Artists Back to Basics

Artists Back to Basics is an entry level magazine for all artists. From setting up a studio to what easel to choose it’s a must for all artists. Featuring the latest in news, reviews and products from the art world as well as exhibition previews and reviews

Art is a Rollercoaster • This artist definitely practices what she preaches, as she ‘Paints what she wants, and takes pleasure in the ride’!

The Glorious Giraffes • As an animal life painter, the artist explains that she always tries to capture expression and emotion, and create a narrative on her canvas, so for this workshop she documented her process of a giraffe painting. She has included steps on painting eyes, as they are a very important part of her overall composition, helping to create an emotive element to the work.

“Contrast”

Main Beach Queensland

Crayon on Lounge Room Wall • This prize-winning two-year-old is still painting today!

Just Add Water • Backlit scenes like this are very much a study in grey tones rather than colour. Some backlit scenes are more subtle and less intense than others. Scenes such as sun reflecting off water can at times have too much glare, and not worth taking on.

Aperture • Utilising the correct aperture to photograph artwork and source material

In Awe of the Landscape • This hardy adventurer thrives on continually challenging herself, from improvising with a stump for an easel and a twig for a brush, to learning and sharing her knowledge with other artists.

Spotlight on Dungog • A stunning painting of Dungog’s museum, nestled in the Hunter region of New South Wales.

To understand how watercolour works complete this exercise

The Rhine in Time • This really is an amazing slice of history – we see landscape paintings of the Rhine shoreland from the 1800s accompanied by photographs of the same locations taken in 2014.

“Perspective” • A little while ago I was asked a question, could I explain ‘simple perspective’. They had been trying to understand it for years and it had been driving them nuts apparently.

Newcastle Art Gallery • Newcastle Art Gallery sits proudly in its urban setting, gracing Newcastle’s Laman Street and overlooking Civic Park, adjacent to Darby Street’s shops and cafes. It is a major part of the city’s Civic precinct, which offers cultural spaces including the Gallery, Newcastle Region Library, Newcastle Museum and Civic Theatre all within easy walking distance.

My Watercolour, plein air, tools of the trade