Exciting news on the horizon

Watch this space for exciting news on my new 'learn to paint portraits' classes.

Closed for business

Just a quick line to let you know AyoubArt will be closed for a few days between 29th June and 4th July inclusive. All internet orders received so far (it's 9.30am) have been despatched already. It will be business as usual from 5th July, which will be my next posting day.

Summer - isn't it just great

If you've been following Sue's News on my main AyoubArt website, you'll know I've really been enjoying some lovely bike rides. (I received a bike for my birthday a few months ago replacing the one that was stolen from my drive). This morning my friend and I clocked up another 10 miles. We're getting quicker at this bike riding lark and are thinking about adding on a few miles to the circuit. We have several horrible hills to tackle on the route and as we emerge from one we are greeted with a lovely view of wide open fields with woods in the background. The soft greens of corn and barley fields are edged with the bright contrast of the delicate poppies. The vista is a nice reward for the uphill struggle. Just as I get to the top of the hill before turning into my cul-de-sac I saw this little fella fast asleep in the full sunshine - which I expect most of you were doing at that time in the morning. I've just received an e-mail from my daughter who wants me to go on the bike ride this evening when she gets home from work - what have I started? All good fun though and the exercise has been an essential part in maintaining my weight loss. Plus I enjoy it, I really do.

Pop Art - anything can be 'Popped' !

I know some of you couldn't make the Pop Art class at Heartlands for various reasons - but do not fear. We will be rescheduling another class for Pop Art there really soon. I have to think of people I want to paint as my demo subject so I can show you all how to do it - the things to avoid and the things that will make your Pop Arts look great. Yesterday I was looking at some paintings of my all time favourite artist ever - Salvador Dali.......so today I decided to paint him in a Che Guevara pose. He was quick for me to do so I also managed to finish off Eden - a golden labrador. Pop Art really applies to anything and everything. You could paint a landmark, a person, an animal .......whatever you want really. If you'd like to have a go at Pop Art sooner rather than later, you can always book in for a private lesson. I can take groups of up to 4 people in a private session - plus you receive a £5 discount each for 2 or more people.

Cheeky

Yesterday I caught up with all sorts of bits and bobs, some things arty - some things not. It took up most of my day. I was determined to get some painting time in, if only a few moments. As my WIP work is continually set up now in my new studio, everything is to hand. It makes things so much easier to paint, without disrupting the main house. I knew I only had about an hour, so, I changed the colour of Robbie Williams eyes from blue to green (still loads more to do on him so I won't bore you with a photo just yet). Another project I have on the back burner is a portrait of sorts. I want something very soft and gentle, very feminine. My new lounge doesn't have a single thing hanging on the wall and I want something quite different for an alcove. As you can see, there's loads more to do to this, I've really only laid in the underpainting and just 2 flesh tones. But, it means I did manage to get some painting time in and I'm a few steps further with both paintings' progression.

Portraiture for beginners and improvers

Here's a little News Flash that may interest fellow painters. As from July I will be teaching portraiture. It's something Valerie and I have been discussing for a while and, after the recent Portrait Seminar, the time is right. I must stress, portraiture cannot be completed in a single class and cannot really be compared to the wet on wet landscapes. To begin with, portraiture classes will be taught as private lessons or small groups of up to 4 people. If you'd like details about this sooner rather than wait until July, do feel free to contact me. Meanwhile, I leave you with Harry, my latest one.......I can share him with you now that he's been delivered and given the thumbs up by the family.

A sea of faces

Last week I enjoyed some time in my new painting area. I've been busy working on portraiture. I have hung various portraits in the studio, some complete and some are W.I.P's. It's been quite nice painting while being overseen by various celebrities and other faces. One little fella, Lucas, really makes me smile. Lucas is a baby and I've been painting him in a pose where he is lying on his belly with his head held up. As I look beyond the right of my easel his face looks full of curiosity and wonder. His turn next, he needs some details to his clothes, background and some final details to the face.

Have a look

I've also sized, croped and edited quite a few more photos taken at the Valerie Stewart Portrait Seminar. You can now view quite a large selection of works in progress, finished paintings and some extreme close up shots. I think you'll agree - there's some brilliant work there. CLICK HERE to be taken to the portrait class gallery page.

New product

I've uploaded some more photos of the portrait class - there's still many more to be added. From these images you'll be able to see a selection of what was acheived in the first 2 days only! CLICK HERE

Valerie uses a Kopy Kake projector to allow students to speedily and accurately make a very basic tracing of their photo onto the canvas. As Valerie says, she teaches painting, not drawing. These projectors are now available to purchase direct from my website at a cost of only £185 - CLICK HERE for the full details.

There's a 5 year guarantee too. This price includes delivery to any address in mainland UK. (Normal retail price is £255)

Customers Say......

I would like to share with you some testimonials. I asked students if they would write me a quick note to reflect their thoughts on Valerie's portrait seminar.

Brigid: I got on a plane from Ireland to come to Valerie's classes. What a great instructor. Calm, re-assuring and always praising the efforts you make, giving courage to go on. I will be back next year, if she comes back to the UK

Jim: I have completed two portrait paintings of my grandchildren. It is he closest 'likeness' I have managed in the last two years of trying. I am amazed by the wonderful likeness everyone on the course managed.

Helen: Dear Valerie & Sue. I have enjoyed this course better than any other I have been on. You have both made it so enjoyable and welcoming. I shall be taking not only my pictures with me but wonderful memories and a lot more knowledge. Thankyou again.

Edd: Thanks very much, Val. It was great.

Maxine: Valerie, I have been touched by your magic fingers. That has inspired me to look forward and take my own journey that will last a life time. Thankyou so much. Your new best friend.

Mo: WOW. What an experience. I am so glad my husband brought me this course for my birthday. I was so unsure when I started but the end results speak for themselves. WOW. Thanks again.

Pauline: Val & Sue. What a nervous novice I was on day 1. I booked the course and then fretted for days wondering if I'd done the right thing. Now on day 4 I cannot wait to go home and sing your praises to everyone I meet. Thankyou for your hospitality Sue and thankyou Valerie, you are a great tutor. See y'all next year, LUV U xx

Martin: To Val & Sue. What a great 4 Days I had. The company was brilliant. Your teaching is second to none. Hope to see you again very soon.Grace: Really enjoyed myself and I have learned loads.

Marion: Dear Valerie & Sue, Oh WOW. I have really enjoyed myself so much and truely cannot thank you enough. I am thrilled with my self-portrait and my hubbie's portrait and am amazed at Valerie's skill. A brush stroke here and there transforms the look. I take with me the desire to paint even more portraits and to have the confidence to put on colour (especially dark colours). I hope you come next year as I have already cleared the time off from my family if you do. Lots of love to you both.

Not a dry eye in the hall.....

Well, I can safely say all of the students who have taken part in the portraiture seminar have left the class with amazing paintings. We've had a few guests drop by this afternoon to admire the work and their feedback has given the students good reason to smile. I'll pop some images of the actual portraits on the website over the next few days so you can see for yourselves.

I have to take this opportunity to thank my lovely nephew, Edward. He has been ever vigilant in fetching paints, keeping the refreshments on the go, running errands at the drop of a hat, taking photos - the list goes on.

We were particularly touched after lunch today when Valerie, Edward & I were summoned to the dinner table. The lovely Pauline shushed everyone up, pulled a sheet of paper from her notes, stood up and read this:

Dear Sue
Your unassuming attitude
Your generous nature and servitude
Deserve a special mention in all our books
(And so does Robbie Williams' good looks)
For you - no gift - maybe a cup of tea
And a great big thanks for your Company
A special mention though,
About your cake
That recipe, I would like to take
Back home with me - so -
When I get a minuteI can bake, and not paint,
When my heart's not in it.
Please remember to keep in touch
'Cos we all shall miss you so very much

NOW

Dear Valerie,
A bouquet of flowers -We thought of that,
But you've no time to enjoy them -So that fell flat!
We all agreed that
Whatever we choose
'Twould be a waste
'Cos you're off on a cruise.
We all subscribed for this gift -You've not had
Then decided the dosh
Go to Edward instead!

This dear lad has been so good
Making us drinks & offering food
He deserves recognition for all
He has done
And we must say it now
Before we're all gone.
He's waited on us
Hand and foot -
But you, dear Valerie......U CAN KISS MY BUTT !!!
(I love you tho' xxx)

As Pauline read the Edward paragraph she walked around the table towards him and emptied a jug into his lap. The student's had made a secret collection and presented it to a very surprised and stunned teenager. Pauline's poem touched all our hearts having us laughing one minute and welling up the next.

What a lovely lot you are - and what a lovely job I have when it brings folk like this into my life.
I love you all and hope to paint with you again sometime soon.
From the heart - thankyou
xxxxxx

Day 3 and we're painting with friends

Day 3 of our portraiture lessons was so fulfilling to each and every student. These faces are coming alive before our eyes as some finer details are being added. It's been an amazing process. From the end of day one all the paintings looked finished - in a sepia/monochromatic way. From the end of day 2, once the basic skin tones and the eyes were completed - again we seemed to have finished paintings. Today we have been 'pushing and pulling'. That's Valerie's way of describing the enhancement of highlights and shadows. Eyelashes are going in, freckles are being added, the second stage to the background areas are being adjusted, stripes to shirts (well done Marion). All beautiful - really beautiful. If I had a pound (that's a quid to you, Valerie) every time I heard the words 'she's amazing', I'd be taking a sackfull to the bank. It's been an absolute privilege watching this very talented lady at work with her endless supply of positive energy. Many of us have learned plenty already from Valerie's DVD's but we have learned volumes from the extensive visual and verbal demos that are continually being illustrated throughout the last 3 days. With one more day to go we prepare once again to paint with our new friends. For more class photos CLICK HERE.

Day 2 and all is well

Day 2 of the portrait seminar is now over and the phenominal standard of all the work really has to be seen to be believed. This time I had a fully charged camera battery and Edward, our lovely helper, has been snapping away. For now, I'm showing some class shots. I've a number of photos of the actual portraits but I'm not going to put them on the web without getting permission from the student's just yet. I've started a new web page so you can get an idea of what's been going on. In just 2 days Valerie has won the hearts of every student in the hall. Her energy levels would put a teenager to shame and her customer service is second to none. Do have a look at how we're all doing HERE

Day 1 of the Portrait Classes

During the first part of Valerie's demo I went for my camera to get a group shot of the class and Valerie in action. Flat battery. Darn it. Once re-charged I will be able to get some snaps of everyone's portraits at the end of stage one first thing in the morning. We have the most amazing selection of portraits going on and they are all absolutely brilliant (and it's only stage 1). We're enjoying the process and we're enjoying everyone's progress. The class is such fun, very light hearted and the whole group have become mates. For now I'm going to have to leave you, very reluctantly, with one of mine. Believe me, I would much rather show you some of the student's work that's been going on today. Never mind, tomorrow I can share more. Do you know, I don't think there is a single student who has not left the classroom buzzin' today. All I can say is, Mrs Valerie Stewart is one of the most awesome instructors I think I have ever met. What she can do with just a couple of strokes of a brush has to be seen to be believed - AND, she's very good at multi-tasking.