From the studio
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Sketchbooks
Read more: SketchbooksI was asked about using sketchbooks the other day. Although I don’t keep sketchbooks myself, there are some fascinating films of artists talking about theirs on the RA’s Youtube channel. My friend, artist Mick Kirkbride, has filmed one for them too. It’s a really good watch. By chance I also received an email from Jacksons the other…
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5 works by Zoom Students
Read more: 5 works by Zoom StudentsMonday was my last Zoom teaching session of the term. I’ve uploaded one piece from each of the five participants below. They are interested in one of two new members joining them next term, so if you think you would be a good fit, please get in touch and I’ll send you more information. I…
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Recent newsletters
Read more: Recent newslettersI send out email newsletters most weeks to share some of the creative things I come across day to day in my world of art and art education. There are links to recent newsletters below, but if you’d like to receive them each week by email, you can sign up here. Recent newsletters (2025): 18th…
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Robert Stewart
Read more: Robert StewartThe painting and collage was made jointly by Heather and Robert Stewart this term, during the small, joyful Zoom sessions I run on Monday mornings. The colourful swirls of acrylic paint were made by Heather, and the equally colourful collaged buildings by Robert. The work is 1.5 meters wide and captures the joy of their…
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Artwork by Wednesday Painting Students: Summer Term 2025
Read more: Artwork by Wednesday Painting Students: Summer Term 2025Painting ClassesWednesdays: 10.15-12.30 & 1-3.15 We’ve come to the end of another term of wonderful Wednesday painting classes. I feel they are really something special; every student, whether new to painting or experienced, is committed to improving their painting and drawing, as well as contributing to an exciting and energised studio environment. I managed to…
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A list of artists appearing on This Cultural Life and Desert Island Discs
Read more: A list of artists appearing on This Cultural Life and Desert Island DiscsI’ve made the following list of ‘This Cultral Life’ and ‘Desert Island Discs’ podcast episodes that feature visual artists. I’ve thrown a few illustrators, two architects, and a photographer into the mix too. This Cultural Life: Anselm KieferJenny SavilleFrank AuerbachAntony GormleySam Taylor-JohnsonEdmund de WaalJeremy DellerGilbert and GeorgeMartin ParrRachel WhitereadES DevlinNorman FosterMaggi HamblingTracey Emin Desert Island…
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Oil Painting, Thinners and Chest Pains
Read more: Oil Painting, Thinners and Chest PainsDespite oil paints being my preferred medium, I dedicating the whole of 2024 to painting with watercolours, and the five years previous to mostly using acrylics. The reason I stopped using oils in 2018 was due to the slight chest pains I was getting from the fumes that came with using thinners. But now I’m…
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In the media
Read more: In the mediaIn 2020 I made the short video, ‘In the Media’, to introduce the weekly challenge to students working at home during lockdown. The main part of the video consisted of eleven artworks, each made in response to an image found in the media. I can’t find the original file to cut out the now obsolete…
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When is a painting finished?
Read more: When is a painting finished?Personally, being an artist who, for whatever reason, feels compelled to find more and more detail in a subject at the risk of overworking, I keep two phrases in my mind: I asked Chat GPT for more, and it found me the following fourteen artist quotes. It suggests that they can be categorised into four…
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Major exhibitions in London: On now or coming soon.
Read more: Major exhibitions in London: On now or coming soon.Royal Academy of ArtsAstonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor HugoUntil 29/6 Summer Exhibition17/6-17/8 Kiefer / Van Gogh28/6 – 26/10 Tate Modern Leigh Bowery!Until 31/8 Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the InternetUntil 1/6 Do Ho Suh: Walk the HouseUntil 19/10 Tate Britain Ed AtkinsUntil 31/8 Edward Burra – Ithell Colquhoun13/6 – 19/10 National Gallery Siena:…
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