Want to paint more in 2018? Feeling stuck and need to explore new painting methods? Perhaps you have never painted in oils or acrylics before and want to learn the essential basics? You will cover all of these and more on my two-day painting workshops. 

Here is what we will be doing:

Without light the landscape painting cannot exist. Artists have struggled to depict light for centuries. This challenge has both frustrated and delighted artists the world over.  When we see a painting that captures a little of this mysterious quality we can celebrate the beauty of nature. But how to convey the illusion of light with only humble pigments and a brush?

Looking for painting classes for all levels? From short courses, beginner's foundation courses to intermediate level. There is a good chance that you can find what you are looking for at my revamped Online Art Academy. Starting at only $5.99 for a short course to the flagship Learn to Paint With Impact.

Benefits to You

1. Learn in your own time
2. Full step-by-step approach
3. Watch Videos anytime. Makes keeping up then re-watching lessons a breeze
4. Download assignments and learn by doing
5. Convenient on your time and pocket

Lifetime Access
It is a fact that we learn at our own pace. You can view the course again six months later and pick up new bits of information. There is always something new because we become more receptive to new ideas with practice. You never miss out on this opportunity when you have access to my courses.

Affiliate Program
Do you know that when you enroll you are automatically eligible for my affiliate program? This means that you can earn a commission when your contact purchases a course using your unique affiliate code. Simply click on the Affiliate Program link on the course of your choice. Copy your affiliate code and add it to your promotions. You can earn 50% commission!

Frequent Updates
The courses are frequently updated as I do like to add new videos from time to time. We are always learning new things so why not share them? Members get these updates at no extra cost.
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To find out more about the Academy and the courses on offer click here.

The words "I would like to commission a painting" should be exciting to any artist. It is a compliment and a financial windfall. However commissions can go horribly wrong if the basics are not covered. Commissions are simply part of the artist's repetoire and come with their own unique challenges.

Here are a list of considerations for both artists and collectors:

Artists:

1. Do not be guided in your decision by money alone. Despite having the wolf camping outside your door it will not solve your problems if you accept a bad commission deal. You will only add to your troubles.
2. A commission is a relationship with a collector. It is not the trading of goods. The difference is huge and requires both parties to get to know each other. If this scares you then rather pass.
3. Communication is key. Ask the collector questions such as: the subject of the painting, what size the painting must be, where will it be displayed, framing requirements, which of your current works the collectors likes most. Also ask what the collector does not want. These will all give an indication of what the collector imagines your painting will look like. These basic questions will lead to more questions and clarity.
4. Personality Issues? Much as I would like to keep it all business it is not possible since painting has a strong emotional content for both parties. If there is a personality clash the whole deal will end badly. This can have a major negative effect on the artist's morale. Keep your eyes open for these issues early on so that you can pass on the job if uncomfortable.
5. Price:  This is often easily agreed upon, but needs to be sewn up properly. Put it in writing even if it is only recorded in emails with a written acceptance by the collector. Agree on price and a deposit (usually one-third up front nonrefundable). Negotiate if you must, but know in advance where your sticking point is. Do not undervalue yourself. Keep costs such as materials, delivery, framing and your time in mind. You do not want this to become a financial loss.
6. Progress: I like to keep collectors updated on progress. I do not send photos until near completion and finally upon completion. If the collector can view it in person then do a reveal and make it a fun occasion. It is at this point that you want to deliver and be paid in full too.
7. Payment: This is where things can get sticky. I suggest that delivery only take place once full payment is received. This is accepted practice, but you will find requests from collectors who want to take the painting on approval before making their mind up. Resist this as it can throw the entire deal into doubt. The painting is complete and you are entitled to full payment. Not payment in installments. Be strong!
8. Get Excited! Talk, share and have fun. Your vision and the collector's vision are beautiful things to talk about. Keep the entire process an enriching experience for both of you. 

Collectors:

1. Be Realistic: Unfortunately some art lovers are so moved by their favorite artist's work that they want a large painting or two. Both parties get caught up in the excitement of it all, but then price comes up and everything fizzles out. By having checked out the artist's other paintings and prices you will have an idea what the cost will be. Do some homework on this and it will help you negotiate without being embarassed. 
2. Know What You Want: Be prepared with the subject matter in mind. Reference photos in place and a good idea about size of the painting. Do not be shy about what you want painted and where it will be displayed. Yes we know that paintings need to match the decor sometimes. That is life.
3. Price: Without repeating myself be sure about the price and get this all confirmed in writing. Then stick to the deal.
4. Progress: Get an idea on duration of the project. Although things come up and there may be delays this should not add months to a project. Sometimes time is critical. Make this a point of the contract. Ask for updates, but do not nag the artist. Calls and texts every few hours will not help!
5. Have You Commissioned Work Before? Yes both artist and collector have track records. If you have commissioned art before then tell the artist. It will give the artist some comfort too. 
6. Share Your Vision: If you are new to the art world you may feel shy about opening up about your vision for the painting. Do not hold back. Artists should welcome your feelings as this will help them get into your psyche a bit. It will help with the painting as there is an emotional factor involved.
7. Any Issues Before Delivery? If there is a major issue with the completed project such as quality of work, materials or some departure from what was understood then try and resolve it amicably. Usually there would no be a big issue at such a late stage because each party did  their due dilligence. 

Commissions can be fun for artists and collectors. By taking a few common sense steps there should not be any problems, but rather the start of a beautiful relationship between artist and collector.

Any suggestions or points that you would like to add? Please leave a comment.

If you like to purchase original art at affordable prices then this news may seem silly. However for galleries that are struggling in these recessionary times this may be good news indeed. Art that is accessible, such as art in an impressionist style, can sell for good prices for both collector and gallery. It is OK to have art that is beautiful for the sake of beauty. You no longer have to grit your teeth at shock art, for instance, to impress your peers. Political art is one thing, but to grace your home? Perhaps not. 

If you are wondering about the quality of this art then rest assured. A high price does not guarantee good quality. Affordably priced art can be of the highest quality. Most artists are using top quality materials and do take their art very seriously. Any professional artist today will have to strive for producing excellent quality art to survive. High prices at auction has much more to do with provenance. Who owned the art work can hugely inflate auction prices.

The recent BBC documentary, What Makes Art Valuable?, provides a fascinating look into the high end art market. Watch the documentary below and be amazed by the prices and motivations behind the purchases of the top 10 most expensive paintings.

No doubt there will always be super wealthy collectors making up headline prices, but is there a change in sight? Will art be simply about art again? No price tags taking centre stage, but simply for the transcendence that art brings to artists and collectors alike? It is revealing that many art dealers and collectors in the above documentary rue the outrageous prices. Do these prices have any relationship to the art itself? You decide.

Collecting art is fun and I have never regretted purchasing a beautiful painting. I look at these paintings on a daily basis. It is a moment of peace that I am grateful for. I would not like to worry about market prices and insurance.

That would ruin the art. 

I was pleased with the outcome and the experience. However at 2 degrees celsius my brain reminded me that there a bottle of port indoors crying out for attention. All things considered it would have been rude to ignore its' plight so I decamped for a fireside seat and a glass of that which restores you.

I look forward to visiting this delightful village again - in the summer. Until then Cheers!

This new course launched on Udemy is intended to help artists wanting to start painting in oils for the first time. It will also help those artists struggling with oil painting although they have experience with acrylic painting. 

In this course I show these artists how to use acrylics to set a foundation for their painting before finishing the painting in oils. A full demonstration of the process is provided with over 80 minutes of video instruction. It is a course suitable for beginners too. Give it a try!

Photo references are an essential part of every artist's studio process. From recording scenes, step-by-step process or to record the finished work and much more. In this video I look at online software like www.pickmonkey.com to assess composition, value and colour of a reference for a potential painting.

I would not call myself old-school. I try to keep up with tech trends and I use many apps and other services. This website is evidence of that. However I do not even bother to set my cell phone. That is evidently something for my teenage son to do. The TV is the same too. I prefer talking to texting and Angry Birds makes me, well angry. I suppose I am approaching the scrap heap! Being an artist I also prefer to get my hands dirty and painting is blessedly unchanged. Or is it?

There are digital painters sporting tablets and apps with pride. Not to mention the digital photo art that is so popular. Perhaps the biggest groundshift has been in how we learn. Online learning has exploded globally and nobody is exempt. Old and young and all in between are learning online. This digital democracy has brought top quality education into posh mansions and tin shacks alike. I look at my children. They have access to regular school yet find their most stimulating lessons on You Tube or some other website like Udemy or Lynda. Not to mention the mass of websites by experts on whatever topic you may require.

Certificate from a famous university? No problem. Try Coursera. Want to learn java and perhaps some photography skills for fun? Try Udemy.com. Children struggling with maths? Try Khan Academy. All well and good, but what about art? Can you really learn a hands-on skill like painting online? I know many old hands scoff at this notion. I have received sceptical looks from some artists north of 50 who think it is silly to learn online. They still believe that a mentor with a few students is the way to go. Something like in the Renaissance days I think. 

The fact is that digital learning is essential for artists today. If you have a desire to teach art then online learning is also becoming hard to ignore. Let us start with You Tube. Once you get past the rubbish there is a treasure trove of excellent teaching on art techniques. Then try Pinterest to research art for inspiration or to find excellent quality images of masterworks. These are essential to learn from.

Of course there are DVD lessons that can be purchased and downloaded in HD quality. No more waiting for delivery. No customs duties and so forth. The hard part remains actually doing the work! Hang on there are courses you can take to teach you how to maximize your time. If you have a moment that is. 

I have been impressed with Udemy.com. A website that hosts paid and free courses on just about any topic. Whether you want a certified course in computer programming or to learn business skills or have some fun learning a new hobby this website has it all. So inspired was I with the general high quality of courses that I created my own course, Learn To Paint With Impact, that was launched a few days ago.

This experience entailed a new learning curve for me. There is a big difference between giving a workshop to students in person to facing a camera instead. In many ways I had to rethink my subject to convey the ideas better. This helped me too. Teaching is a learning process for both teacher and student after all.

There are massive benefits to learning art online too. Costs are low. Cut out travel, time and related costs of attending a workshop and you have saved a ton. Plus the convenience of learning when you want to, pressing pause and rewind when you need to check something are also handy. On the downside you do need to be a self-starter and get the course done on your own steam. There is also the practical side of art, which is why I have a series of assignments to encourage practical work. Social interaction? Get a friend to join with you or an art club for that matter. The nice thing with Udemy is that instructors can give their own discounts to groups which is a big plus for teacher and student.

Whether you want to learn art or teach it the internet has changed the landscape forever. There is opportunity for all and excuses are hard to come by. Of course doing the work is the essential ingredient. That is something that should still please the old-timers like myself.


You can read more about my course, Learn To Paint With Impact here. Also check out the special offer for newsletter subscribers.

April is full of public holidays. It is also a time of significant cultural and religious observance around the world. I know many professionals grumble about the disruption to business. However I prefer this time of year to the annual end of year madness. We all need a break and a quiet moment with family. The weather is great too. So take a a breather.

A perfect time to get the paints out and have a dabble. What a stress breaker this is. I see many folk out jogging or cycling early in the mornings. Exercise is important for stress relief, but I can assure you that if the idea of pounding the pavement does not appeal then try painting. It is yoga for the mind and spirit. If you are looking for something different then how about taking your paints outdoors. Perhaps the garden or on your long weekend holiday spot and paint. Watercolor journals are so easy to take with and enjoy on holiday.

So put away the briefcase for a few days, throw the tie into the closet and get the paint brushes out. If you have children who are bored with TV (they all are) then get them to join you. Is is amazing to see what children come up with when there is no pressure. Such innate talent! 

Have a great time on your holidays!