Blog

Understanding and mastering 'value' and learning how to place it effectively in a composition takes plenty of practice. In this exercise, I'm looking at 'value' in terms of light and dark. 'Value' can be explored in many other ways but here I'm just looking at using light and dark values to create contrast. Exploring this idea just using small thumbnail sketches is a great way to practice looking for values and training our eyes and brain to recognise contrasting light and

My paintings always reach a point where I need to let them sit for a while. I prop them up on the easel or hang them on the wall and distance myself from the making of them and reduce my interaction with them so that in effect I become nothing more than a passerby. It's in these moments that my focus becomes less intense and I can find myself feeling a bit adrift, no longer anchored physically and cognitively by that artwork.

My journey with clay began when a potter friend donated a bag of recycled clay for me to 'mess around with'. The tactile hands-on nature of working in clay felt so immediate and new after years of holding paint brushes and other tools to create my art. I loved having a direct impact on the materials with my hands, it felt fresh and exciting (I gave up finger painting years ago!) I also realised that I didn't need a whole heap of expensive gear to get started with clay.