This week was a little bit easier for me which is always better for those who come to class, as they get more of my time and the extra attention – simple as that. Anyone who feels they may need more than advice and short help can always book me in for a private session. There was also no evening life drawing this week, so Kevin got a nice cooked dinner as well. (I may have spoken too soon, Saturday was packed!).

My week almost always starts with my private practice. Some students do occasionally come to paint with me but they know I am quite protective of my personal time and decide not to interrupt me while I am painting. I take short breaks and go to look at their work during those times.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are the days I try to fit in my personal painting and all the other necessary distractions such as PC work, marketing, doctors, art material shopping and so on. How nice it would be to have a personal assistant who takes all the life trivia away so that I could just paint. This is the dream of many artists, I believe. Dreaming aside, at the moment I am working on a large portrait for a major competition. And whilst I am having fun, time flies by and Thursdays seem to come a bit too fast! But never mind, since all I do is about art, I feel very blessed.

Let’s look at some highlights of the time with my students this week.

Emilia is working on a contemporary semi-abstract painting using oils. This is her second painting and the freeform suits her personality. Ros put the finishing touches on her seascape today.

Barbara may be a slow creator but at the end it is always lovely work. Dympna is not slow, just a perfectionist!

A triple vision of Cathy! I must be getting tired. An excellent portrait, Sarath!

There are several new students who are discovering the importance of canvas preparation. They are learning to plan their painting process in a logical way ensuring that the work will be moving successfully forward, rather then back and forth and continuously fixing it thereafter.

If everyone can memorise and implicate the seven elements to successful painting they will be already way ahead and just need to practice to make it perfect.

1. Idea, 2. Composition, 3. Drawing, 4. Value, 5. Colour, 6. Edges, 7. Texture

Obviously all the creations have to start with an IDEA. Think about what you like to express and have some emotional attachment to the subject matter. It helps if you choose your own photo from the places you have visited and liked. Where do you get your ideas? They are all around you and everywhere. Keep your mobile or camera handy and snap away at anything you fancy – one day it will come in handy.

Jen finished an excellent painting of her much-loved Oscar. This painting has a great balance of palette knife and brush, very good composition, unmistakable focal point and great energy.

Everyone is getting ready for next week’s demonstration I will be conducting at each of the classes – “Painting in the style of artist Erin Hanson”. The idea is not to copy someone’s painting but learn from it. Choosing a brighter palette and a simpler but effective composition is the way to go. For the inspiration I will choose some image from my Kimberley photo collection. Three paintings in three days! Lets see how I fare next week.

A Week In My Art Studio || 26–31 March 2019