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.

WELCOME from the editor

The Artist

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS

Next month in the artist

YOUR VIEWS • LETTERS, EMAILS AND COMMENTS

STAR LETTER

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

FIGURATIVE ART NOW

Café culture • Caroline Saunders talks to Cecilia Cardiff about how she captures the ambience and creates a narrative in her expressive restaurant scenes

Conquer perspective and figure painting • In the first of three articles looking at some of the problems that watercolourists might face, Brian Smith explains how to tackle figures and perspective

A profusion of peonies • Sandra Corpora demonstrates how to capture the spectacular and short-lived beauty of peonies in oils and shares her tips for painting fresh flowers

Put trees in the picture • Paul Weaver explains how to add trees to your watercolour landscapes, with advice on simplifying shapes and mixing colours for seasonal foliage

Paint contemporary figures in watercolour • Leo Crane shares his approach to painting the figure

BLOOMS

Pastel painting techniques • In the first of a new series of four articles on painting with pastels, Steve Hall looks at trees in the landscape and the materials and techniques he uses to depict both summer and winter trees

STEVE’S TIPS FOR PAINTING WITH PASTELS

Be inspired by meadows and hedges • Ann Blockley continues her theme of connecting with nature as a way of helping you to realise fully your creativity or release yourself from creative blocks

Seascapes in mixed media • One of the joys of working in mixed media is the unpredictability of mixing materials that you wouldn’t automatically use together. Kevin Scully advises on media, materials and what to expect

Kevin’s top tips for painting in mixed media

Values • Paul Talbot-Greaves discusses values, which he says are the fundamental beginning of any painting process, with an exercise for you to try

EXERCISE PRACTISE PAINTING VALUES IN ACRYLIC

Create some magic • Amanda Hyatt demonstrates how to achieve some special effects that will impart a little magic into your watercolour paintings

AMANDA’S TOP TEN TIPS FOR SPECIAL EFFECTS

Catch that wave! • Paul Riley reveals the bold, expressive techniques he uses to capture the movement of tempestuous seas in watercolour

PAUL’S TOP TIPS

Competitions–are they worth it? • Mike Barr considers the pros and cons of entering open art competitions

JOINING A PROFESSIONAL BODY OR ART SOCIETY • If you are keen to advance your career, gain valuable peer support and grow in confidence, joining a recognised professional body is a worthy challenge, as Sarah Edmonds explains

The Frazer Price Palette Box • Tim Fisher puts an updated classic through its paces and comes up smiling. Back after 30 years, find out how the paintbox makes its mark on Tim’s sketching style

EXHIBITIONS • GALLERY OPENING TIMES AND EXHIBITION DATES CAN VARY; IF IN DOUBT PHONE TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

OPPORTUNITIES &...