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 • Want to comment on something you've read, or seen?

YOUR VIEWS LETTERS, EMAILS AND COMMENTS

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

Lamorna Colony Pioneers

In search of drama • Caroline Saunders talks to Keith Bennett, The Artist award winner at last year's Pastel Society annual exhibition

Keith Bennett IN CONVERSATION with Caroline Saunders

Re-visioning your subject in watercolour • Create your own atmospheric paintings by imagining them. Amanda Hyatt demonstrates how to capture your ideal subject using her Five Steps to Watercolour method

A cottage garden • Soraya French shows how to use the immediacy, brilliance and versatility of soft pastels to paint a summer garden

Exploring the Zorn palette • Using a limited palette of just three colours plus white Mark Fennell demonstrates how to paint an alla prima portrait in oils

MARK'S TIPS FOR PAINTING WITH THE ZORN PALETTE

Mark Fennell PORTRAITS

A modern take on the conversation piece • Jo Quigley shows you how to create your own informal group portrait in acrylics

HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN CONVERSATION PIECE

Looking up and looking down • Alter your viewpoint to make the most of your landscape painting advises Cheryl Culver as she paints a cliff view in pastel

The brilliance of Turner • Using the sketchbooks of Turner as inspiration, Alan Bickley paints his own watercolour in the style of the master

Turner Colour Beginnings Historical 12 wholepan wooden travel box with ceremic palette

DEMONSTRATION St Hilarion, N. Cyprus • This watercolour painting is referenced from sketchbook material I made while on holiday in Cyprus on Turner Blue paper, 7½×11in (19×28cm). Named after a monk who once lived there, but it's now a castle!

A light touch • Paul Talbot-Greaves demonstrates why watercolour is the perfect medium for portrait painting

READER EXERCISE

The boldness of charcoal • Clare Lord turns our attention to charcoal as she relishes its ability to create large tonal drawings at speed

EXERCISE TO TRY

EXERCISE TO TRY

Learning to look • Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year finalist, Sally Ward uses her observations of tonal hierarchy to build a compelling portrait in oils

SARAH'S TIPS FOR OBSERVING TONAL HIERARCHY

Add is more • Paul Riley explores innovative additives to enhance your watercolours

ADD ONS

Oils under pressure • Working at speed can have benefits for the plein-air painter, says Rodney Kingston as he paints an urban scene in oils in under three hours

RODNEY'S TOP TIPS FOR OUTDOOR PAINTING

Rodney Kingston URBAN LANDSCAPES

Supporting STARS • Winston Oh shows you how to tackle background trees in the landscape, and allow them to provide a supporting role to the main star of the show

Winston's recommended painting materials

Showcase your art…

ARTISTS' RESOURCES • Sarah Edmonds' picks of the best...