In my own paintings I create a lot of texture and layering of colour and lines, so let's go on a little tour of my favourite crops and close-ups, and how I created the effects. Taking a closer look at them we can see how my favourite techniques can create a little magic. There are always interesting areas of a painting that deserve a closer look!

People are genuinely curious about how artists work behind the scenes. It seems to be such a mysterious occupation as we are mostly tucked away in our studios creating works of art away from the public eye. Over the years I have found many common questions that people ask, and I have encountered these at Art Fairs, Open Studios, Gallery Private Views, and even at workshops I teach.

The way the colours were used was just magical to me. I didn't know all of the arty terms at the time, but what I did know is that I just could imagine myself standing there in the scene, feel the warmth on my face and hear the rustling of the trees in a gentle breeze. I was obsessed with how a painting could do this!