A bit more space

Taking that office door off (in my studio) was timely. I had some last minute interest in last week's class and was able to squeeze one more person in. I felt a bit like Joyce Ortner .......she likes to sit on a stool and teach from the stand up easel. That's exactly the pose I struck for the class, setting up the free standing easel just inside the office with a stool to one side. The student who was sat closest to the rear exit was the only person who had to leave their chair to see my demo stages, so it's working really well. Tried and tested.

Something else to keep my fingers busy

I was recently given the most fabulous acoustic guitar. Now I don't know one guitar from the next, but friends who know about these things tell me my new toy is a proper gem. One of my birthday surprises was a guitar lesson (following an impromptu and delicious tapas lunch). I received a guitar chord and scale book and an essential tuner. All I'll say for now is...........I look at guitar players totally different and with even more admiration than ever before. I don't think I've ever tried to learn something that seems so fiddly and complicated in my life. If I can one day play a tune I'll be very surprised. But, I'll not let it beat me and it's early days. So, if any fellow guitar players out there have any words of encouragement to offer, I'll really love to hear from you. Was it the same for you too at the beginning? Were you also overwhelmed by the many chords, notes and finger positions? Boy does it hurt your finger tips too.

Lowell Speers - Seascape DVD

I have a seascape project on DVD that I've been eager to paint. Last weekend I enjoyed painting along with Lowell Speers and learned some new tricks into the process too. Now my task is to adapt the composition so it's a suitable painting project for my students. I will go ahead and paint it all over again on a much larger canvas, incorporating some slightly different brushes to ensure we get good results. I particularly like the way Lowell puts together his foreground wave and the method he uses for the wave foam is new to me. Very clever indeed. His clouds are added using a different technique too so it was really interesting to learn new ways for the sky as well. If you too would like to try Lowell's seascape project from the comfort of your own home, the DVD is available HERE at just £9.50 incl delivery. If you'd like a more 'hands-on' tuition, keep an eye on my class timetable as it will feature as a new class subject pretty soon.

Joyce Ortner Seascape Lesson for under a tenner - and more!!!

There's a really great Artist's Magazine that I subscribe too. I'd like to draw your attention to it also. It's not the type of monthly glossy mag that will drop through your door. It's a virtual magazine. Now there's pluses and minuses with this type of thing. i.e. You can't settle down on the sofa with a cup of tea and browse through it. BUT you CAN settle in front of your PC screen and watch a tuitional film showing how to paint a seascape!! The name of the Magazine is 'The Interactive Artist' At the moment it costs just $14.99 for a year's subscription (providing you use the promotional code TWITTER09 when you fill in the online application form). This works out at under £10 for the year. There's loads of information and lots of brilliant painting guides from artists like Susan Scheewe, the lovely Joyce Ortner, the very charismatic Wyland to name but a few. For a tenner I don't think you'll go far wrong. Here's Joyces 'Moon Watch' painting project which features on the 'Video Lessons' menu - along with 9 others. If Joyce's seascape gets you excited - don't miss out on her trip to the UK next September where she will be giving a 3 day seascape seminar right here in Capel St Mary. Details can be found HERE and there's still availability.

Joyce Ortner in the UK

Deposit time........The first deposits for the Joyce Ortner Seascape seminar, scheduled for September 2010 are being received. The only real change to the previous arrangements with Joyce are the price and the venue - and the former is because of the latter. Unfortunately Capel Village Hall has already been booked out and we've had to go for a more expensive venue at The Lambe School in nearby East Bergholt. So - once again, we'll be painting in the birthplace of John Constable, England's romantic painter. Just a short stroll from his studio and home, situated in one of the most pretty ,chocolate box style villlages. You can find more details HERE