Smokey

Some exciting new tuitional DVD's have just been released in the UK. Portrait Artist Valerie Stewart, from the USA, had recorded several pet portrait projects. A 10 disc DVD set is available which gives you 4 DVD's on preparing your canvas, under painting your project, expanding your portrait and finishing touches. A further 6 painting projects are included with step by step guides showing you a variety of cats, dogs and a pony. They are on promotional offer for just £67.50 including postage and packing HERE: http://www.ayoubart.co.uk/121.html On May 10th the offer ends and the price will go up to £83. Alternatively you can purchase single DVD projects at just £13.50.

One of the DVD projects is a lovely cat 'Smokey'. The composition is an extreme close up, which really appeals to me. I have a kitten very similar to the one in the project and thought I'd give it a go. Above you can see step 1, step 2 and my finished result. As it's painted in 3 stages it is an ideal project to do if you only have an hour or so to paint.

Climb every mountain......

I've been working on some mountains today - Bill Alexander style. I've been sent some photos of the Himilayas and have been asked to develop a painting from the photos to teach to a beginner in a private lesson. Here's what I have so far. Unfortunately I was interupted at this stage and didn't progress any further. It was a nice interuption catching up with old friends, we sat and drank coffee amongst a table full of oils and brushes.

You can see one of the many snaps I've been sent to use as reference material.

Pop Art

As well as teaching the wet on wet oil painting technique, I also teach pop art. Pop Art is made in acrylics and is only available as a private class. I can take up to two students maximum for this to allow for 100% personnal guidance. The Pop Art classes also run for approx 5 hours and the subject can be either taken from a family photo or a celebrity. If you wish to paint a family member, I will need the photo sent to me by either e-mail or post a week in advance to make sure it is suitable for Pop Art. If you wish to paint a celebrity I will need to know the name also a week in advance. This allows me to play around with images for the best possible representation. Tomorrow's private student wishes to paint Robbie Williams so today, in an exercise to experiment with colour mixing, I have painted my own Pop Art version as a guide. He's hanging on my lounge wall to dry and his eyes follow you everywhere! If you'd like to book a Pop Art Workshop, drop me a line on info@ayoubart.co.uk or call me on 01473 311938