Determined

Z is for Zentangle

Zentangle is a tradename for meditative doodling. Grab a piece of paper, a pen and just draw. It has become a well defined artform with accredited Zentangle teachers, books, websites and groups of people focussed on this fun and relaxing art.

Read More

Y is for Yarn and a Yelp for help

Do you remember string painting in primary school? Where with a lot of glue, string and mess, you make a picture out of gluing string to paper in patterns. If I recall correctly it was sometimes used to create a print as the string created a raised surface.

Read More
Finding inspiration

U is for Unique

For a long time I used to look at other artists’ work and be intimidated, particularly if they were very good at what they did. I’m talking those artists that seem to be able to get their realism so real a photograph couldn’t do a better job. While I know I can draw quite well, there is no way I could do the great work that some artists can.

Read More
Swirl stencil texture

T is for Texture

One technique I’ve found very inspirational is to create a background or texture, just slap in down, and create a piece of work from that. Half the challenge is taken once you have something on the canvas/page and textures are fantastic for doing that.

Read More
Mermaid 2 sketch

Mermaid II

Do you remember the mermaid sketch I did a while back? Its intention was a layout sketch for a painting for my eldest daughter. Unfortunately, eldest daughter had some reservations about the composition. The octopus got his marching orders and a number of other things weren’t what she wanted, so I’ve revised the sketch, changed its focus and taken a great deal of art direction as to subjects and colours from said eldest daughter.

Read More