Original Art
The main focus for my original paintings, tends to be of the beach... although I do paint other scenes using the same style.
Original style of art
Quite detailed and although I use photographs purely as reference material for ideas, each painted scene is of nowhere in particular, they are just 'made up'.
Art Studio
the studio
My studo has the added benefit of north and south facing windows, which for creating and painting art is a great help.
Most of my original art work is created upon an old drawing board which I bought second hand from a local paper years ago (a £50 bargain). As most of the original paintings I create tend to be on the small side, the drawing board is ideal. For larger paintings I use an easel within the same room, or when the sun is shining, I try and work outside.
Painting materials
'Low Tide'
Gouache/watercolour
Paints
I use gouache, watercolour, acrylics and latterly oils, to create my paintings, although gouache is mainly what I use. Gouache, in case you did not know, is an opaque water based paint containing gum arabic. Its a bit like watercolour in consistency but gouache is a not transparent like watercolour. Depending upon what sort of effect you want, gouache can be applied straight from the tube, diluted and applied like watercolour or, as I do, mixed with water in varying quantities and used alongside watercolour.
When choosing paint, I will always use the best quality artists paints available. This also applies for oil and acrylic paints.
Bases - what I paint on
I have found (for me anyhow) that mount board or illustration board provides an excellent smooth acid free surface upon which to apply the paint. I do use watercolour paper too, which tends to to be the thicker paper, about 140lb upwards.
Brushes - water based paints
'Wooden Brolly'
Gouache/watercolour
For me sable brushes are the choice I would always make when wanting to create detail. I always spend ages choosing the right brush particularly when looking for one with a very fine point.
All good quality artist shops should have a receptacle of water to rinse it in before your purchase. Rinsing a new brush, removes the coating that the manufacturers applied to it before distribution so you can see exactly how it would look and perform before getting it home and possibly finding out its not really what you wanted.
Brushes - oil based paints
When using oil paints (which I am increasingly doing now) I use the traditional hog hair brushes, but will also use sable brushes.
Care needs to be taken when using sable brushes with spirit based paints as, if not properly washed and rinsed after use, can lead to a much reduced life of your expensive sable brush.