle to make certain parts of it work. And while struggling with that part, we begin to forget other things around it. But by doing this, we're avoiding making good parts of the picture even better by putting something opposite next to them. In this video I'll explain how you can use this 'opposite' element in your painting to help the good parts of your work shine.
In this week's Vlog I have made a small painting in my sketchbook following my process of building up layers. But what it demonstrates as well as building an interesting surface, and the introduction of the use of stencils is how to give strength to the hero's in the painting. Prioritizing the colour heroes as well as the shapes and elements in the painting that are important to the success of the composition.
Using Collage in a painting adds an element of surprise and also gives you the opportunity to explore design options. The skill of the technique lies in the integration of the collage so that all the pieces work together and the collage is secondary to the whole painting. In this demonstration, I talk through the decision making process explaining what I look for when using collage and how I integrate the pieces into the whole composition while still maintaining the element of surprise and difference.
In this demonstration, I drew some plants picked from my garden. First establishing what it is about the plant that I want to capture. Using pencils loosely and closely observing the subject, I then did a series of studies on a variety of plants. Next, I created a painting, laying down a background with a couple of layers of paint, and then loosely creating the plant forms with paint and pencil. Practicing studies like this in your sketchbook will hone your observational skills and ability to use a variety of media to translate what you see in a free and loose style of drawing and painting. Soon, you’ll be able to integrate plant drawings with a range of media into your paintings.
Watch this demo to see how I use a range of techniques in wet and dry media to create an imaginative painting incorporating abstract elements and representational references. Spoiler Alert: Anything goes here - freedom in markmaking and media to create a painting straight from your intuitive imagination. Give it a try!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
