Sheep painting video part 1

Sheep painting part 1: Starting with an acrylic paint marker, I begin this painting by establishing the outline of two sheep and a lamb. Just keeping things loose and simple at this stage.

Liquitex Professional Paint Marker Review

I've recently started using Liquitex Professional Paint markers in my work. These marker pens, that are filled with acrylic paint rather than ink, are surprisingly expressive as they provide a wide variety of mark and line. They are also really useful for painting on location. I've used them to create drawings and also begin paintings. In the video below I go through the type of marks you can make, chat about some of my recent work using these pens and then do a quick cow sketch to show them in action.

Exeter Art Society - Artist Demonstration

Had a great time painting a Belted Galloway Cow at Exeter Art Society the other night, thanks to everyone who came along!

Here's the finished painting (above) that I did for the demo, this Belted Galloway cow was created using Atelier Acrylics over the top of dried conventional acrylics, one of my favourite techniques.

Everyone at Exeter Art Society made me feel very welcome and there was lots of insightful (and humourous :-) ) discussion during the demo. The photos here (above) are: top left: setting up for the evening, as I painted, my progress was projected onto the screen; mid left: people starting to arrive, there were about 37 people in attendance; bottom left: an audience member grabs a pic of the finished painting; right: micro exhibition and laptop slideshow for the half-time break.

Recently discovered this mixed media paper (above) and it's great to paint on especially after sealing the surface with a coat of acrylic.

To start, I did some very quick and very loose line drawings (above) where I don't worry at all about the results, it's a good way to warm up before moving on to the main picture.

These patches of colour (above) were used to demonstrate the unique properties of the Atelier Acrylics. The paint on the left is conventional acrylic, the patch on the right is Atelier interactive. Initially, they both looked identical and, once dry, I asked each person in the audience to feel that both patches of paint were dry. Once everyone was satisfied, I sprayed both with water and demonstrated that the patch of conventional acrylic was completely waterproof by rubbing a brush over the top. However, when a brush was used on the Interactive paint it was reactivated and was easy to move around on the paper (this makes for much easier blending than conventional acrylics allow).

Above: A close-up of the cow head, I used the Atelier Acrylics to define the details and created some blended effects / soft edges on different parts of the animal.

Really enjoyed the evening, thanks to everyone who helped me pack everything away. Check out Exeter Art Society's website here.

Private View: Landscape Artist of the Year 2016 at the Mayne Gallery in Kingsbridge, Devon

As mentioned in recent posts, I was lucky enough to be named a finalist in the Devon Life Magazine Landscape Artist of the Year 2016. The work of the six finalists is now showing in an exhibition at the Mayne Gallery in Kingsbridge and here are some photos from the private view that took place the other night.

Landscape paintings on show at Mayne Gallery in Kingsbridge in Devon

I have some paintings going on show for the first 3 weeks of April at the Mayne Gallery in Kingsbridge, South Hams, Devon. The exhibition is to celebrate the work of the six finalists in the Devon Life Landscape Painter of the year competition and also features work by James Tatum, Cherry Lyons, Peter Blakesley, Laura Boyd and Johanna Mcweeney

Finalist in Devon Life Magazine's Landscape Painter of the Year Competition

Very pleased to hear that I have been selected as one of six finalists in Devon Life Magazine's Landscape Painter of the Year Competition. My painting 'Feel The Heat', an acrylic landscape painting of a Devon landscape was the image selected. You can check out the article in the February issue of the magazine.

How to find the time to paint on even the busiest days - part 8 (final episode)

Final part: In episode 8 of Focus for Five, I continue to block in the clothes, including a stripey shirt and then begin to fill in some of the negative space. The idea behind this painting of a group of people is to paint or draw for just 5 minutes a day, hence "Focus for Five", which allows one to be creative even on a really busy day when life would otherwise get in the way.