This is a detailed guide on gouache painting. I’ll cover: What is Gouache? Gouache (pronounced ‘gwash’) is water-soluble paint that has a matte finish. It is similar to watercolor but is opaque instead of translucent. Gouache paint consists of color pigments bound in gum arabic or dextrin. White pigment or chalk-like material is added to … Read more
Hashtags help social media users discover new content related to a specific theme. For this reason, the right use and combination of hashtags will help to expose your work to a larger and more relevant audience. In this post, I share some tips for choosing the right hashtags for your posts, and I include some … Read more
(My “On the Easel” posts give you a behind-the-scenes look at what I am working on, what went well, what went wrong, and things I learn.) Below is Creek After Flood. It has been flooding heavily throughout Brisbane over the last few months. With that, many of the tiny creeks are flowing strong and the … Read more
“For me … a painting should be something to cherish, joyous and pretty, yes pretty!” Pierre-Auguste Renoir Let’s take a look at how to paint like Pierre-Auguste Renoir. I’ve never been much a fan of Renoir’s work. That was until I saw one of his paintings at the European Masters exhibition. A Young Girl With … Read more
Expert from the introduction: “This is a book about making art. Ordinary art. Ordinary art means something like: all art not made by Mozart. After all, art is rarely made by Mozart-like people; essentially-statistically speaking-there aren’t any people like that. Geniuses get made once-a-century or so, yet good art gets made all the time, so … Read more
(My “On the Easel” posts give you a behind-the-scenes look at what I am working on, what went well, what went wrong, and things I learn.) Below is Caloundra, Shimmering Light. It depicts a high-contrast scene, with the shadowed foreground framing the shimmering Caloundra estuary. Reference Photo Here’s the reference photo I painted from: Feel … Read more
Let’s go over some of the different art styles you can use. I’ll cover: What Does Art Style Mean? Style in art refers to an artist’s unique combination of techniques, processes, and decisions. It develops and evolves over the lifetime of an artist. A distinct style can help with an artist’s branding and recognition. Many … Read more
I recently painted the garden outside my parents’ home. Surprisingly, this was my first time painting a garden scene like this. A good challenge and I think it turned out ok. Below is the finished painting plus some progress shots. I also put together a few garden painting tips for you: Want to Learn More? … Read more
In this post, I’ll cover: What You’ll Need To sharpen your pencil for drawing, you’ll need: A razor; Pencils (graphite or charcoal. I use charcoal); A sanding pad (you should be able to buy this at your local art store); Paper towel; and A hard, smooth surface to work on. Step-by-Step Process Let’s take a … Read more
Rosemary and Co brushes are my preferred brush providers. This review relates to their Ultimate Bristle line of oil paint brushes. Manufacturer A note from Rosemary and Co’s founder: “I’ve been making brushes for 38 years and supplying artists by mail order. I’m fortunate that my trade has allowed me to travel the world both … Read more
Not sure what to draw? This post will provide you with some ideas. What to Look For in a Drawing Subject Here are a few points to consider when deciding what to draw: Beginner Drawing Ideas Here are some beginner drawing ideas. These are simple in terms of shape, form, and contrast. Intermediate Drawing Ideas … Read more
“Good composition is like a suspension bridge – each line adds strength and takes none away. No one is an artist unless he carries his picture in his head before painting it, and is sure of his method and composition.” Robert Henri This is a detailed guide on composition. I’ll cover: (If you don’t have time … Read more