The Artist

The UK’s best practical art magazine for aspiring amateur and professional artists - since 1931. Well-known artists reveal their working practices and techniques, covering all subjects and media, in every issue. Learn how established and up-and-coming artists create their work and use the tips they provide to help you improve your own drawing and painting. Keep up to date with the latest art materials, tried and tested by our trusted panel of expert artists, and keep in touch with the latest art competitions to enter and must-see exhibitions. Learn how other artists make money from their work, join one of our practical workshops/holidays, and don’t miss out on the latest art news and views.

The Artist

WELCOME from the editor

THE ART WORLD • NEWS, INFORMATION AND ONLINE EVENTS IN THE ART WORLD

Exhibitions

Prydie: The life and art of Mabel Pryde Nicholson

Society of Botanical Artists

Art Societies

Royal Society of MARINE ARTISTS

Times of Day LUCY MARKS

SENDING-IN DAYS

YOUR VIEWS • LETTERS, EMAILS AND COMMENTS

STAR LETTER

Building relationships • Caroline Saunders talks to Tom Stevenson, winner of The Artist Award at last year's ROI exhibition, about his love of oil paints, still life and plants and discovers why it's important to him that each area of a painting relates to another

Pushing the boundaries of watercolour • In the first of six articles exploring the medium of watercolour, Charles Williams focuses on one of its main characteristics, transparency, and discusses the work of two artists whose work relies on this quality

Simplifying boats • In the final article in his bi-monthly series on simplifying complex subjects in watercolour, Grahame Booth offers tips and advice on how to paint boats

There are several things to observe on this boat (a ruler will be useful)

EXERCISE The Figure of Eight

On the move • Greta Vilidaite uses repetition, brushstrokes, exaggeration, and paint application to portray a sense of movement in her paintings. Here she offers advice to acrylic painters who are seeking a dynamic element in their work

WAYS TO SHOW MOVEMENT

Managing oils • Paul Talbot-Greaves shares tips and techniques for making oil painting manageable at home

Light fantastic • In the fourth of five articles on capturing light effects in watercolour, Catherine Beale seizes the moment to paint fleeting sunlight through trees

The essentials of portraiture • In the penultimate feature in his six-part series on portraits in oils, Peter Keegan explores drawing with the brush

Loose and lively sketching • In the fourth of his five-part series on loosening up your painting, Kevin Scully offers tips on sketching with pen, ink, and watercolour

Hidden nature • Don't ignore what's under your nose, advises Barry Freeman as he finds inspiration in the ordinary

Alla-prima — the perfect playground • Paul Weaver shows how quick, still-life studies are an ideal way to hone your oil-painting skills

Technology versus creativity • Sarah Edmonds explores what the digital world means to the creative artist

ART BOOKS Reviewed by Henry Malt

The magic of woodlands • Follow Soraya French as she uses the expressive qualities of mixed media, to create a sun-filled woodland scene

Tone alone • Don't become so fixated on colour that your paintings lose impact, warns Mike Barr. Real drama is in the tone