In this video, you can watch me finish the painting I started in last week's video and I demonstrate how to change the composition to keep the viewer's eyes moving around your painting.

How do you go from having an idea and inspiration for a painting to executing it on the canvas? In this blog, I share my own simple quick solution.

A successful painting to me is one that draws the viewer in from a distance and then engages their interest close up.

Aiming for perfection and being afraid of making a wrong decision actually get in the way of creating successful paintings.

What do you do when you need some color inspiration for your painting? Whether you’re about to begin a painting or you’re in the middle of one and you’re stuck because you don’t know what colors you want use next, I have an idea you might find useful.

How do you begin an abstract painting, especially a really large one? After many years of painting I have found a way to begin that works well for me, which I am going to demonstrate in the short video today.

There are lots of reasons you might regret it if you don’t keep good records of your works.

Do you struggle at times to come up with compositions of shapes for your paintings? 

And do you hesitate to try a shape on the canvas because you don't want to make a mistake? 

You can create a lot of really interesting effects in your abstract paintings by employing surprising tools that you'll find in your kitchen drawers, cupboards and other parts of your house.

It's a simple idea, but it really works! 

Whether I'm stuck in a painting or just looking for new ideas to inspire me, dipping into my Creativity Jar can kick things loose and give new life to my painting process. 

One of the most creative people I know is Isa Austen, a painter, photographer, model and florist in West Seattle who says she only realized in her 70s that she is truly an artist. 

Have you ever wanted a simple, quick way to come up with abstract painting ideas?  I have just the thing for you.

Have you ever gotten stuck in a painting and felt like it was failing? Believe me, I’ve been there.

Studying the works of artists you like is a fantastic way to learn new techniques that you can apply in your own work.

Have you ever found yourself “stuck” in a painting, unsure about what to do next? I certainly have.

Not sure what painting supplies and tools to grab from your studio when heading out on a trip?  

You can pick up new ideas for your paintings just by watching other artists as they paint. In this first of two videos in which I create a painting from scratch, I explain my process step-by-step

To make your painting successful it's important to have enough variety in all the different areas, including color, value, and design. Differences in these areas are what holds the viewer’s interest.

In this video I offer my collection of essential painting resources, references and painting aids to make it easy for you to achieve the results you want in your abstract painting.

Much of the work an artist does involves creative problem solving and becoming adept at problem
solving will lower your frustration and help you develop your painting skills more quickly.