When I first started painting I didn’t know much. That’s the beauty of learning a new skill though, there’s so much to learn. I’m still learning now and you never really stop. I had no idea how much there was to take in, but I was so keen it almost became an obsession. Over 20 […]
What Does It Actually Mean to “Read” a Painting? Read More »
I get asked this a lot. Where do you start? What’s the first mark you make? The truth is there isn’t one way. I know that’s not the answer people want, but it’s the honest one. Where you start depends on the painting, what it needs, and what kind of artist you are. This isn’t
Where Do You Even Start a Painting? Read More »
I was searching for something on my computer and stumbled across some old paintings I’d done way back in 2014 and before. It was a lovely reminder of how things change, where you’ve come from, and how much I love, and have always loved, painting the sky. I’m always telling my students to keep hold
A Blast from the Past! Read More »
Like many artists, I’m obsessed with light. I’ve always been drawn to capturing the way it falls across a scene, those gorgeous warm pools of sunshine and the cool shadows that sit alongside them. It’s one of those things that, once you understand it, everything changes. I recently painted three country scenes, two of which
Painting Light in Acrylics & Oils Read More »
One of the questions I get asked a lot from students is I have this photo I want to paint, where do I start? Obviously I help guide them in the process, it’s every artists goal to paint from their own inspirations, you see something and want to capture it. However until you understand all the
One Simple Habit That Will Improve Your Painting Fast Read More »
I took this rather chaotic photo on a recent trip to the Sea Life Centre with my children. It’s busy, it’s colourful, and it’s a bit of a mess. Tropical fish darting all over the place, competing for attention. The kind of scene that is wonderful to look at but can be a bit daunting
Simplification in Painting Read More »
On a Q&A call with my Vibrant Visions students this week, someone asked a question that I thought was worth sharing more widely — because I suspect a lot of artists have the same assumption sitting quietly in the back of their mind. We were talking about leading lines — how artists guide the viewer’s
You Don’t Need a Path — How to Lead the Eye Though Your Painting Read More »
A simple concept — but one that has a huge impact on your paintings. Today I want to talk to you about something that is going to have a real impact on your work — and it’s one of those things that once you understand it, you start seeing it absolutely everywhere. Some of you
How to Create Visual Excitement With Colour Read More »
Painting Tips & Mindset Why Most Artists Start a Painting in the Wrong Place If your paintings ever feel stiff or overwhelming before you’ve even started — I know why. Free Download Get the guide that goes with this video — From Copying to Creating: 5 Steps Towards Art That Feels Genuinely Yours Get the
Why Most Artists Start a Painting in the Wrong Place Read More »
One of my absolute favourite subjects to paint is the sky. Always has been. When I went travelling when I was younger, I spent most of my time with my camera pointed upwards. I have hundreds and hundreds of photos of skies, taken all over the place, and I still look back through them for
Painting Dramatic Skies — and Why I Can’t Get Enough of Them Read More »
I’ve been busy painting portraits over the past few weeks and I absolutely love it. There is something about working in a series that gives you a real deep dive into a subject, and portraits are no exception. When it comes to painting portraits, or any subject really, it’s never about copying what you see.
Three New Portraits and What I Was Really Trying to Say Read More »
There’s a misconception that portraits are the hardest subject, but in all honesty they really aren’t. It’s just about looking at shapes, understanding value and layering like every other subject. The same principles you use to paint a landscape or a flower apply to faces too. When you squint at a portrait reference, what do
The Portrait Myth: Why Faces Aren’t as Hard as You Think Read More »
I see it all the time in my classes. A student sits down, excited and ready to paint. They look at their reference image, pick up a small brush, and start painting… details. The highlights on the water. The individual flowers. The texture on a tree trunk. And I gently have to stop them and
The Biggest Mistake New Painters Make (And How to Fix It) Read More »
As we step into the festive season, there’s something wonderful about painting something a bit different. This year, I painted Santa’s boots warming by the fire, and honestly, I had such fun with it. My girls have already declared this one needs to come out every Christmas now! But beyond the festive joy, this painting
Bringing Back the Vibrant: Why Glazing Changes Everything Read More »
Have you ever stepped back from a painting and felt like something was missing, even though you couldn’t quite put your finger on what? Often, the answer lies in something we don’t talk about enough: mark making. The Repetition Trap When we’re focused on capturing a subject, it’s so easy to fall into a pattern.
The Power of Mark Making: Why Variety Transforms Your Paintings Read More »
There’s something incredibly freeing about taking a painting you’ve already created and giving it a whole new life. That’s exactly what I’m doing in today’s video, transforming an acrylic painting on paper with the pure, vibrant pigment of soft pastels. I absolutely love working with mixed media because it opens up so many creative possibilities.
Acrylic to Soft Pastel Play: Adding Vibrant Pops of Colour Read More »
This week I decided it’s been a while since I painted outside – and there’s nothing quite like it.I got my pochade box out and stepped into the garden. When we moved into our house just before lockdown, our garden was nothing but mud. I had so much fun ‘painting’ it with colour – planting
Step Into the Garden with Your Paintbrush Read More »
I’ve just finished a new abstract landscape and I wanted to share a little bit about it with you. It was inspired by all the playing and exploring I’ve been doing lately for my new mixed media workshop inside Brush Flow. I’ve been encouraging my students to experiment — and push the boundaries a little.
New Abstract Landscape Read More »
Now, I’ve always been a bit of an experimental artist. I love pushing the boundaries of colour, trying out new marks, and diving deep into the joy of play. But I’ll be honest with you… I’ve never really been a dedicated sketchbook artist. I mean, I’ve bought every sketchbook under the sun—big ones, tiny ones,
To Sketchbook or Not… That Is the Question Read More »
Yesterday was one of those quiet little gifts of a day. My eldest went off to her first football match with her dad — full of excitement and team spirit — while I took my youngest down to the beach for a bit of calm. It was just the two of us, the soft sound
Just a Little Glimpse – The Art of Cropping Read More »
Every now and then, a painting just needs a bit of space. In this video, I’m revisiting a piece I started a while ago but didn’t quite finish at the time. Rather than rushing it, I gave it time… and now I’m ready to bring it back to life with some fresh eyes and a
Giving a Painting a Second Chance Read More »
Let’s talk about something that every artist goes through – the messy middle. You know that part. The beginning feels exciting – you’ve got this clear vision, you’re feeling inspired, your brush is moving effortlessly and it all feels full of promise. But then… somewhere in the middle, things start to feel wobbly. The magic
The Messy Middle of a Painting Read More »
This is one of the trickiest questions when it comes to painting: how do you actually know when it’s done? It’s so easy to keep going, adding more detail, tweaking this and that—until suddenly, you’ve lost that fresh, expressive quality and everything feels overworked. Sound familiar? I’ve been there plenty of times. But over the
How to Know When a Painting is Finished Read More »
As we near the conclusion of our journey through the Elements of Art, we’ve explored Line, Shape, Colour, Value, and Texture. This week, we’re focusing on an element that brings three-dimensionality to art: Form. Form transforms flat shapes into lifelike creations. Whether you’re drawing, painting, or sculpting, understanding form is key to making your artwork
The Elements of Art: Exploring Form Read More »
As we continue our journey through the Elements of Art, we’ve explored Line, Shape, and Colour, all critical components of creating impactful artwork. This week, we’re focusing on Value, perhaps the most fundamental element when it comes to defining light, shadow, and form. Understanding value allows us to bring depth and dimension to our work,
The Elements of Art: Exploring Value Read More »
Last week, we dove into Shape—a fundamental building block of art that helps define objects, create harmony, and evoke meaning. This week, we’re moving into a more vibrant realm: Colour. One of my favourite elements. Colour is one of the most powerful tools you can use. It can influence mood, communicate emotion, and guide the
The Elements of Art: Exploring Colour Read More »
Last week, we began our journey through the Elements of Art with Line, the building block that brings movement, focus, and emotion to a piece. Today, we’re diving into the next element: Shape. Shapes are all around us—in nature, architecture, and artwork and they serve as the foundation of composition. By understanding how to use
The Elements of Art: Exploring Shape Read More »
Already Signed Up for the Guide? If you haven’t had a chance to read the guide yet, just check your emails and search for ‘Michelle Gibbs’—you’ll find it waiting for you. Don’t Have the Guide? Click below and I’ll send it to you. I’d like the guide
An Exciting Painting Journey Awaits Read More »
True or false: The more you paint, the better you will become? The answer is both true and false. Let’s start with false. It’s false in the sense that if you keep painting without addressing your mistakes or truly understanding the key elements of painting, you might find yourself stuck in a cycle, repeating the same errors over and
The More I Paint The Better I’ll Become: True or False? Read More »
Try adjusting your midtones! A slight tweak in this area can make a huge difference in creating contrast and clarity, helping your colours shine without overwhelming the composition. Experiment with shifting the midtones up or down to see the immediate impact—it’s an easy fix that can take your work from flat to full of depth.
Adjust your Midtones! Read More »
As artists, we’ve all faced the dilemma of wanting to explore a wide range of colours without buying an overwhelming number of paint tubes. What if I told you that you could achieve the perfect Dioxazine Purple, Permanent Violet Dark, and Teal with just a few basic colours in your collection? In this post, I’ll
How to Mix 3 Essential Convenience Colours Read More »
Ok, I’m not perfect, and I certainly don’t pretend to be. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been painting—every day’s a school day. So, let me share with you why I’m going to start this painting all over again… As you know, I’m a huge advocate for painting loose and bold, focusing on eliminating detail.
A Confession About This Painting Read More »
I love acrylics for lots of reasons including their versatility, vibrant colours, and quick drying times. I can sometimes be an impatient painter! However, I’ve learned through experience that there are a few common pitfalls that can affect your artwork. These are mistakes I learnt to avoid over the years. They are mistakes I often
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Acrylics Read More »
Landscapes are a favourite subject for many artists including myself, but capturing the true beauty of nature can be challenging. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter, there are always ways to enhance your work. Here are my four top tips that can help you instantly improve your landscape paintings. I’ve also provided examples
4 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Landscape Paintings Read More »
Adding a Ground Colour One technique I love using is adding a ground colour to my canvas. This method not only helps eliminate the stark whiteness of the canvas or board but also adds a unique vibrancy to my work. By choosing a ground colour, I set a tonal base that can peek through the
How to add Vibrancy to your Paintings Read More »
Starting a new painting often comes with grand visions of how it will turn out. However, as the process unfolds, you may find that something isn’t quite right. This realisation can be frustrating, especially after investing significant time and effort. The dilemma then becomes: should you keep going and hope the issue resolves itself, or
When and How to Make Bold Changes Read More »
Today I wanted to share with you the process I took with this painting. Step 1 I began by adding a ground colour of Alizarin Crimson and Hansa Yellow, creating a warm undertone that contrasts with the green landscape. This foundational layer adds depth and vibrancy to the painting. Step 2 Using a greyed purple,
Landscape – My Process Read More »
When I’m working on a painting, one of the things I always think about is how to create a focal point. This is the spot in the artwork where I want to draw the viewer’s eye first. Creating a focal point is like giving a visual cue to the viewer, guiding them through the story
Creating a Focal Point in Your Art Read More »
When I paint a subject, I often like to create a blend between the subject and the background, so they are almost intertwined. I find it can add excitement and energy to your painting. This technique, often referred to as soft edges, involves blurring the edges of your subject and merging it with the background
Blurring the Edges: Integrating Your Subject with the Background Read More »
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