Inviting your BEST into your Painting
How to Grow in Confidence and Skill as an Artist
I believe that talent gets you to the Art Table but there are 5 essential skills you need to make good art, and talent isn’t one of them. When I started to paint seriously in 2017 I had very little self confidence and only a little more technical skill and knowledge. Now I create my own authentic art confidently and with a lot more joy in my practice. How did I transition from those insecure beginnings to where I am now? In this video I reveal what I believe I needed to acquire or practice in order to grow as an artist and establish the practice I enjoy today.
Don’t PLAN - Just PLAY to create an abstract painting
By combining paint, pencils, pastel and a little collage, you can create gorgeous effects and surprises that add life to your painting. In this video I’ll show you a few different techniques I use by combining a range of media to create an abstract painting. Keeping your work fresh and playful by varying the media and how you use it, you can create a playful abstract composition. Watch the video and then give this a try!
How to draw with character and expression
This is my favourite drawing technique - it results in drawings full of expressive character while also developing strong observational skills. I love this style of drawing because it’s quick, but the results are powerful and surprising. Still life, portrait, landscape drawings can easily capture the essence of the subject and offer creative options for future explorations in paint.
The BEST Way to get INSPIRED again with paint
When life gets in the way of our art, it’s easy to lose our Mojo, find ourselves procrastinating and doubting our ability. Here’s a simple way to get back into your work as an artist and find the joy and love again. Watch as I explain why this happens and how to overcome negative feelings by playing a simple game with paint.
How to Create Abstract Artwork from Still Life
You may not want to go entirely abstract so by following these 3 simple methods you can explore 3 very different styles of abstract art. I show you how to start with drawing and then by combining drawing with simple shapes, collage, and easy paint effects you can easily abstract your still life with exciting results.
The right mindset and the first moves to ensure success
Starting a painting can be daunting - that blank canvas is like an empty stage waiting for brilliance to arrive! This can be a huge hurdle to overcome when expectations are high. So in this video I’ll share with you how to adopt the right mindset to allow yourself to freely create your best work, and what are some of the first steps you could take on that blank canvas to lead to success. Watch and then let yourself loose on your next painting journey!
Collage & Mixedmedia: Create a Strong Composition
In this demonstration I start with collage and build an abstract painting in layers. Watch as I play loosely with paint, ink and pencil to create a beautiful surface and then find structure within it by creating edges with value contrasts. Butting up light with dark, looseness with structure you can create a beautiful painting by following this experimental process.
How to find your Visual Language in Your Paintings
Having a sketchbook practice to explore ideas and techniques has been enlightening. I didn’t used to do this! As well as keeping all this exploratory work in one place it’s helped me discover my own visual language. In this video I’ll show you how to identify your language in your work and I’ll share with you how I’ve developed my shape-making in my recent work.
How Art moved me through the Grieving Process
In recent years I’ve grieved the loss of my father, then my mother (and also 2 pets). I’ve given a lot of thought as to why my Art carried my gently through Grief. In this video I explain what I did to bring my loved ones into my work and why I believe Art or any creative outlet can be so healing while we are grieving. Watch the video and share your experiences of grieving within an art practice so others can heal too.
Create Structure & Variety in your Abstract Art with this Easy Method
With a limited palette and a few quick steps I’ll show you how to create a beautiful varied and interesting surface. Then I’ll show you how to create a balanced composition by rearranging squares in a grid format. This provides structure while also allowing the variety and combinations that are so compelling in abstract art. Only requiring a few colours and materials this is an exercise that anyone can do and produce great results. Give it a go!
How to use the COLOUR SHAPER
One of my favourite tools is the Colour Shaper. In this video I show you how I use it to build beautiful layers of transparent and opaque layers into your painting surface. It's great for creating sharp edges along with gorgeous 'accidental' marks and depth into an abstract painting. Once you know how, this will become one of your favourite tools too. It's easy... watch and see.
Using Drawing & Masking To Create An Abstract Painting
Combining plant forms or representational elements in an abstract painting requires a balancing act where one element doesn’t dominate the composition.
In this demonstration, I’ll show you an effective technique to combine botanical forms with a beautiful abstract paint surface. You’ll see how to integrate various elements and combinations of marks and forms to create a successful strong abstract painting.
1 Hour Art: Creating Layers Of Mixed Media
I've recorded this video to show you my process for painting and making a finished piece in my sketchbook. I create my work, big or small by building in layers, and in this demonstration you will see the full process reduced down to creating an artwork in less than an hour. Don’t forget to download my Markmaking & Painting Promptsheet to bring over 50+ ideas into your studio.
How to Use Thick and Thin Paint to Create a Stunning Painting Surface
How to Add Beautiful Textured Surface to Collage
In the early stages of a painting I focus on building a beautiful surface with lots of texture, markmaking and a variety of paint effects. In this video I demonstrate how to do this using only black and white paint over the top of a collage base.
Following this process offers so many opportunities and directions and ensures your work will be rich with surprises for the viewer.
Let's Practice Design Fundamentals With Black And White Shapes
Artists often feel like they have to find `The Idea' for a painting before they paint. This video shows how studying design (the fundamental principles of design that apply across all mediums) can help you generate many ideas, starting with an old calendar. I’ll show you how to find great design, what to look for and then how to look for more design ideas within the work you’ve created.
2 Different Methods of Using Collage in Abstract Painting
In this video, I demonstrate 2 methods of using Collage in the early stages of an abstract painting. And then how to develop an integrated composition full of surface interest, gorgeous shapes, and a variety of lines. This is all done in my sketchbook and gives you ideas for a quick and effective painting exercise to try yourself.
