Phil has created wonderful atmosphere in this painting. I like the treatment of the trees. Using negative shapes, he has cut out the images, by painting the background inbetween the trees. The branches on the top left can be improved by using a brush called a rigger. Turn the paper, and working from the bottom of the branch to the top, as you drag the brush, the pressure on the brush will be less and you will make thinner branches. Also, always make sure the branches connect to each other and are not hanging in the air. Well done!
Watercolour landscape
August 26th, 2010Hope’s flowers
August 17th, 2010
This is a photo taken from a framed painting, so it is not very clear, but I like the treatment of the flowers, grouped together. I like to use a bit of the complimentary colour - purple, in the shadows to make the colours vibrate, and it is a good shadow colour as well. Well done!
georgie’s squirrel
August 17th, 2010What I like about this is that
you have achieved a good feeling of the form
and the treatment of the squirrel’s
fur is good. Maybe finish it off by putting it
on a log of wood, so that it is sitting on something, with shadows underneath it.
Use your computer as an art aide
August 17th, 2010
I always take a photo of my work and get it onto my computer, then take the colour away - to judge the tonal values.
Barbara’s latest
August 17th, 2010
Barbar used mixed media to capture
this amusing study of a judge. I love
the use of coffee granules and wax
crayons! Well done!
Tiger painted with no brushes!
August 17th, 2010I was caught out at a demo with no brushes -
so here’s what i painted with a sponge,
plastic spoon and a lot of luck!
(I finished it off a few days later!)

Look no brushes!
Paul’s canal
August 12th, 2009
This is a view of a canal in the UK and Paul has captured the atmosphere of the dank grey day, with the buildings on the quayside. The reflections in the water could be a little darker and that’s the problem with painting in watercolour. When the paint is wet - it looks darker, but as it dries , it dries lighter
Barbara G’s three ladies
August 12th, 2009
Barbara has worked using one colour and explored all the different tones in this painting - this is the best way to develop confidence when learning how to paint. She could now take this painting into colour, and use it as a guide. Tones in colours are difficult to achieve and this is step one on the journey.
Barbara’s musician
August 12th, 2009
Barbara used a wonderful wet mixed mediaapproach to this painting. I like the free easy style and the splashes of coffee granules for extra texture! The line drawing pulls out the details - do some more in this style Barbara!
Jennie’s waterlillies
June 3rd, 2009
Jennie mastered using Texture
paste and has painted wonderful
waterdrops of her lilies. I like
the way she has used dark
colours in the background which
emphasises the flowers

