Winter in Florida, oil painting by Karen

Thanks Karen for sending us your latest oil painting of Elephant ears and Cannas. It really reminds all of us over here in gales and flooding of the greens of beautiful plants like these.

Xmas Art Material wish list

Christmas Presents 2009!

With a huge amount of art materials and wondering what on earth you should do if you want to go to a class perhaps the list below will help, stockists are listed on the right here Jacksons and Great Art:

My Tried and tested for a Drawing Class:

• Artist quality pencils (better quality leads) buy a box with 'H' and 'B' pencils in it -
  
• Putty rubber
• Quality cartridge paper - Hahnemuehle 'Sketch' Quattro is a lovely off white 170g/m 80 lbs paper (this means the weight) gives lovely results
• Colour: Derwent 'Coloursoft' pencils - good quality coloured pencils
• Fabriano Artists Journal - beautiful sketchbook available at www.greatart.co.uk

Other wish list:

• Derwent Inktense Pencil Sets - very vibrant colours, washes can be applied
• DUX Professional Sharpener (Great Art)
  
• Cappelleto Drawing Board greatar) brilliant idea - lightweight drawing board with clip with carry handle
• Metal Table Top Easel (see above website) - could be very useful
• Faber-Castell Artist Pen Sets - great for line drawings

Watercolour Classes - equipment

• Tiny tubes but fantastic colour! My small box of 5 colours is still going after a year - Holbein Artist Water Colours - not sure if they still stock this but worth a look on Jacksons website
  
• Winsor and Newton Artist watercolours at Jacksons are on special offer (make sure you key in the artist bit too - best quality and value for money
• Jacksons Series 900 - Gold Kolinsky Jacksons Watercolour Brush : Kolinsky Gold Sable Series 900 :
  
• Gerstaecker Watercolour Paper - not tried but looks like good value especially for a course from Great Art

Brooks Studios Travelling Sketchbook

Inspired by the 1000 sketchbooks idea which was launched in the US, see the link for this, there is now a travelling sketchbook. The idea is to pass the Brooks Studios sketchbook on to people who are off on a trip. The maiden voyage will start with France and Joan is very kindly whisking it away to start it all off. The next voyage for the sketchbook will then be Eygpt. If you would like to take the sketchbook off on your own journey please contact us.... you never know where it might lead!

Banksy vs Bristol Museum

Possibly the best exhibition I have seen for a very very long time. The queue down Park St was memorable! Once inside it was fascinating.... take a look at the video on the link and get a glimpse of the animated animals, peepshow painting and the graffiti ice cream van - go if you can! Highly recommended and now they have extended the exhibition dates.

South Today Tv show Christines Photo

The 'Water Saving Garden' seafront West Worthing - taken at 8am Friday 19th June by Christine Davies

Need to improve your photography?

Perhaps you have always felt your photography could be better, even navigating your way around a camera can seem daunting! Our newest workshop focuses on this, with an experienced, professional to help you.

Roy Matthews is holding the 2nd Introduction to Photography workshop at Worthing Highdown Gardens on SUNDAY 14 JULY (see the link for the website above). The day will include 'what makes a special picture', using the right lens, framing the subject and much more.

For full details see the website. You could just turn your pictures around in one day!

Finished painting commission!

Some of you will know that I have been working on a painting commission for clients in Worthing. The painting, in oils, was inspired by a lovely cafe which serves great coffee in china cups on Worthing beach. Now it is on to the next exhibition.... Jane Denman