Artist's Back to Basics

by M.A Hunt “In spite of everything I shall rise again: I shall take up my pencil which I have forsaken in my great discouragement and I will go on with my drawing.” Vincent Van Gogh What an amazing invention the pencil is. We take it for granted, bu

with Leonie Norton Perspective is all around us. It is in the landscape, in buildings and clouds in the sky. Creating depth is an essential part of any landscape scene. Unless you understand the simple principles, your work will appear flat. Perspect

“The only time I feel alive is when I’m painting.” Vincent van Gogh Imagine a product designed by Australian artists for Australian artists. This concept is what the Roymac brand prides itself on. Roymac creates colour products that you will love to

By Brett A. Jones “The greatest mistake most people make that genuinely want to draw (or paint) is to dive in without adequate (or any in the majority of cases) mental and/or practical preparation.” So far we have explored being able to confidently s

By Guenter W. Barth My home and studio is at Leonay, an outer Sydney suburb. I was born in East Germany. My wife and I arrived in Australia in November 1960; and in 1966 we moved into a new house at Leonay where we have lived ever since. I have had n

“Most of the problems we face with our brushwork can be solved by knowing what you want your brush to do and then knowing the principles well.” In the last issue, we discussed how many of us don’t really have an inkling of what is possible with our b

By Leonie Norton A very light wash is applied to all areas of the painting. The pencil transfer lines should be light. Once watercolour is painted over it cannot be removed and is noticeable in pale coloured areas. All areas of the painting should b

by M.A Hunt In the last issue, we looked at the importance of light and the ways in which you can use the lighting in your studio to enhance your painting. In this issue, I would like to discuss the fundamental question of space. Not everyone has the

By Phil Frankel Greetings! Human beings learn by comparison (last time I touched something red, I burnt my finger). I frequently question my actions, as well as other people’s, in a non critical and non judgemental way. I do this so that I can clearl

By Brett A. Jones Ok, in the last article we got through three of the main hand tools necessary to draw in freehand. To re-cap these are: Staedtler Mars Lumograph 2B drafting pencils, a stock of vinyl erasers cut into strips and wrapped in paper, and

By James Luck My life began in Sydney, in 1966. I now live and work in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. I have had my home here for the past 29 years. “As far back as I can remember, I have always painted and drawn birds and animals.” I pa