Here to Ignite, Encourage and Inspire your Creative Flame
‘Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.’
– Johan Wolfgang Von Goethe
Please note: some items are repeated for the benefit of new subscribers. Thank you 😊
Happy New Year for this coming Sunday my friends!
Not a lot to report as this week, between Christmas and the New Year is always something of a mystery lol. How many of us have to check our phones just to find out what day it is? lol.
Today I received some watercolour paper that I haven’t tried before, so I’m looking forward to experimenting with it – Paul Rubens Sparkling Watercolour Paper 10.63 x 7.67”, 2 Pack, 40 Sheets, 140 lb/300 GSM, 100% Cotton, Hot Pressed & Acid-Free Sketch Paper for Watercolour Painting, Sketching, Acrylic, Gouache Yes you read that correctly ‘Sparking’ watercolour paper! And it really does have a sparkle to it! Ooooo loads of ideas for this paper, including next year’s Christmas card design. Let’s face it, with the year we’ve all had who doesn’t need a little sparkle in their lives 😉
As well as sending out a newsletter today, yep this one, I’ve also posted a new video over on my YouTube channel that perfectly fits a subscriber’s question (see the section towards the bottom of this newsletter).
The first date, Saturday 21st January, has now been confirmed by WWT Martin Mere for the start of next year’s ‘wildlife-inspired’ art workshops. Will let you all know as soon as I hear from them regarding the rest of next year’s dates:
Wildlife Art Workshops for 2023
£60 per person
| Date | Medium | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| January 21st 2023 | Watercolour | Red Fox in Snow |
| February 25th 2023 | Pastel | TBC |
| March 25th 2023 | Watercolour | TBC |
| April 22nd 2023 | Pastel | TBC |
| May 20th 2023 | Watercolour | TBC |
| June 24th 2023 | Pastel | TBC |
| August 26th 2023 | Watercolour | TBC |
| September 23rd 2023 | Pastel | TBC |
| October 21st 2023 | Watercolour | TBC |
| November 25th 2023 | Pastel | TBC |
| December TBC | Watercolour | TBC |
Ten new dates for 2023 have been pencilled in, now waiting for Martin Mere Wetland Centre to confirm these. One running each month, with the exception of July and December. Workshops will alternate between Watercolour and Pastel, but feel free to bring along any art medium you wish if the subject is something you would like to create from. All workshops are suitable for beginners. More information can be found over on our exclusive Art Workshop page on the Martin Mere website as well as on the Workshop page of my website. If participants would like further mediums or subjects added then extra dates can be slotted in to suit. So if your passion is coloured pencil or you love acrylic or oil painting then just let me know.
Diary Dates
| Patching’s Art Festival | 13th – 16th July 2023 |
| Exhibition of Wildlife Art | 28th – 30th July 2023 |
| North West Birdwatching Festival | TBC |
| Art Safari in Uganda | 16th February – 3rd March 2023 |
Patching’s Art Festival – an international four day art event celebrating the best in art & craft. Open to all there’s something for everyone, the chance to meet over 250 artists, a lot of which will be demonstrating (including me demonstrating for Caran d’Ache). Plus ‘hands-on’ workshops and art material offers all set in 60 acres of beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside.
Exhibition of Wildlife Art – ‘an exciting three day show featuring the work of some of the world’s most talented wildlife artists. The biggest and most successful, open selling, exhibition of Wildlife Art outside of London. All exhibited work is for sale and many artist demonstrate whilst there.’ I’ll be demonstrating whilst exhibiting there this year and would love for you to drop by and say hello.
North West Birdwatching Festival – Open at 8am, start your day by watching the spectacle of thousands of wild geese leave the roost before heading for breakfast in the Martin Mere restaurant. Over the two day there will be an array of guest speakers and exhibitors, artists and photographers including photography workshops, guided reserve walks, and more. I’ll be exhibiting and demonstrating throughout the weekend and would love you to drop by and say hello.
Art Safari in Uganda – a two week tour taking in some of Uganda’s best national parks, optional gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, visiting a rhino sanctuary and so much more. With a maximum of 6 participants this art based safari ensures you’ll have all the natural world of Uganda has to offer, plus plenty of 1 to 1 guidance from me when you need it to enable you to capture all that you want on paper or canvas.
Subscriber Question
Q. How do I create depth in a painting?
A. Creating a sense of depth in a painting is much easier when incorporating a background. Remember that in cases where added depth is required use cool colours in the background and warm colours in the foreground where possible. Also think about detail – only detailing items in a part of a painting also creates a sense of depth. In the painting below (Fallow Deer in pastel) the background and foreground are out of focus, leaving the deer and surrounding midground in focus. Another technique is perspective – this is something I’ll pick up on in a later video, so stay tuned and watch this space.
I may not always have a video on my YouTube channel to go alongside a subscriber’s question, but when I do I’ll be sure to add it.
Okay folks that’s it for me today, short and sweet this time. Thank you once again, as always my friends, for spending some time with me today, and please feel free to leave a question or suggestion in the contact form below.
Let me once again take this opportunity in wishing you all a Happy New Year, I hope it’s a blessed & beautiful one for all! 😊
Wishing you all the best, until next time, as always, stay safe and stay creative, Kerry xXx
Questions & Suggestions welcomed
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