An Arty Summer

How to stay inspired when you are not going to class...

So my top tip for an arty summer is to acquire a tiny sketchbook. I accidentally bought one and was about to send it back before I realised that actually tiny weeny is rather liberating. No terrifying expanse of paper to fill and easy to do quick and often silly little sketches in very little time. I also suffer from paper fright and need a project to do so if you want to keep your hand in over the summer, grab a 300gm watercolour sketchbook and sketch the stuff around you. eg. Local landmark, your house/ garden inside and out, pet, local trees, any statues or waterfalls and the tasty meals you are enjoying.

There seems to be a big trend at the moment for hand making watercolours and I can highly recommend doing the weekend workshop with Tansy Hargan and her husband. It was great fun mixing pigment, honey, gum arabic and distilled water, although my tiny brain felt the strain of the maths. You can also buy her delicious creamy paints from her website www.tansyhargan.bigcartel.com. I also had to selflessly buy a hand made set from Mytinyjournal Etsy which came very speedily from India ( in case any of you need advice on the very niche market of neon watercolour paints). It was supposed to contain 8 paints but one was a tiny rabbit. I took this as a sign from the universe, possibly that I am buying too much art stuff. I love them and my little rabbit friend, the colours are really bright and well pigmented. I really don't need any more paint but I love testing out the different types of watercolour as the consistencies are so different and it really makes a difference if you have some inspiringly tasty colours to hand. I thoroughly recommend the new handmade ranges which complement my extensive range of Gansai Tambai pans and my White Night set which are also super bright. Although I love the transparency of watercolour it is also very liberating having the more creamy paints which cover your sketchbook speedily with colour.

Also the paint brush is Da Vincis new synthetic Kolinsky Sable watercolour range which I highly recommend for quality but also just for general good will to the world and the beasties that roam within.

So if you can, just find something small or silly to paint just to keep your hand in over the summer. Once you get started it is much easier to keep going. And maybe make some notes on your drawing. What kind of day was it or how delicious was that giant pizza? Enjoy...Vx