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 »
The biggest frustration I hear from students is around colour. Muddy mixes, lack of contrast, not being able to get the right green, but quite often it’s not the colour at all, it’s the marks. I’m decorating my bedroom at the moment, and I wanted something calm for the wall. A bit of a Monet
The Simple Change That Makes a Painting Feel Alive Read More »
After 14 years of teaching, the question I get asked most is this: “How do I find my style?” It’s the biggest goal most people have when they start painting. And this post might feel a bit controversial, or leave you thinking “oh, that’s disappointing.” If I created a course called “How To Find Your
Why “finding your style” is the wrong goal 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 got back from Tunisia yesterday at 2am, thanks to a flight delay, for my sister’s upcoming 50th birthday. It was just me, my mum, my two sisters, a family friend and my niece. A small group, a lovely few days, and a camera that barely left my hand. I always take a lot of
A Weekend in Tunisia, Painted in Light 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 »
Sir David Attenborough is one of my favourite people on earth. If I ever get asked that dinner party question, you know the one, who would you invite if you could choose anyone, my answer is always David Attenborough. Without hesitation. I grew up watching his programmes and have been inspired by his work ever
Painting Underwater: A New Series Inspired by Sir David Attenborough Read More »
Today I want to talk about something I honestly think is one of the fastest ways to improve your painting skills — and it’s something I talk to my students about all the time. Let me start with a little story. When I first started painting, I painted big. And I still do from time
The Quickest Way to Improve Your Painting Skills 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 »
My daughter Sienna turned nine this weekend, and honestly, I can barely believe it. Where does the time go? The previous weekend we were sat around the kitchen table doing arts and crafts together, one of our absolute favourite ways to spend an afternoon. I’d decided to do a bit of painting, and she looked
Painting my Daughter Sienna Read More »
I’ve been working on this abstract landscape in my studio and I wanted to share something with you that I do all the time in my paintings. It’s about making your colours really sing. It’s All About Placement When I’m painting, I love adding little accents and pops of colour throughout the piece. But here’s
Make Your Colours Pop with This Simple Trick 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 »
There’s a moment in every painting where everything clicks – the light, the mood, the story – and suddenly it comes alive. You know that feeling, don’t you? When you step back from your easel and something has shifted. Your painting isn’t just paint on canvas anymore – it’s breathing, it’s glowing, it’s telling a
That Magical Moment When Your Painting Comes Alive Read More »
Having been painting and teaching for so many years I hear this all the time: “Why do my colours always look dull?” Trust me, I’ve been there too, so I wanted to share why this might be happening and how to fix it. It’s All About Context First things first, the colours you place next
Why Do My Colours Always Look Dull? Read More »
Isn’t it magical how a painting can teach us so much, just by looking closely? When I teach, we dive into master paintings and break down what’s going on and why they feel so powerful. Today I’m sharing a piece I did some time ago. This sunset scene might look bold and expressive (and it
Five things you can learn from this painting Read More »
Here are two close-ups from paintings I’ve recently finished. I wanted to take a moment to talk about mark making — and why varying our marks is such a simple but powerful way to bring more energy and life into a painting. If we keep everything the same — same brush size, same direction, same
Variation in Marks – Why It Matters Read More »
Colour harmony is when colours just feel right together. They support each other, they don’t fight, and they bring a calm or exciting feeling to your work — depending on how you use them. In painting, this is such a useful thing to understand. It’s what helps your colours belong together, even if your brushwork
How to create colour harmony 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 »
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 »
One of the most exciting parts of painting is deciding where your focal point will be. It’s the heart of the piece—the place where your viewer’s eye lands first and lingers the longest. Sometimes, it’s obvious. Other times, it takes a bit of thought. In this painting, the drama of the sky was calling to
The Power of Sky and Light: Capturing Mood Read More »
One of my favourite things to do before diving into a new painting is to sit and spend some time working out the colour scheme I’m going to use. I don’t paint ‘reality’ when it comes to colours—you’ve probably guessed that by now! Some subjects just seem to come alive with unexpected colours, and it
Colour Confidence: A Simple Hack That Makes Painting Easier Read More »
As we conclude our journey through the Elements of Art, we’ve explored Line, Shape, Colour, Value, Texture, and Form. This week, we’re diving into the final element: Space. Space is the element that defines how objects relate to one another and to their surroundings. Mastering space allows you to create depth, balance, and perspective, transforming
The Elements of Art: Exploring Space 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, Colour, and Value. This week, we’re diving into a tactile element that adds richness and dimension to artwork: Texture. Texture can turn a flat surface into something that feels alive, engaging the viewer’s senses and creating a deeper connection to the
The Elements of Art: Exploring Texture 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 »
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 »
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 »
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