Did you know that no matter which medium you use, a large percentage of the success of the work, is determined before you put ‘paint to paper’? Surprised? It’s true. I’ll tell you why and how you too can create even more captivating artwork:

Two key elements in the success of a piece are planning and observation. Let’s deal with planning first:

I call this creating an ‘intelligent composition’. Without it – no matter how skilful you are with the brush/pencil, your painting will be all about technique and method. It will be missing an important ingredient. What you really want is to create a ‘feeling’ and an atmosphere - an emotion. You want your work to stand out from the rest and to captivate the viewers.

Whether we are watercolourists, oil, pastel or porcelain painters – we all strive to capture that illusive moment – you know the one…the moment when you spy the dappled sunlight illuminating an elegant rose, or watch it glisten as it touches a dewdrop. Whatever your subject, you can capture so much when you have taught yourself to observe.

Observation teaches you to take note of things you would otherwise overlook. For instance, have you seen that magical moment of wonderful expression – the one that shows years of wisdom on a characterful and aged face? That’s what we are talking about. Whatever medium you choose, there are a few things I can share with you that will help your art convey that special ‘je ne sais quois’.