Tips

1. Allow some time before actual start to look at your model and absorb as much of the information that’s
in front of you as you can, the painting will get easier.
2. Start with large shapes and don’t let the painting process pull you in for detail, before the large form
looks like the image in front of you when you squint. It is sooo much easier to correct the
drawing/painting while in the embryo form.
3. Try my method of showing the detail by describing it’s negative shapes (area that surrounds it), it
looks much more painterly and lets you use those BIG shapes, it’s fun, trust me on that.
4. With pastels as with oil paints an old, well proven method of working from dark to light is still the best.
When working with pastel your touch should be light as a feather initially and get stronger as you
progress to the light colours, with oils, one starts with lean dark colours, using their beautiful
transparency and progresses to light with thicker paint. If it was good enough for the masters it is
good enough for me.
5. Try not to set your aim too high, it’s a great disappointment if you don’t reach this point, allow time for
your progress. A step at a time.
6. I still believe that the basis for good visual art is good drawing skills, you don’t have to be another
Leonardo, nor Michelangelo but it helps immensely if you can sketch an idea. Would you be able to
dance without ability to walk first? If some of you are asking,”What if I just don’t want to dance what
if I WANT TO RUN?” Try sports not art.
7. And try not to abuse yourself, it rarely helps, but can stop you from trying.
8. Not every artist progresses in the same way, some go in leaps while others tip toe in a slow but steady
rhythm. Which one are you? I work intensely for a week or two and than I have to rest and start
getting momentum so to speak to be able to tackle next project. It is during the rest time that my art
evolves.
9. I always thought that if you have talent, you basically have made it… I couldn’t have been further from
the truth, yes it’s a good beginning, but you need to have passion for art and patience and plenty of
luck. There are masses of very good artists, but only a handful of them will make “it”.
10. And last but not least, PAINT FROM YOUR HEART not from your mind, the best art is the one that will
move you, and for this it needed to be created with a strong emotion.