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Making Backgrounds that Pop!
One of the most amazing things about colour is the way different hues affect each other. The vibrancy that can be created by having the right colours next to each other is a powerful tool for artists to use when…
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Exploring the Forest Garden
A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be invited by Pat Kelly to visit her beautiful forest garden for a look around and a sketching session. It was such a delight to explore the many species which…
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The Colours of Nature: Greenish Blue
If someone says greenish blue to me I think of a vivid turquoise, like that found on the back of a kingfisher or the colour of the Mediterranean on a sunny day. The colour given in Nature’s Palette (the book…
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Fuchsias and the Isle of Man
Fuchsias are gorgeous with their striking and colourful blossoms, just coming into flower at this time of the year in all their magenta glory. Originating primarily from Central and South America, these plants have become popular worldwide for their ornamental…
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The Colours of Nature: Blackish Grey
The colour of clouds, heavily laden with rain, ‘Blackish Grey’ isn’t an uplifting colour. Colours such as this, however, are often found in nature and are visually important in providing a neutral backdrop for more vibrant colours. In the book…
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How Do Artists Paint Foliage?
Leaves often take supporting roles in art. They give colour and structure to landscapes and floral works, but are often not depicted in detail or as the focal point of an artwork. There are good reasons for this and the…
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The Colours of Nature: Emerald Green
A colour connected to nature and growth, green hues can evoke feelings of freshness and calm, but have also been connected to jealousy, poison and evil. ‘Emerald Green’, named after the gemstone, is a fresh mid-green, given the references of…
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Vintage Book Review: Keith Brockie’s Wildlife Sketchbook
I’m very lucky to have a friend who finds wonderful books for me. The latest find was Keith Brockie’s Wildlife Sketchbook, the first book to be written and illustrated by this talented Scottish Artist. Published in 1981, the book features…
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The Colours of Nature: Violet Purple
Complex and mysterious, purple is the colour of royalty and mysticism. Purples can be redder or bluer in tone and those that appear to have equal quantities of both can confuse our minds as our brains aren’t quite sure how…
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New Horadam Naturals and Watercolour Palette
My main palette for PleinAirpril 2024 has consisted of watercolours and three of the new Horadam Natural paints, recently released by Schmincke. These paints are a new type of watercolour that Schmincke describes as having properties of both watercolour and…