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Draw like Picasso to Solve your Design Issues

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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.

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Demonstrating How to Include Imagery in Abstract Art

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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.

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The ESSENTIAL Tools I have to make my best PAINTINGS

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The ESSENTIAL Tools I have to make my best PAINTINGS

I’m sharing the favourite tools I use in my art process. Five of these you can purchase from your local art supplier and the other one you have to create yourself. You may have different favourite tools but the last one I know you need in order to create the art you love - whatever form that takes.

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How to create Strong Design in ALL your Abstract Painting

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How to create Strong Design in ALL your Abstract Painting

The key to a successful painting firstly is strong design. How you arrange all the parts of your painting will be the difference between success and not finishing… Watch this video to learn the easy steps to making sure your painting is well composed with strong Design - every time!

Combining My Favourite Shapes with my Favourite Techniques in Mixed Media Painting

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.

Using Stencils to Create Original and Unique Abstract Art

Using Stencils to Create Original and Unique Abstract Art

I like using stencils to create unique and interesting shapes in my painting as I build layers and depth in the surface. Watch this video to see how I combine stencils with a range of media for different effects and then follow along and create an abstract painting with shapes you like to use.

Using Mixed Media to Create Complexity and then Simplifying with Shape

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.

What to Consider in Choosing a Frame for your Artwork

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.

Demo in How to Paint Intuitively - Techniques to Try

Demo in How to Paint Intuitively - Techniques to Try

In this demonstration I show you how I paint intuitively. See how many different techniques I use to create interest in the Painting. And listen to how I navigate my way to finish the painting - what am I looking for and how do I find the direction in the piece?

Then get your paints and painting tools out and give it a try yourself!

How to Use Masking Fluid in Your Painting

How to Use Masking Fluid in Your Painting

I’ve recently experimented with Masking Fluid which is traditionally used in Watercolour Painting. But as a mixed media artist, I’m always looking for new and interesting ways to create new marks and surface effects in my acrylic paintings. Watch this demonstration as I explore using Masking Fluid as a drawing tool and then have a go in your own work.

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What I do after the Gesso

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What I do after the Gesso

In this video, I demonstrate what I do after I’ve applied a couple of coats of Gesso. I use black and white Gesso so that my painting already has a variety of marks, effects and tonal values. My process is intuitive - I don’t have a plan, but rather decide and respond to the colours and paint effects that arrive through experimentation. There is a method that I use to avoid creating a mess which has no direction which could happen when painting in this explorative way.

Watch the video to see how I start my paintings with colour and line and make sure you watch to the end to see a surprise tip for getting the BEST results.

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Reviewing Techniques and Media Used in My NEW Paintings

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Reviewing Techniques and Media Used in My NEW Paintings

In this video, I reveal four newly finished paintings and talk about the techniques I used and the combinations of media used in each one. I also share how these paintings direct me to new work and what I want to focus on more in these.

This practice of reviewing your work when it’s completed is really important in understanding how your work is evolving and where the clues lie for future work.

I talk about media: paint, ink, and drawing media and how and why I’m using them in my work.

Drawing with Freedom & Expression for BEST RESULTS

Drawing with Freedom & Expression for BEST RESULTS

The key to good drawing is OBSERVATION!! Having the ability to observe the subject and represent it on paper doesn’t have to be a laborious exercise. Instead, by keenly observing the subject and allowing your pencil the freedom to record what you see AS YOU SEE IT you can create a drawing that has personality and is much more expressive. This type of drawing will convey a feeling rather than recording a photographic likeness. This is my favourite type of drawing.

In this video I show some examples of figure drawing done during a Drama Festival while I was watching young actors on stage. Then in my sketchbook, back in my studio I draw my daughter in the same style and this time create a composition with abstract shapes, line and markmaking. Watch to see how I integrate the drawing with the painting and use different media within the work.

When and How to Create Large Paintings

When and How to Create Large Paintings

Is it time to upscale your Art? In this video I discuss why people often go large too soon and what you need to consider before you decide to create larger work. I share my process of painting large scale, show the tools I use and invite you to come along with me as I work on a large painting.

Avoid the Blank Canvas - Use Gesso to Paint

Avoid the Blank Canvas - Use Gesso to Paint

Starting a painting and making that first mark on a blank canvas can be daunting. In this video, I show you how to avoid this nervous starting point by using Gesso to create a beautiful surface instead of a flat blank canvas.

By painting with Gesso, applying it with a variety of tools, and allowing water to flow through the thick paint, you can build depth and subtlety into those first layers. Before you know it, you’ve started a beautiful and exciting painting and avoided the nervousness altogether.

Watch this video and alternate between Black and White Gesso to create depth and interest to your canvas. Using a variety of tools, from squeegee to comb, you can experiment and discover the effects you love as the foundation to your next painting.

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A Quick Exercise to Create Good Design

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A Quick Exercise to Create Good Design

Recognizing good design in your painting is imperative to being able to create successful artwork. So exercising your ‘design muscle’ so that you can recognize and create good design and correct bad design is part of an artists creative fitness routine! In this video I show you a quick exercise you can do in your sketchbook using pages from an old Calendar. Ripping these up to create new and interesting shape and linear combinations, and then improve the design by layering more collage over the top. All you need is some bold graphic collage material and some glue. Within a fun half hour you will have created a bold design that could be the inspiration for new work. Have fun!

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My Painting Process from Beginning to End

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My Painting Process from Beginning to End

In this video I’m creating a big red painting from beginning to end. I’m often asked how long it takes to create a painting. Well this video will give you an insight into my process. My paintings are created by going on a journey: playing, experimenting with media, and looking for direction in design by what excites me.

👉Take note of how I alternate between using acrylic paint and dry media: pencils, pastels and oil sticks.

👉Look at how I integrate collage at the beginning of the painting to provide surface interest.

👉Watch me use templates to create unique and interesting shapes.

👉Listen as I explain how I know I’m finished at the end of the video.

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Playing in my Sketchbook before I paint

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Playing in my Sketchbook before I paint

Playing in my Sketchbook before I paint on canvas is like stretching before going for a run. It reminds me of what I want to see in my work and sets the intention for a playful, exploratory studio session. Sometimes when trying to ‘finish’ paintings there can be a tendency to tighten up as we don’t want to mess up the good work we’ve done. But I want to remain loose and in exploration mode right up to the end - so limbering up in the sketchbook ensures my painting will stay loose and I get the effects that I love. In this video a quick 30 minute painting, starting with collage and ink led me to create a painting with loose fluid shapes and line to provide structure. Allowing the paint and ink to mix and flow provides beautiful accidental effects that speak of freedom and flow - which is exactly how a painting session should start. Try starting your painting session with a quick play in your sketchbook to set the intention for your exploration in paint.