Happy New Year !!!!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers, customers and student friends the warmest well wishes for the New Year.

'We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day.' Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Pumpkins throought the letter box

I've been known to receive all manner of things through the post from various students and readers. Today's post was interesting. Pumpkin plants !! May I say Liz, your packaging was brilliant and your plants have arrived safe and sound. In fact, they have travelled far better via Royal Mail than the little basil plant I picked up from a neighbour and tried to bring home in the basket of my bike. I think most of the soil got shaken out with each bump I rode over.

New Classes - New Subject

After today's 'Sunbeams' class I wasn't in too much of a hurry to clear things away. In fact, it was the perfect time to complete a little painting project I started work on a couple of weeks ago. The paints and brushes we used in 'Sunbeams' are exactly the ones I want for this project. Several weeks ago I came across a delightful photograph shown above in sepia tones. I've been wanting to create some quicker painting projects for new classes in the summer. The Green Room in Stowmarket is now available again and I've booked a couple of Saturdays in June and July. These classes will be shorter and cheaper; the paintings will be smaller too. You'll be able to paint in the morning and be done by lunchtime. 'Up', which is my version of the photograph, will be the subject for our June painting - details of times, price and date can be found on my Timetable page HERE.

Forgetting the most important thing.....

Is this a sign of old age? I hope not! My car was loaded for today's demo - with the exception of a couple of things which I had left in plain view on the dining room table. Despite this, I managed to tear out the door, forgetting the most vital piece of equipment. Of course, I didn't realise my predicament until I arrived at the hall and started to set up. I mean, how can you begin to do a demo when you didn't bring your paints with you? With the words 'You Plonker, Rodney' ringing in my ear I had no choice but to drive home for them. I was up and running by about 11.30am, so all was not lost. It was great to see some familiar faces, being born and bread in Stowupland. The clock most definately turned back to Primary School years and it was great catching up with some childhood schoolmates - and some old neighbours. But - one of the best results of the day was a delightful lady who had a plant stall. I've stocked up with some more vegetable plants for an absolute song. The lady in the queue in front of me spent £25 on garden plants and I'm thinking there's easily £75 - £100 worth of products there had they been on display at any garden centre.I managed to steer clear of the home made cake stall, but did give in to a slice of cake in the afternoon. The hall ran the most amazing coffee shop, also providing full lunches which was really successful. A very short stroll down the road, in the local Church, the flower festival is on display. Sadly I didn't manage to have a look at that, I must pop and see the arrangements before they are taken down.

Sold - to the lady with the Gondola!

During last Saturday's class, Alan brought in a total of 5 fresh eggs. They were sold to a student within minutes - probably the quickest display of manufacturing and sales I've seen so far. They are all destined for a baking session so they've been sold to a lady after my own heart. Our painting subject was the second stage of 'Venetia', the gondola sunset scene. I'm going to run this 2 day class again in April for anyone who would like to do it. (Details HERE) Although it's painted 'wet on wet' style, there are a lot of different techniques involved which gives us a much finer and detailed finish.

Learn to paint Portraits in Oils - With Valerie Stewart

I've just uploaded a larger version of my recent Jimmy Carr portrait to my gallery page - which can be seen HERE. I emailed the finished piece to Portrait expert Valerie Stewart, along with the photo I was working from.

I'm thrilled to have received this message back: I am VERY IMPRESSED with your painting. I'm going to look it over with a magnifying glass and see if I find anything but at first glance I see no problems!!!

After close scrutiny, Valerie writes: I honestly don't see anything .... (sorry) :) It is VERY GOOD. Maybe a small shadow on the top of his fingernail???? Maybe a pinch of pink in the lips??? I LOVE it. YOU'RE AWESOME!!!!

So, that's pretty much made my day :)

If you'd like to come along to Valerie's 4 day Portrait workshop here in June, (full details can be found HERE) do drop me a line or give me a call to register your interest. For those of you who haven't yet sent your deposits, please be aware time is getting on if you want to be 100% certain of your booking. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy one of Valerie's more recent celebrity portraits.

So good - we just have to do it again

Just incase anyone else would like to have a go at the 'Venetia' painting of Venice - I've added another couple of dates on the Class Timetable. Both dates fall on a Saturday and the cost of each lesson is just £35. If you prefer to chose your own 2 dates, you can opt to paint this as a private lesson - in which case, the cost will be £45 for each lesson. This can easily be painted over 2 consecutive days, there's no need to wait a week to complete stage 2. It just so happens my student earlier this week has a daughter living in Venice, whom she visits quite regularly. She fully intends to return to paint this scene sometime soon. She was telling me about how lovely Venice is and I really am longing for a trip there - maybe a Spring mini break. So while the website has been updating, I've been having a little look to see what's on offer. I'd love to make it over there sometime this year.

Clever student........or what????

Well, both I and my student rose to the challenge and the results, I feel, speak for themselves. When I was asked to make the Venetian scene a class subject I was not really certain about it (at first). One thing I knew for sure - it could not be done in a single sitting. So, as you've seen on the timetable and Sue's News, it was broken down into 2 shorter classes. Well, the second stage was finished today and I guess the overall time for the 2 classes was in the region of 7 hours, give or take. I think you will have to agree, my student has done a fabulous job - and she fully intends to get this hung in her home. I've been showing the photo (a much larger version) to both Alan and Tris (my daughter's partner). Alan was raving about the water effects and the blended sky - Tris thought the painting was one of mine. I'll put a larger image in my forum so you can see the details better. Well done Sue G xxx

Ice Sculpture???

Artistic expression seems to be running in the family today. I've got a lovely ice sculpture of 'Jezza' in my back garden. Jezza was the name of my daughter's marine crab, named after Jeremy Beadle. (You had to see the size of his pincers for this to make sense!). Her and her boyfriend, Tristan, have spent some time in the garden, wrapped up in many layers, building this unique little snow creature. He's about 6 foot wide. Bless.

By hook or by crook......

.................... I was determined to get some painting done this week. And I made sure that things were in my favour by setting everything up last night. It's been a relaxing day, but the picture has been put together in fits and starts. I've taken time out to make phone calls, do a bit of admin work, got distracted on the net and even had a neighbour over for coffee. But I did keep coming back to it and adding bits. This is what we have so far and I might carry on with it - I might not. It might end up being a new painting subject or I might fiddle it to death and it might not. I already know I shall be framing it and I will enter it into my first exhibition of the year. What shall I call it? any ideas?

Woops - a - daisy !

I had a bit of an accident when hanging the Serengeti painting up to dry. I have several nails in walls around the house and that's where my wet paintings get sometimes get hung, plus it gives me a chance to live with them for a bit. I gallery wrapped this painting (or, in layman's terms, I painted around the edges). Just as this painting was in position it slipped from my hands it hit the lounge carpet on it's side and then fell face down. A bit like buttered toast really. Did I panic? Nope! Out came Grandma's Secret Spot Remover and within seconds the BLACK oil paint was removed from the carpet. But that wasn't all.......I had a big black smudge across the front of the painting. So out came my trusty wipe out tool. Off came the smudge and it was soon repaired and back to normal again. If this happens to you - for £5.50 the spot remover will take out paint stains from clothes and furnishings and for £5.99 the wipe-out tool will take out any random blobs from your paintings. You can see a little indentation on the bottom picture that was caused by pressure - this will become flat again as the painting dries out.

Class Subjects - new additions

Some new class dates have been added to the Class Timetable, along with some new class subjects. Here's one I have recently finished, entitled 'Serengeti Sunrise'. This painting was very nearly giraffes........in fact, I still might do a giraffe one.

Anniversary September Class

I've had a little change of mind. I've realised next month celebrates the 6th anniversary of the first time I ever seriously dabbled with oil paints. It's the month I created the first ever oil painting I sold at exhibition too. That painting was 'Peach Dawn' and it was my version of a Bob Ross painting project. Earlier this week I just felt like painting it again - for old time's sake. I had a biggy and a little 'un on the go at the same time. Anyway's, I digress, I'm going to make 'Peach Dawn' our Spetember painting subject at Capel St Mary Village Hall on Sunday 13th. If you'd like to coma along and paint this pretty scene, do give me a call on 01473 311938 or drop me a line on info@ayoubart.co.uk This painting was life-changing for me. Who knows, it might just change your life too.......

Revive your brushes

As I was setting up for today's class, I found 3 x 1 inch landscape brushes that hadn't been properly cleaned. The bristles had gone a little hard, too hard to apply medium with, that's for sure. I decided to use those brushes anyway and very easily rejuventated them to their former glory within minutes. Out came the brush cleaning bar and within seconds they were clean, soft, supple and fragrant. Although I don't recommend using the soap bar with your large (1 inch and 2.5 inch) landscape brushes, it is possible to clean them if you are very, very careful. The secret is NOT to have your brushes in contact with water for a length of time. Just dip your brush into luke warm water, wiggle it over the cleaning bar and work up a lather into the bristles with your fingers. This will loosen any residue medium and paint. Quickly dip your brush into clean lukewarm water to rinse and remove all traces of water immediately, using an old towel or kitchen roll. After this, tightly bind your bristles with clean kitchen roll, which will ensure all traces of water are absorbed away. If you stick to this method your landscape brushes will survive the cleaning process. I showed today's students just what the cleaning bar was capable of as I handed them a very old, stiff 1 inch wide filbert brush. They could barely bend the bristles over. Within minutes, after working it over the cleaning soap bar a couple of times it was as soft as new. At just £3.50 a bar, delivered to your door, if it saves just one brush it would have paid for itself. If you'd like some, you can find the shopping basket for it HERE

A suprise at the WI

The ladies of the Stowmarket WI had a little suprise at last night's oil painting demonstration - so did Alan and I - and so did a lady called Colleen. As my sister and mother live close to the venue and as neither of them had ever seen me give a 'talk' I asked them along as guests. The WI welcomed them into their group and they were already sat down and settled before Alan and I even arrived. I recognised several familiar faces within the audience and was delighted to re-unite with a workmate, Colleen, from my office days, going back a good 10 years or more. Colleen knows me only as a Credit Manager, totally unaware of my artist alter ego. So, Colleen's suprise was to see the new me enjoying a very, very different career. Our suprise was the fact that it was the Stowmarket WI's 25th Anniversary. Instead of the usual tea and cakes we had champagne and celebration cake (much to the delight of Alan who somehow managed to find himself with 2 glasses of champers.) But I think the best suprise of all was the one I gave the ladies, and hopefully my family too. During the talk I referred to several of my paintings which were on display. I explained how they had come about, the inspiration behind some of them, the simple technique behind others. I was explaining how we would make falling snow and asked the audience if they would like to see a painting with this effect. 'Yes', they enthused......and as I pulled out a painting from behind the table there was a loud 'Ahhhhhhhh'. 'What do you think of this?', I asked. 'Lovely, beautiful....' and several other very positive comments were passed. 'Well', I said, 'This painting isn't mine. This painting is from one of my students. This painting is from someone who defied me to get a decent picture out of her, determined to be my first failure and she's sitting right among you all - my mum!'. I hope the audience reaction confirmed to mum just how far she'd travelled and how well she had done on her art journey.

Valerie Stewart Workshop in the UK - May 2010

The Valerie Stewart demo DVD at just £16 (including p&p) is proving to be a very popular item and a great introduction into oil painting portraits. Valerie and I are currently discussing a portrait workshop here in the UK - a first for both of us. We had hoped to organise a seminar for this year, but alas, our schedules are just too busy to slot this in with ample time for promotion and proper organisation. So, dates have been confirmed for 2010. The 4 day seminar will take place on 30th April, 1st, 2nd and 3rd May. We will complete 2 oil painting portraits of your choice. Further details will be released as soon as they are available and long distance students will have more than enough time to organise accommodation and travel/flights. This opportunity to paint along with Valerie will be extremely exciting and places will be limited to just 26 students. The workshops will take place in Capel St Mary and students will need to commit to the full 4 days. I'm thrilled this extremely popular and talented instructor is willing to teach here in the UK - this will be one memorable class, guaranteed.

New Oil painting Tool & cleaning bar

My tube-squeezer tool, for extracting the last little drop of oil paint from the tubes, really attracts students' attention. I'm often being asked where they can be purchased. Unfortunately, the tool I own comes from overseas and costs around £35 to be delivered to the UK. But, I can now supply a very similar piece of equipment to you. This tube squeezer will soon pay for itself, that's for certain. It's the same size as the one I use in classes, measuring 4 inches wide (not including the key) and 5 inches deep. I've also added a brush cleaner to my supplies page. This soap bar is made specifically for cleaning your softer and smaller brushes. It lasts an absolute age and really does condition and clean your script liners, flats, fans, rounds - just about every brush, with the exception of your large 1 inch and 2.5 inch landscape brushes. You can find both items HERE.

Money Saving Art Supplies

As I pulled off the dual carriageway this morning, heading towards Stowmarket, I was delighted to see the Tesco's roundabout filled with pretty yellow daffodils. In the brilliant sunshine they were a treat and a sure sign that Spring is only just around the corner. The warm sun stayed with us for the best part of the day, and it allowed my students to take their paintings into the courtyard at The Green Room so their black acrylic base coats could dry off rapidly. I had a huge amount of questions at the end of class regarding wet-on-wet oil painting supplies. I'm lucky in that I am not tied in with any particular Company and can pass on details of the many various brands that I personally recommend for this particular technique - all tried and tested and guaranteed to do the job and give brilliant value for money. I was delighted with one particular comment I received from Rob; 'You've saved me £15 already on the thinners alone!'. It's no secret in saying it's my mission to get as many people oil painting as possible - plus - I can show you how you can set yourself up without having to spend a small fortune. In this current economic crisis, the £15 that Rob has saved will easily buy him a couple of brushes, a tube or two of paint and a canvas.

New Class Subjects.

For the last few classes, I've been taking along paintings of mine and letting the students select the subjects for future painting classes. Their input has been great and it helps me to make a decision too.

A couple of the paintings they have selected can be completed in just 4 hours, instead of the usual 5 hour session. So......we'll put these into my Saturday Classes at the Green Room in Stowmarket and we'll have a discounted rate for these shorter lessons. One of the most popular paintings 'The Lightning Tree' will be taught to complete beginners on Saturday, February 29th. The cost for the class is just £40 per person and if you book with a friend, you can take advantage of a £5 discount EACH. You can find the details, location etc here: http://www.ayoubart.co.uk/17.html

The first result

I've just received the first photo of a painting made by following my DVD. THis is Lee's picture, you can see he's changed the canvas around to portrait instead of landscape and it alters the composition in a really lovely way too. The picture was taken on his mobile phone and sent by text to me. I think you'll agree, he's done a marvellous job. In his text message to me he says 'Now THIS one I like....' And for anyone who knows Lee, they will know he is his own worst critic. If anyone else wants to text in a photo - you can do so on 079500 32557Look forward to seeing some more.... and well done Lee