Seven years ago I was selected to enter a painting competition by Cox and Kings. They are the oldest travel company in the world, established in 1758. All the artists were given a selection of photographs of Morocco to work from. I chose one of El Fna Square Marrakech. Although the reference photograph I picked … Read more
Artist Support Pledge Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been selling specially selected paintings as part of the Artist Support Pledge. Today’s is a Painting of Tuscany. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many artists have found themselves without work, teaching, technical support and gallery work. Exhibitions and sales have disappeared. In an attempt to … Read more
Exhibitions During this period of social isolation, I am supporting the Artist Support Pledge. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many artists have found themselves without work, teaching, technical support and gallery work. Exhibitions and sales have disappeared. In an attempt to help alleviate some of this stress Martin Burrows has instigated the ARTIST SUPPORT PLEDGE … Read more
The Importance of Photography Even though my main artistic discipline has always been painting, photography has been an essential part of my creative process. For me, drawing and painting on location is a must. The time that it takes to absorb and capture a scene through observational drawing is always time well spent. However, you … Read more
Paintings of Italy One of the subjects I often get our guests on our Painting Holidays to have a go at is Painting an Olive Tree. The grounds of Chiesa del Carmine are full of them. They are not too difficult to draw compared to other subjects. It’s relatively easy for the guests to spend … Read more
In 2017 I received a commission to do a very large oil painting of the Angel of the North which you can read about in an earlier blog post. The Angel’s wings were coated with 22 carat gold leaf. My client loves his painting of the Gateshead Angel and once I’d hung it for him … Read more
In 2016 I was working on a number of painting projects in London. As I was walking along Piccadilly, enjoying the late afternoon sunlight I was struck by the wonderful contrast between the warm rays of sunlight catching the opposite side of the street, the cool shadows and the way the two were being connected by shoppers … Read more
We have just returned from another wonderful week in Umbria where we ran another Painting Holiday. Once again Chiesa del Carmine was the venue. For some of the guests it was their 3rd and 4th Painting Holiday in Italy with us and they have already re-booked for 2018 along with some our new guests this … Read more
I first started painting on gold leaf in 2009 when I was working on a large painting commission. As part of the project I worked on some small boards about 19″x 15″ which were primed with gold leaf. I used these to produce some experimental paintings, one of which was a portrait of my wife Susan. … Read more
Visiting Florence Susan and I first visited San Gimignano in February 1999. We were staying in Florence for several days and having seen San Gimignano featured on a holiday programme, we decided to go there for the day. A local bus took us to nearby Poggibonsi then after a short wait, another bus to our destination, the … Read more