When I was learning how to paint abstractly in acrylic, the overriding message was about layers. The more the better. Build a history. Create texture. Kill your darlings and keep going. But there’s trouble with layers in acrylic painting too. I painted using these ideas for several years before I Read more…
Getting back to the heart of your creative life Finding my core creative values has helped me get back to the heart of my art practice after feeling disconnected for many months. In my last blog I shared a method for discovering your personal creative values, a selection of words Read more…
Identifying your personal values can be really helpful in many aspects of life. Our core values can change as we and our lives do but they can help us make decisions and steer us through difficult times. They can also help us create art that feels meaningful and guide us Read more…
Have you read the book Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross? While it’s not a light read, the positive impact of art on our well being is clear. According to this book, there is increasing evidence that both making (and viewing) art improves physical and mental Read more…
Creating art can often feel like a never-ending pursuit of perfection and our internet presence only exaggerates our desire to show only our best work. Our desired results won’t always (or maybe never) meet our expectations. But making art that we consider bad or not good enough is part of Read more…
Why experiment in a sketchbook with grids? Sketchbooks are a great place to test ideas, discover new things, or play with art supplies. One way to experiment is to use a grid of smaller compositions all on one page. Grids are attractive to the eye and have been used by Read more…
Sometimes, we can’t get to our art practice and it can feel frustrating and worrying. However, there are things we can try, to help stay connected to our art. When we know what we want to do but getting to the art feels impossible, we need a different approach from Read more…
In 2023 I tidied my tubes of acrylic paint away, I wanted to reduce my art waste and stop pouring paint water down the sink. I looked at alternatives and began to experiment with other materials. Artist friends have switched to refillable paints and pens or invested in filtration systems Read more…
The Brighton Festival starts in May 2024 and that means Artists Open Houses begin too. During May over 180 homes, studios and venues in Brighton and Hove will be open to the public. Hundreds of artists and makers will be sharing their work and skills. It’s a wonderful opportunity to Read more…
What is creative block? Creative block is described as an inability to access our creativity. It can feel like being stuck, having no ideas or not being motivated to create at all and it can be uncomfortable. Creativity is essential to our lives from our soul-filling hobbies to how we Read more…