Intuitive painting is always an adventure. You start with no idea where you will end up. But in this video my painting took me to a desert, a kasbah and a camel - how wonderful!! By keeping within a colour palette and using shapes that evoke memories of places you’ve been to, you can recreate your feelings of a location in paint.
Adding.... adding..... adding.... more... more.... more.... until something gives me an idea or there's something that I like the look of that gives me a feeling of certainty that I'm onto something. I'm sure you know the feeling. Then once I've found the 'thing' or group of things then it's time to apply LESS IS MORE. So I'll start to edit and take away what I don't need. This is basically the process I use in all my work: Add, add, add... then subtract.
In this video I lead you through a process of creating simple shapes that can be repeated in your abstract composition. When you repeat shapes you create a structure and cohesion in your painting which helps to eliminate that “chaotic, too-busy” feeling that can happen in abstract work. Follow the simple steps shown in this video using shapes that resonate with you and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the outcome.
When creating abstract artwork the most common problem people encounter is getting stuck - losing direction - not knowing how to finish. Having a simple roadmap and understanding what to focus on at the various stages of a painting means you never get lost, because you always know which Stage you’re at and what your intention is. In this video I demonstrate how I navigated my way through the painting process to finally finish my painting.
When we're painting, we often struggle to make certain parts of it work. And while struggling with that part, we begin to forget other things around it. But by doing this, we're avoiding making good parts of the picture even better by putting something opposite next to them. In this video I'll explain how you can use this 'opposite' element in your painting to help the good parts of your work shine.
What can we learn from Picasso’s Sketchbook Drawings?
In this video I talk about using Drawing to find the structure in your composition. By reducing your painting down to basic lines and shapes you can start to see how you can improve the design. I also show examples of different styles and techniques that Picasso used when drawing and planning his work.
Following these techniques and methods we can discover new directions to take our work and get clarity around improving the design. We can also just have fun creating simple compositions with line, shape and basic tonal value.
Who needs Still Life, a Nude or a Landscape when you can create a painting from your thoughts and dreams? In this demonstration I build a painting by using colours, imagery, words and shapes that come straight from my subconscious. It results in a strange world, yet is somehow familiar to me and includes my pets, favourite colours and patterns. It also includes a lot which makes no sense but is somehow pleasing to me.
Watch the video and then create your strange and beautiful world.
Great Art has clarity. The viewer is instantly drawn to it because it doesn’t confuse or overwhelm. It’s strong in message, even if the message is only “look at this gorgeous colour” or “look at this lovely combination of shapes”. In this video I demonstrate by using one of my own paintings, showing how I improved it by getting very clear on what are the HEROES. Once I could identify these I could eliminate the distractions and make them stronger. Watch the video and then take a look at your own work with fresh eyes and a new perspective.
What to do when you love parts of your painting, but not all of it. In this video I talk about how I solved this problem with a painting of mine. I didn’t want to lose what I loved, but I had to make some changes. This can be daunting and involves taking a big risk - but if you’re game, the rewards are worth it. Let me show you how…
How do you know when your abstract painting is finished? In this video, I take you through the process with one of my paintings, showing you what I didn’t like about it and how I fixed it and finished the work. I talk about what I focus on and what questions I ask the painting in order to gain clarity around what steps to take next.
1. Make a big move to disrupt the work and make a big change
2. Rotate the work so you see it differently
3. Ask: What have I got?
4. Look for repetition and ask: Do I need this? Have I already got this somewhere else?
5. Is my eye led around the composition?
When you have worked through these questions, and you’re happy with the work, stand back and walk away. Look at it again after a few days to see if you still feel the same.
Seeking advice from the wrong people can derail our art and steer us in the wrong direction. It’s so important we don’t fall into the trap of asking the wrong people just because it’s convenient. We need to find company that supports our work and helps us to make our best work. When we ask the wrong people we get bad advice and it’s often biased towards making work to please others - often our nearest and dearest. In this video I talk about seeking the opinion of others, why it’s important and where to find the best advice.
Recognizing good design in your painting is imperative to being able to create successful artwork. So exercising your ‘design muscle’ so that you can recognize and create good design and correct bad design is part of an artists creative fitness routine! In this video I show you a quick exercise you can do in your sketchbook using pages from an old Calendar. Ripping these up to create new and interesting shape and linear combinations, and then improve the design by layering more collage over the top. All you need is some bold graphic collage material and some glue. Within a fun half hour you will have created a bold design that could be the inspiration for new work. Have fun!
In this video I’m creating a big red painting from beginning to end. I’m often asked how long it takes to create a painting. Well this video will give you an insight into my process. My paintings are created by going on a journey: playing, experimenting with media, and looking for direction in design by what excites me.
👉Take note of how I alternate between using acrylic paint and dry media: pencils, pastels and oil sticks.
👉Look at how I integrate collage at the beginning of the painting to provide surface interest.
👉Watch me use templates to create unique and interesting shapes.
👉Listen as I explain how I know I’m finished at the end of the video.
