Experiment for yourselves - and save some money

Many of you know already but for those of you who don't. In all my trials and tests on oils paints I have found pretty much most popular brands are suitable for the wet on wet technique. In today's class I quite happily proved this by using a total of not 1, not 2 but 5 different brands of paint. As I'm not tied into using any specific brands I'm free to use exactly what I want. One thing I will not do is compromise on standard and if it doesn't pass the test it finds itself left on a shelf somewhere in the dark and cobwebby recesses of my studio. With all these brands of paint squirted onto the palette side by side they all looked the same in consistency. You'd never know...... It's far better to pay attention to the actual quality of your painting surface, your base medium and the brushes you use. I really hope, as a tutor, I open up the many options available to students who want to set themselves up at home. Can anyone remember the test I done about 5 years ago? I painted 2 versions of the same painting side by side using identical brushes. Painting number 1 was made with student quality paint. Painting number 2 was made with professional artist paint. To give you a paint price comparison a 37ml tube of cad red student quality paint is £1.99, a 37ml tube of cad red professional artist quality paint is £10.39. 7 colours were used for the painting subject. When the painting was completed and dried I used to take them both along to art classes, explain what I had done, and ask the students to pick out which was the 'dear' one. And not many could. In one class I had another art instructor who studied both paintings, laughed and said 'Ha, it's obvious' and picked the wrong one. So, have fun, experiment, if you like a colour but it's not your usual brand - try it, the chances are in your favour it will probably work for you and mix in with your other paints just fine.

Hello world

I'm sat here in the middle of some admin tasks wondering what to write for my news entry for today. This may interest you, it may not. It's certainly nothing to do with art. Sometimes I look into my website statistics more deeply than others - some days I don't look at them at all. To be honest, there's so many aspects to the statistics charts and I can't say I understand them all. I just concentrate on the more important figures - like what pages are popular, how people are finding me, what their word searches are. Where my referrals are coming from. It's very rare that I view the actual country locations of my readers but this afternoon I thought I'd check it out. Wanna know ? Going straight to the top of the chart we have the UK, followed by the USA. That I expect. Next we have - in order of sessions - Australia, Germany, Russia, Japan, China (that means I can expect some spam emails), Uruguay, Sweden, Ukraine, France, Mauritius, Spain, Colombia, Austria (Hello Helga), Bulgaria, Canada, Netherlands, Portugal, Indonesia, Israel and finally Kenya. Some visitors' locations fall under the heading 'un resolved' - no idea what that could mean. Some fall under the heading 'EU'. So - a big hello to the world, I'm watching you watching me........or rather, these beautiful blue eyes are watching you. They are the work of my recent portrait student. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Popular Pop'in

During yesterday's pop art class, students painted a mixture of subjects - both celebrity and family members. It was a first time for all students and all of them were just a little doubtful as to how well they would do. That's when you just HAVE to trust your teacher....... Relax, put yourself in my hands, leave the worrying to me. It's what you are paying me for. Pop art is such a cool way to make a unique and personalised gift for someone special. Many of those who have learned it have received requests to paint more....and more.....and more. So, bearing this in mind and being well aware of the 'C' word that will be upon us in a few months, I am adding more Pop Art Classes to my class timetable. Your Pop Art session can be spent in several ways. You can start the work on a particularly complex and large portrait, or you can complete a 'normal' one. If you can't finish a Pop Art in the one session it is very, very easy to continure working at home - and several students have done this with 100% success. On the other hand, I have some students who use their class to prep several canvases with the sole purpose of working on many of them at home - enough to keep them ticking over for a few weeks. It's a great way of taking full advantage of my equipment. I only take on a few students at a time in a Pop Art class, which means it's a very intimate and friendly session - probably the next best thing to a private lesson. If you'd like to give it a go - click here to see the details of my next session. And if you can't wait - there's always private.

Back to work.......

The holiday break has been great - and so has the weather, which was a welcome bonus. It's back to business as usual now though. Student Sue and I have kicked off the week by working on her second portrait lesson. All the colours have been added over the underpainting, many facial details have been completed, we've worked the background and started on the clothing. I'm fully confident this can be totally finished off on one more lesson. The portrait lessons are taught in 3 hour blocks and will continue until the painting is complete. Each block is £45 (weekday rate) and the price includes everything you need to make the portrait. It's a great way of working, with classes running (normally) from 10am till 1pm. Other times can be arranged if needed. Next summer I will be running evening classes from 6pm to 9pm to suit those of you who work full time. For more details on portraiture classes CLICK HERE

Learn to paint portraits

People have been asking about Portrait oil painting lessons for some time now. Portrait painting in oils is something I took up back in June 2009. I sat down one day with a photo of Capt. Jack Sparrow, played Valerie Stewart's demo DVD and had a go. I liked her style and technique A LOT. I've painted many portraits since then. Some have featured on my website, some (more private ones) haven't. I've taken on several commissions and I have to say, I totally enjoy every aspect of portraiture. What I want readers to know, basically, is the experience that lays behind the teaching. I have involved Valerie in many of my portrait works over the past 15 months. She's been just an email away every step of the way. Just before she came to the UK, 3 months ago, she announced that I was ready to teach portraits. During her 4 day seminar in June, I gave teaching a go and assisted some of the students. I paid very close attention to Valerie's teaching style, the way she corrected mistakes, picking up as much information as I could. Valerie has given me the benefit of her years of expertise freely. Although I may have been ready to teach a few months ago, I actually haven't had the opportunity to do so, (due to prior committments), until today. I have opened up a new web page showing some photos from today's class and giving you all the details of how portraiture classes work. If you CLICK HERE you'll see how we got on in this exciting new class.

Demonstration / Talks to groups

Last week I had a last minute demo to do for an Art Group. Another demonstrator, due to ill health, was unable to make the appointment. Luckily I was free and enjoyed giving another talk to this lovely lot of ladies. They are becoming very familiar faces to me indeed as I've given them 2 exclusive classes. I've taught some in my own classes, some have come for private tuition and some keep popping up in other local art groups too. Although I pretty much have a demo kit always at the ready I somehow spent an amazing 3 hours getting a wide range of bits and bobs together and loading my car. So...............that was the morning gone. Mind you, it only takes me 15 minutes to un load and put everything back again. Because these ladies have seen me so many times before I really do have to think of new and inventive things to show them each time. Plus, as it's an art group they like me to bring along my mobile art shop so they can perhaps invest in some art supplies.

If anyone / group / association has had me demo before , rest assured, if you have me back I can always show you something new. From August I will be demo-ing portraiture too, so that may be of interest. And if ever I run out of things to show you with a paint brush, you could always have me over to demonstrate how to play a saxaphone (badly) - or - if you really want to be entertained, I'm known for some of my magic tricks. Do call me on 01473 311938 or drop me a line if you are interested in a live painting demo.

Let the sun shine in.....

Recently influenced by the beautiful weather, I was determined to create a new painting class subject and sat browsing through some holiday photos for inspiration. I flung open the double doors of my studio and let the sun and heat stream in - I put my new CD on the player, turned up the volume. I made myself a lovely glass of cold pineapple juice. Out came the paints and off we went. It almost takes me as long to record each stage in my note book as it does to paint it. But - my notes are vital if I want to re-create it as exactly as I can. If any of you are familiar with Joyce Ortner, you'll know that's the way she works too. She even suggests keeping a 'recipe book' for al the colours that you mix, which is a great idea too. Anyways - I leave you with Cor Phew. You can see a larger version of this painting in my class subjects gallery.

Exciting news on the horizon

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

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.

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.

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)

Hot Hot Hot

Has it been a hot one where you all are? Yesterday morning at 9.30am Pauline, Alison and I set off headed for Stowupland again. We're organising a ramble for the WI ladies in August. Today we had a second trial run, taking in a different route. Pauline and I decided to cover a walk that we used to enjoy when we were about 10/11 years old. A slightly shorter walk this time led us through a farm, several fields and many country lanes with the occassional little stream. We stumbled upon a farm with an open day event. In we popped and spent a little while looking at the animals and stalls. We sat on a bale in the sun and enjoyed 3 cups of tea and 2 slices of cake for just over £2.50 for the lot ! A familiar face from my past school days served us too. I have to laugh at Pauline as she issued a warning to Alison. 'Be careful what you say and do and watch out when she gets the camera out as it could all end up on Sue's News" she said. Mmmmmm. Would I be so cheeky? I think not. Instead I shall leave you with a photo I took of a couple of cows.

Art Demonstration for SODA

It was my pleasure to travel to nearby Needham Market last week. It was a beautiful sunny and hot day so the roof was open and the music was on. My legs were positively burning through my jeans with the heat from the sun. I decided, as I had ample time, to take the scenic route and avoid the A roads. It's such a delight driving throught the narrow country lanes and to see the trees full of green once again. I was booked to do an oil painting demonstration for S.O.D.A, the Society of Disabled Artists. A small, friendly and intimate group and very welcoming. We had some giggles, I had some heckles and it's all in a very pleasant day's work.

Art Class

How lovely. Last week I opened my emails and received the most touching message from student and friend, Sue Grant. I'm going to have to get this printed out on parchment paper and get it framed. It'll look just right next to my ACI Certificate. Thank you Sue, that's so lovely and I will treasure this. xx

ART CLASS - By Sue Grant

Hurray, Hurray, art class today.
Off I set in my Honda Jazz,
Full of joy, and full of p'zazz,
What will be the subject today?
Will it be blossom in the month of May?
Or perhaps a sunflower and a busy bee,
Or sunbeams glancing off a leafy tree.

Hurray, Hurray, art class today.
I pick up the canvas and paint it white,
Put in a sky, but that's too light,
Add some more blue, says teacher Sue,
And a cheeky cloud, that's what I'd do.
Tap in some bushes and distant trees ,
A few flowers here and some busy bees.

Hurray, Hurray, art class today.
At last the painting's looking good,
But whoops, I wonder how I could
Paint my jumper white and green,
And both my hands a delicate sheen,
Of blue and red and yellow too,
But never mind, along comes Sue.

Hurray, Hurray, art class today.
Sue has grandma's paint remover,
It moves the stains off like a hoover,
So soon my painting's back on track,
The only thing I think it lack's,
Is a touch of white to highlight here,
And a bit of shadow to bring the trees near.

Hurray, Hurray, art class today,
We walk around with Oohs and Aahs,
I love your distant trees afar!
That cloud is great, I love your sky!
And what effect has that water nearby!
We praise each others' works of art,
And leave the class, so sad of heart,

But never mind, it won't be long,
I'll soon be back to sing my song,
'Hurray, Hurray, art class today'
To paint a picture in wonderful hues
And hear my family's aahs and oohs
The thing that I would like to say
Is just how much I enjoy the day.

Beautiful colour scheme

I'd like to show you a really delightful colour combination. Judy purchased my Golden Lake and Bamburgh Castle DVD's and she's been having fun painting them both in a variety of colours. It's great to see what other people make of these compositions and I love to see the results when students put in their own personalities. This beautiful bright blue and mauve, I think, work really well together. Judy writes: 'I have loved and thoroughly enjoyed painting the Golden Lake, but best of all the Bamburgh Castle, I've used other colours as well and they all look good. Had 4 framed and got good comments from the art dealer.' Judy is hoping to make some painting sales to help finance her 15 year old Grandson gain a world title in Tae-Kwondo in Portugal later this year. He already holds the British title. I'm sure you'll join me in wishing Judy all the best with her painting sales, they look beautifiul as they are, they look even more fabulous with their frames.

New venue for painting classes

I'm going to try a new venue - the Church Hall at Stowupland. This lovely light, spacious and airy hall is just perfect for a painting class. Our first class there will be on Thursday 8th July and we will be painting the Northern Lights. You can find details of the class HERE. Our class will start at 10am. The church is located between Stowupland's Post Office and the Primary School. There is parking in the church layby. It's a pretty setting. On a more nostalgic note, I can remember standing outside the church waiting for a wedding to finish. There was one particular person in the entourage that I wanted to meet - none other than football legend (and my West Ham hero) Bobby Moore. His daughter was a bridesmaid at the wedding and very pretty she looked too. I met him again a few years later, can you believe, in the gold souk in Bahrain !! I was shopping for an engagement ring at the time. Anyway...... I'm, getting distracted now......... if you'd like to come along and paint the Northern Lights in July, do drop me a line on info@ayoubart.co.uk or give me a call on 01473 311938

Bigger.............and better!!

The organiser of the Village Fayre wasn't quite sure what an art demo entailed. But now that she does she's selected an ideal (and bigger) spot in the hall for us to have next year. We'll be able to set up a make and take area too so members of the public can have a little go at some artwork. We'll also be doing a one day Christmas Bazaar there too in November, so I need to get my thinking cap on and make some pretty Christmas designs. I've managed to take some snaps of some of my demo paintings, many of which will make ideal new class painting subjects. All but one demo painting sold in it's wet state which was great as I didn't have to worry about transporting them home. Here's a snap of the last painting I made, sold from the easel as the last brush stroke went on. It was propped up on the floor and took on several different moods as it was hit by bright sunshine and later as the clouds drew in. I had a really interesting chat with the village Vicar. He was asking me about my classes, my students and the subject rapidly turned to faith - faith in your teacher. As he made his way to the next stall you could see the cogs ticking over as he said, 'I feel a sermon coming on'. As I wind down with a glass of wine and think about the lovely people I've met, the neighbours and school friends of over 35 years ago I really have to give a huge, huge thanks to my very dear friend Pauline, who encouraged me to give this fayre a go, who put in loads of effort, remembered to bring sweeteners, and done her best to keep me away from the cake stall. xx

I'm your man?

Yet April ends with the basics of another portrait completed. I wanted to get this prep work done so it can dry in time for the weekend. I can work on this at any quiet times I might get during my demonstration day at Stowupland Village Hall. With my car all loaded and ready for an early morning start I hope someone wakes me up before I go-go. I can remember seeing this chap live on stage at Wembley Stadium several years ago with both my daughters in tow. The day's events featured a wide range of superstars from Eurythmics, Bowie, Stereophonics, Robbie Williams to mention just a few. There was someone there for each of us. This chap appeared about three quarters of the way through the chairty concert and his entrance on stage was one of the best I've seen. As he spun round to face the audience, sat in a huge red leather and chrome chair in centre stage his black hair, white, white teeth and gradient sunglasses were sheer class. If you're a fan, I'll leave you with one of my favourite tracks (and a rather clever video) HERE

Please stay nice......

I do hope this brilliant weather stays like this for the Bank Holiday weekend. It's been nice to have the kitchen door wide open. At the moment I spend a lot of my time sitting in my dining room as I have a lovely little portrait working area that's been set up for quite a while. It's non-invasive and doesn't hardly disrupt the dining room at all and it's been brilliant painting with all this fresh air and country sounds around me. For the past few days I've had another little portrait sitting in the side lines and I've been messing around with him for 5 - 10 minutes at a time. Probably not the sort of character anyone would want to mess with, but I thought he might make a good subject. He's not quite finished yet but now his features have been refined he really does look quite sinister in the semi-darkness of the dining room. Right, I'm off for a game of Quid Pro Quo.......with a nice bottle of Chianti and some fava beans