Finding Direction in Abstract Painting

Finding Direction in Abstract Painting

Last week you would have watched about the breakthrough and moving ahead with my paintings. And suddenly, this painting is taking me on a very bumpy journey - and you're all coming along for the ride!

At the moment, what it means to me is that this painting will be rich in layers, have AMAZING texture, and is taking longer to reveal itself... that's all. I can't describe the process, I'll just leave you to watch me making some very dubious decisions.

Building The Surface

Building The Surface

In this week's Vlog, I continue with the progress of the painting which I started last week. I'm adding the layers and building the surface using different tools to apply paint and get a range of effects. Watch as I share with you the process of building my current work as it's starting to get exciting.

The First Layers

The First Layers

This video shows the process of creating the first few layers of one of my latest paintings. I collaged with fabric and then applied paint and dry drawing media. Watch as I show you the process of how I bring life to the surface.

Preparing for Painting

Preparing for Painting

In this vlog, I'll walk you through how I start a painting from the very beginning: preparing the canvas and the first layers, and what my focus is at this stage. Stay to the end to see how one painting evolved from beginning through to the final finished form.

What's Your Hero?

What's Your Hero?

Abstract painting can often look like 'wallpaper'. It has no focal point and the viewers eye is left to roam often unable to discern what the artist wants them to see, feel or gain from their painting. What these paintings need is a hero. Here I talk about deciding on a hero when developing an abstract painting.

Your Painting Style

Your Painting Style

How do you find your style? We all want to make authentic Art and have a recognizable style, but searching for our style and working within a style can be troublesome. Watch as I talk about how to find your style and how to keep your style alive.

Is Your Painting WRONG?

Is Your Painting WRONG?

A painting is created by a series of decisions. Some more successful than others. How we respond to these decisions, the good and the bad, ultimately results in the final painting. Watch as I talk about how to respond to the less successful decisions in the painting process.

Taking A Painting Backwards

Taking A Painting Backwards

We all want to finish our paintings, but sometimes we have to take them a few steps backward in order to finish them. This takes courage and big moves, but in my experience always results in a better outcome. In this short Vlog, I demonstrate the process of taking a painting backward to finish it.

Choosing Colours

Choosing Colours

When choosing the right colour in my paintings I use a simple process of asking questions to establish what type of colour will look best. Once I have established the colour type the options are narrowed and I know exactly what colour to mix in order to create harmony or contrast. This process takes away the guesswork when mixing colour.

Starting A Painting

Starting A Painting

How I start a series of paintings. Watch as Judy talks about her process, the materials she uses, and what her concerns are as she starts a series of abstract mixed-media paintings.

Artists are WEIRD

Artists are WEIRD

I think everyone’s a little weird – even though most of the time we try to hide it. But artists are especially weird. I mean, it’s a bit looney-tunes to get really excited about a dribble of paint, or a torn edge of paper or a smudge next to a lump. Those are some of my pet loves, I wouldn’t mind betting you could match mine with a few of your own.

The Beauty of Multiples

The Beauty of Multiples

Working in multiples is a game-changer in producing work of higher quality, reducing anxiety during the process and maintaining consistency throughout your artwork. Watch as I talk you through my most recent series of paintings and how working on one informs the decisions made in the others.

Permission To Paint

Permission To Paint

Do you give yourself permission to paint? When there are pressing demands on your time it’s worthwhile to evaluate the importance of the attention you give to your Art. What it means to you and why you want to spend time playing with paint.

Do You Have A Hero?

Do You Have A Hero?

I’m taking more time to mix colours that are ‘right’. Suddenly I hear a chorus of “What exactly is a ‘right’ colour?” Of course, there is no such one colour. A ‘right’ colour is one that looks absolutely gorgeous next to the colour around it. I’m not being haphazard and just seeing what appears – I’m thinking, what exactly do I want?

A Painting's Journey

A Painting's Journey

Deciding to rework a painting can often be seen as taking a backward step. But following your intuition and listening to your guiding inner voice is essential. Until you LOVE your paintings - they are not finished.

SHOULD You Use A Sketchbook?

SHOULD You Use A Sketchbook?

“How can you call yourself an Artist if you don’t have a sketchbook?” Well, I explore my ideas in the process of my paintings on the canvas. I love trying this and that right there on the canvas. And I love that these explorations become part of the painting and are embedded in the surface.

About Winning Art2Life 1st Prize

About Winning Art2Life 1st Prize

So last Wednesday when I sat at my computer on that Zoom call and one by one watched the other Artists get their awards and then finally when the 2nd place was announced and I knew I had won – I heard a whoop from my partner in the bedroom - and I cried…

Selling Your Art

Selling Your Art

SELLING ART. With the knee-wobbling price of art materials and given that none of us are going to stop producing it’s something that we have to deal with, like it or not. I‘ve learnt that selling Art is a long game. Read my 5 tips for selling your Art.

The Power of Pretending

The Power of Pretending

Taking doubt and hesitation completely out of our Art Practice is challenging. But what if we pretend we operate with assurance and confidence? The power of pretending can be enlightening and result in lasting change.

Finishing Again

Finishing Again

How do you know when you’re finished is one of THE most frequently asked questions, and probably the most difficult to answer. Well, you just know – you know? How do I go about deciding that perhaps… maybe it’s possibly… quite probably finished or…. almost done – nearly?