Scottish Highland Cow

Highland Cow, chalk pastel on board

If you are not from Scotland, Highland Cows are an unusual sight. They are huge, hairy (very), long horned (at all sorts of angles), come in a reddy brown blonde colour or black and rarely seem to move. I often wonder how they see (their hair falls over their eyes), but the calves are super cute.

This painting has sold, but you can buy prints and greetings cards through my shops on Etsy and Folksy.

I plan on doing a series of paintings. Watch this space.

Koi Carp

Koi Carp painted using chalk pastel on pastel paper.

I've just sold this painting. I'm sorry to see it go, I have to admit.

New Paintings

Here are a couple of new watercolours I have been working on... You can find out more about them at my Etsy shop.

Japanese Irises

Autumn Stream

Notelets for sale online

I have decided to combine my greetings cards into groups and sell them as notelets.

This way customers can buy selections of 5 cards at a cheaper price than buying 5 individually - you can still buy them separately.

You can find them in my shop.

Landscapes, including Arran Sunset, Sailing by Jura,
Kintra Beach Sunset, Iona Blue, Walking the Dog, Findhorn

Landscapes including Out to Sea, Smokey Jura,
Arran Rains, New Year's Day Troon, From Morar

Wildlife including Highland Cow, Howling Like The Wolf,
Snow Leopard, Proud Peacock, Snowshoe Hare

Woodland including Bluebell Stroll, Autumn Acers,
Blossoms and Hazel, Bluebell Sunshine, Snowdrop Carpet

5th Blog Anniversary

As of today I have been writing this blog for 5 years!

Here are my 3 most popular posts...

3. Running Cheetah 

 2. Time Constraints

 1. Snow Leopard

 Happy anniversary to me!

Introduction to Traditional Media: Watercolour

I will freely admit that I find painting in watercolour extremely difficult. Even so, I've written an article on the subject.

Wildflowers by Tracy Butler

I do use watercolours, but I decided to interview several artists in order to gain different points of view and experiences. Their contribution to my article was invaluable; so a big thank you goes to Alma Wolfson, Jessica Wolfson and Sheila Gold.

You can read the article here.

Sketching at Kelvingrove Art Gallery

I decided to do some sketching at Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

I had my trusty fold away stool, conte pencils, a clipboard with different coloured paper on it, and most importantly my iPod and favourite music.

From a bronze bust

My music is the only way I can block out the rest of the world, and allows me to enter my own as I nod away to favourite songs.

Well, except when someone comes along wanting to look at my work. Most people do it subtly over my shoulder or as they pass, but this one was a new one. She stood right in front of me peering down and then asked me what I was drawing and why I had stopped. I took a deep breath, and calmly pointed out that I was drawing the bust directly behind her, and that she was standing between me and my subject, so I could no longer see it. She just shrugged and walked away. I think she was surprised I couldn't see through her.

I really did have  a brilliant day. Sketching away from the studio should be done far more often.

Introduction to Traditional Media: Oil Painting

My latest article, Introduction to Traditional Media: Oil Painting, is now available on the Tuts+ website.

Although I paint in oils, I felt I needed to turn to someone else to fill in the gaps in my knowledge. Laura Harrison, an experienced oil painter, allowed me to not only invade the sanctity that is her studio, but to also pick her brains. The image above is from one of her paintings.

Thanks Mum!

You can check the article out here.

Introduction to Traditional Media: Chalk Pastel

Another one of my articles has been published - Introduction to Traditional Media: Chalk Pastel.

Close up of a cheetah's eye. I used this as an example.

Chalk Pastel is my absolute favourite medium to work in, and I loved writing this.

My articles have given me a chance to explore materials I have always known in a different way. I've been getting to know their histories and looking at them from a beginners point of view has given me a new perspective.

You can find my latest article here on the Tuts+ website.

Enjoy.

Tuts+ Article, Introduction to Traditional Media: Pencils, Charcoal, Erasers and More

I've been a bit busy of late, so to my shame, I haven't been visiting my blog.

I have been asked to write a series of articles for Tuts+, an online tutorial company, 5 of them, all on the basics of drawing and painting.

My first (and please excuse the catchy title), Introduction to Traditional Media: Pencils, Charcoal, Erasers and More has now been published. I'm loving that not only can I write about art, I can have fun doing it and be informative at the same time.

The next four are all introductions to traditional media too, covering chalk pastel, oil painting, watercolour and acrylics.

I will let you know as they are all published.

You can read this article here.