When I ask readers what they are struggling with most in painting, one of the most common replies is a struggle to paint looser and more relaxed. This is a common problem in painting. We tend to overthink and overcomplicate things. The end result is usually a tight and overly refined painting (which is fine if … Read more
The seascape can be a challenging subject to paint. Water is unpredictable by nature and has translucent and reflective qualities which can be a pain to deal with. In this post, I’ll give you several tips to help you effectively paint seascapes. These are aimed at beginner artists, but more advanced artists may also find … Read more
Color studies are perfect for exploring different arrangements of color without having to worry about other aspects of painting like accuracy and composition. In this post, I will walk you through how to go about doing color studies and what you can learn from them. I’ll cover: What Is a Color Study? A color study … Read more
Virtuoso brushwork is a defining feature of many of the great artists. They wielded their brush like it was an extension of their arm and paint flowed effortlessly onto the canvas. They knew when to paint thick and when to paint smooth. When to paint with delicate attention and when to simplify the detail. When … Read more
One of the most common reservations artists have with oil painting is the use of harsh chemicals like solvents and mediums. To a beginner, these additional supplies can seem overwhelming. Painting is hard enough without the added confusion of mediums and solvents. But you do not need to use additional solvents and mediums in oil painting. … Read more
Painting is all about taking an idea and communicating that idea to other people using paint and brush. Most people only talk about the physical process of how to apply paint to the canvas. But it is also important to consider what happens before you pick up your brush – the process of taking that … Read more
This is a detailed guide on the idea of notan and how you can use it to improve your art. I’ll cover: What Does “Notan” Mean in Terms of Art? Notan is a Japanese term that literally means “light-dark harmony”. Artists use “notan studies” to explore different arrangements of light and dark elements in a … Read more
I recently put the finishing touches on this painting which features a secluded red house amongst the beautiful New Zealand landscape. I will walk you through how I painted it and what went on behind the strokes of my brush. In this post, I’ll cover: Supplies Used I recently invested in some Rosemary & Co … Read more
Black is a very polarizing color in the art world. Some people swear by using black, and others avoid it all together. In this post, I want to try and clear up some of the confusion around black and provide you with some information on how to use it in your paintings and how to mix … Read more
When you sell a painting, it is important that you are able to get it to the buyer in a safe condition. So much effort goes into creating a painting that it would be a shame for it to be damaged in transit. I recently had to say goodbye to one of my paintings and … Read more