Happy New Year

I'd like to wish all readers a very Happy New Year indeed. May 2009 be filled with light and colour, inspiration and creation, health and happiness, warmth and love. I'd like to leave you (once again) with this lovely quote from T. S. Eliot: For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

I'm stuck............till tomorrow anyway!

Today, after pretty much another full day of painting, I decided I still had a little bit of creativity left in the brushes. I prepped a fresh canvas and just squirted a small amount of black, white and grey oil paint onto a fresh palette. I didn't know what I was going to paint, I just made a start to see what would flow. It was an exercise to unwind and 'get loose' more than anything else.

I stopped when I reached this point as I was tired. I was very tempted to just push in some foreground bushes and throw in a large 'bravery test' tree.......but I didn't. It's not always wise to paint when you're tired. I think I'd rather leave this one until tomorrow to see what to add to finish this painting off. If you've any suggestions please drop me a line on info@ayoubart.co.uk

Alan thinks the painting should stay as it is...... so I'll consider that option also.

Leftovers - Part II

..............................but there was still paint left over and plenty on all the brushes too, so I decided to make yet another on a smaller canvas this time!

I'm in my element when playing around with green paint (my favourite colour) and woody scenes.

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.

Would you like to learn to paint........?

Hi, Hello, Bonjour, Marhaba, Hola, Gutten Takh, Aloha.....

Welcome to my first 'Blog' entry. This is an ideal place for me to showcase how I teach complete beginners to make a large oil painting in just one session!

Here's Rosemary's story...........

I've just put the phone down from a long distance student who painted in a class a couple of weeks ago. I know she won't mind me telling you she is in her early 70's. She made a train and coach trip lasting almost 6 hours to attend the class. I met her at the station and brought her to her accomodation - http://www.apollostudio.co.uk/ . As she unpacked and freshened up I popped on the kettle and we introduced ourselves properly over tea and biscuits. The following morning, off we set for the class. Rosemary was nervous and really did wonder if she'd be able to make a good version of 'Make a Wish', seen here on the right. The other students, most of them being in the same boat, relaxed a little more knowing they shared common ground. The class progressed in a simple, fun, relaxed way. I'm not a formal person, I'm not strict, at the end of the day, the painting experience must be a pleasurable one. To cut a long story short, Rosemary telephoned firstly to thank me for her painting experience, and secondly to tell me she's been made an offer to sell her painting. Now, I know she won't sell this for love nor money, but she may just sell subsequent paintings. Her husband does not believe she made the painting totally on her own. She sat her husband down to watch her FREE DVD - (yes, every student gets a free 2 hour DVD worth £15 to take away with them, showing how to paint waterfalls, waves, lakes, streams........) Her family and friends are wowed by her painting and she has a family member who wants to join her for her next painting adventure with me in the new year. On her next visit she'll be purchasing a collection of brushes and other equipment so she can start painting at home.

You can find more details of my classes and even request a copy of your own FREE DVD here: http://www.ayoubart.co.uk/