Serenity

I've had some projects on the back burner and today I've managed to complete a couple of them. Next month I'll be introducing some panoramic canvases to my beginner's oil painting workshops. Here's the AyoubArt project for Capel St Mary on 6th July - a gentle seascape called 'Serenity'. This is for absolute beginners and is an ideal painting subject to hang in your own home or give as a gift. It's hard to see in the small image, but the sky has some twinkling stars, theres some gentle water movement and a couple of gulls checking out the lonesome yacht.

Lap work

Today I really wanted to have another day in my studio but unfortunately the very wet weather and a severe power cut put paid to that idea. But all was not lost...............I have several Pop Art projects on the go at the moment. With half finished celebrity faces laying all around the house, they are a great thing to pick up and work on in fits and starts. As these portraits are made using acrylics, I can work on my lap. So, although I wanted to work on a rather special oil painting project, instead I've completed 2 Pop Arts. Hopefully, fingers crossed, I'll be able to work in oils tomorrow, while the creative mood is still with me.

Incidentally..........................I am able to teach these Pop Art Portraits to beginners. If you're interested in painting your own idol's portrait this way please contact me on 01473 311938 for details. Alternatively you can view other student's work on my website HERE

The Crossing

This Bank Holiday weekend has been spent painting. On Saturday I enjoyed the day in my studio and worked on this bridge scene 'The Crossing'. I got quite carried away with this and took a lot of time tickling in some really fine details. It's put me in good stead for including a bridge in future painting projects, which was the main aim of the exercise. Now I need to develop a painting, with this stone bridge, that can be taught in an oil painting class in the 5 hour time slot.

Spring's Here........

This week I had set aside some time to complete some new class painting subjects. I have several scenes that are in development and they really do need finalising and fine tuning. Unfortunately (or fortunately) the weather has been so glorious that it seems a shame to be indoors painting. I managed to find a happy medium (pardon the pun) and split my time between working in the garden and working on some paintings.

Here's a couple of new additions to the Class Subjects' Gallery that you might like.

'Flare' - a rather different mountain scene

and

'Spring's Here' - a pretty and colourful floral composition

We'll be painting 'Spring's Here' at Heartlands in July.

For details of my classes please view http://ayoubart.co.uk/17.html

For details of the painting subjects available to beginners please view http://ayoubart.co.uk/15.html

- or you could make enquiries to Sue Warne of Ayoubart on 01473 311938

Smokey

Some exciting new tuitional DVD's have just been released in the UK. Portrait Artist Valerie Stewart, from the USA, had recorded several pet portrait projects. A 10 disc DVD set is available which gives you 4 DVD's on preparing your canvas, under painting your project, expanding your portrait and finishing touches. A further 6 painting projects are included with step by step guides showing you a variety of cats, dogs and a pony. They are on promotional offer for just £67.50 including postage and packing HERE: http://www.ayoubart.co.uk/121.html On May 10th the offer ends and the price will go up to £83. Alternatively you can purchase single DVD projects at just £13.50.

One of the DVD projects is a lovely cat 'Smokey'. The composition is an extreme close up, which really appeals to me. I have a kitten very similar to the one in the project and thought I'd give it a go. Above you can see step 1, step 2 and my finished result. As it's painted in 3 stages it is an ideal project to do if you only have an hour or so to paint.

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.

Pop Art

As well as teaching the wet on wet oil painting technique, I also teach pop art. Pop Art is made in acrylics and is only available as a private class. I can take up to two students maximum for this to allow for 100% personnal guidance. The Pop Art classes also run for approx 5 hours and the subject can be either taken from a family photo or a celebrity. If you wish to paint a family member, I will need the photo sent to me by either e-mail or post a week in advance to make sure it is suitable for Pop Art. If you wish to paint a celebrity I will need to know the name also a week in advance. This allows me to play around with images for the best possible representation. Tomorrow's private student wishes to paint Robbie Williams so today, in an exercise to experiment with colour mixing, I have painted my own Pop Art version as a guide. He's hanging on my lounge wall to dry and his eyes follow you everywhere! If you'd like to book a Pop Art Workshop, drop me a line on info@ayoubart.co.uk or call me on 01473 311938