Art Questions, News, Painting

Update on Fabriano Artistico paper – 1st February 2017

Hello everyone, I thought it was time to write an update on the Fabriano Artistico paper situation. Unfortunately, for the moment, the report is that there is nothing much to report on the paper front. The October earthquake in Italy hit the Pioraco Mill and the roof collapsed, damaging some of the machinery. Fortunately nobody… Continue reading Update on Fabriano Artistico paper – 1st February 2017

Art Questions, Painting

Watercolour pans vs. tubes

This is a question that I am asked a lot: is it better to use tubes or pans to build your watercolour palette? As usual, the answer is never quite straightforward and it really depends on how you use your watercolours the most. Do you paint large or small? Do you travel a lot, especially… Continue reading Watercolour pans vs. tubes

Art courses, Art Tutorials, News, Painting

Botanical Bites – my new painting series

On this brisk and sunny Sunday afternoon I should be outside enjoying the fresh air and doing some gardening... But I went clubbing on Friday night and went to an ice-hockey match last night. Two late nights in a row, I'm too old for this. So today, I am sprawled out on the sofa in… Continue reading Botanical Bites – my new painting series

Art Tutorials, Painting

Designing a Christmas card

While the rules of composition apply to card design, composition and design are two different things. When composing a painting, the artist has to take into account depth and perspective, the mood they want to convey, the size and orientation of the picture as well as the mount’s placement. If illustrating for a book, practical… Continue reading Designing a Christmas card