I’m working on a new body of work at the moment. Abstract landscapes, mostly in oils, and a lot of them are light. I filmed a little studio session while I was working on one of them, and I found myself talking through everything that goes on in my head while I paint. “Does this […]
“Does my painting look good?” is the wrong question Read More »
Join my free workshop on 29th September 2026 Balance in a painting doesn’t mean symmetry. A lot of painters hear the word balance and assume both sides need to match, but that’s not it at all. Matching sides often make a painting feel static and flat. Balance is something else entirely. Think of a seesaw.
The Tiny Change that Fixes an Unbalanced Painting Read More »
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 remember the day I sold my first painting on my own website. Before that I’d been selling on eBay for about four years. The listings finished on a Sunday evening because that was the best day to do it. I was much younger then and I’d often be out on a Sunday, so I’d
What 20+ Years Selling My Art Has Taught Me 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 »
Today I want to talk about something that came up again and again when I asked you what you struggle with most — and it wasn’t composition, or colour, or knowing where to start. It was confidence. That feeling of not being good enough. And I want you to know: you are not alone in
You Are Not Alone in This 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 »
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 »
Happy New Year! I’m writing to you from my dining room table and I have to tell you, it feels absolutely wonderful. You see, something shifted for me recently. With two young children running around, I can’t always escape to my studio like I used to. So I did something that felt both practical and
Make 2026 Your Creative Year Read More »
Why Your “Failed” Paintings Are Actually Your Best Teachers I need to be honest with you about something. The other day, I spent a couple of hours on a painting and it was absolutely awful. The colours felt completely off, the composition didn’t work, and everything about it just fell flat. And here’s the thing
Permission to Create Bad Art Read More »
Have you ever woken up just not feeling it? That was me this morning. Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to create finished pieces that we forget the magic happens in the simple moments of play. Today I’m sharing something really close to my heart – how colour mixing can be your creative
Not Feeling Creative Today? Try This Instead Read More »
Are you putting pressure on yourself to “find your style” as an artist? After 20+ years of painting, I’m here to tell you why you need to stop rushing and start embracing the journey instead. In this video, I share why: ✨ Your artistic voice develops naturally through play and experimentation ✨ You don’t need
Stop Rushing to Find Your Style – Why the Journey Matters More Read More »
Vanessa’s Incredible Journey I wanted to share the story of Vanessa. Vanessa joined my weekly in-person class around 9 years ago, and we worked this out the other day because I was pregnant with my eldest Sienna when she joined, and she’s going to be 9 in November. When Vanessa first joined, she had very
From Dining Room Table to Dream Art Studio 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 »
I’ve worked with thousands of professional artists over the years. In my previous business, which I set up and ran for over 17 years. I worked with artists from all over the world, helping them sell their work. And you know what? The ones who sold the most weren’t always the ones with the ‘best’
Five Ways to Grow your Artist Practice Read More »
We’ve all been there. You sit down to paint, brush in hand, but nothing flows. The colours feel dull, the ideas feel forced, and the excitement you usually have just isn’t there. Creative blocks happen to us all, but they don’t have to stop you from creating. Here are some ways to push through and
10 Ways to Push Through Creative Blocks 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 »
As an artist who has been painting for over 20 years, I know a thing or two about the struggles of ‘artist block’ in fact it’s more common than you might think. Artist block isn’t just painters, it could be writers, musicians and anyone in the creative field and it might even strike when you
From Stuck to Inspired: Overcoming Artist’s Block Read More »
Stop these today, and you’ll instantly become a much better creative – I guarantee you! 1. Comparing yourself to others I’ve been an artist for over 20 years, and I had to stop myself from doing this because it would have slowly driven me mad. There will always be someone better than you; that’s life.
5 things that will kill your creativity if you don’t change them Read More »
Learning to paint can be a challenging and rewarding journey. It is a creative outlet that allows us to express ourselves, unwind and explore our imaginations. But it’s important to remember that the process of learning to paint is just as important as the finished product. As adults, we often become too focused on achieving
Play, Experiment & Enjoy the Process Read More »
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