Here's looking at you

Last week I set to work on a portrait commission. I have another avid fan who also wants a painting of Peter Andre. She is set to move home in May and didn't want the painting before the move. I've practically finished the portrait and although it has a huge amount of similarities as the last one, obviously, it also has some difference too. Which is just what you want really. Here's a close up of Mr Andre's eyes and I'm pleased some people have guessed the character from this shot alone.

Changes to classes

Over the last few months we've all seen the price of fuel steadily increase. Combine this with increased hall hire rates, delivery charges, canvases, paint and other sundry costs things have been creeping up. In an effort to maintain my current class prices I've decided to cut back on the snacks / nibbles / lunches that are given during classes and private workshops. This will take effect as from 1st April. For anyone who has a Private Class Gift Voucher issued before 31st March, your lunch will still be included when you book your lesson.

A choice of colour

I'm quite pleased my daughter took my camera as she has added a beautiful collection of photos of herself to my memory card. One of them in particular is just asking to be turned into an oil painting project too. As promised, I now have a photo of the monochromatic seascape in the black/grey/white tones. I'll be offering this as an alternative choice of colour in the upcoming painting classes. (Class details , dates and locations can be found HERE) You can see a larger version of the painting in the Class Subject Gallery HERE.

The Women's Institute take to oils

We had a really pleasant drive very early Saturday morning to the venue of my class. Apart from the temperature, you'd think it was a summer's day. The venue was a lot easier to find in broad daylight than it was in the dark too. I'd given a talk on oil painting to the WI ladies of Mendham just before Christmas and they'd subsequently booked me to teach an oil painting class to their group. It was easier for me to go to them, than have them come to Capel. The group settled into the class so quickly and easily with their 'no messing' attitude. Some great paintings all round and everyone's really pleased with themselves. We've already selected the next painting project - everyone present wants to come again and there maybe a few extras too. Interestingly, a couple of ladies came well prepared with protective clothing. They managed, between them, to get oil paint on just about every surface imaginable. Which........in my book, makes you a proper artist.

I ♥ my pedometer

Here's a little bit of (useless) trivia for you. This morning I was getting all my bits and bobs ready for a private class near Diss. It took me almost 2 hours to get all the sundry items counted out, boxed up & loaded into the car. As you can imagine, there's a lot of stuff - probably more in sundry items than actual painting equipment. What's more, according to my pedometer, I managed to walk almost 2 miles in the many trips from my studio outside, to my car. Tomorrow I shall wear the pedometer again and see just how far I walk during a class. Both yesterday's students and Pop Art customer remarked I had lost even more weight. I'm not so sure, but I certainly am clocking up the miles on foot.

Pop Art Lesson

Last year, for mother's day, my eldest daughter gave me 'Aha Shake Heartbreak', a King's Of Leon CD. 'Mum', she said, 'You won't like this one straight away, but when you get used to it you will LOVE it the best'. She was right. I didn't like it. How can I describe it....................? Mmmmm - if it were a painting it would be an abstract! Today the CD came out and got played during today's class, along with 2 other Kings of Leon CD's. And today I have to say, I absolutely love the album the best - just like she said I would. The music didn't bother today's student at all. Rachel is a big KOL fan and it was perfect background music to the development of their PopArt Portrait. It was impossible to finish a 4 person portrait in the single 5 hour lesson and Rachel knew this at the time of booking. So, she has left with brushes and paint to enable her to complete this portrait at home. I bet she's working on it right now.

DVD Number 2 - Bamburgh Castle

I'm pleased to have been in some of your Christmas stockings this year. The Bamburgh Castle DVD, despite being a very British landmark, has proven to be as popular overseas as it is here in the UK. I haven't received any photos of finished paintings just yet, but I'm sure they will start to filter through quite soon. One customer, Irene, writes: I have just sat and watched the dvd and found it excellent, you explain everything in a way that is easy to grasp and found all your tips and method of working very informative.I have learnt loads in the 100 min. it took to view the dvd.
I am new to oil painting and have just started using water mixable oils and I am sure I will be able to follow your instructions using this other type of oils........ If you'd like to add Bamburgh Castle to your tuitional DVD collection you can find the shopping basket for it here. At just £11.75 delivered to your door you can paint this in your own time in the comfort of your own home.

Versions of 'The Country Church'

The 'Country Church' painting subject is evolving in many lovely ways. Students are making this particular painting subject their very own work. For instance.....a couple of weeks ago one lady painted in a character laying with his back against the tree, knees bent, relaxing, possibly even asleep. Another lady decided she didn't want to put in the foreground tree - instead she went for pretty highlighted bushes and soft grass. It seems once we get to that foreground area - that's when the composition is really open to change. We've had paths, fences and one clever chap even painted in a path leading to a jetty projecting into the water. We've had spires, lightning poles, windows, doors, extensions added to the little background church too. I'm absolutely delighted that students are having so much fun with their paintings and it shows me their confidence levels and their imagination. Well done.