Learning a new creative skill can be hard - but it's ultimately rewarding to push through initial discomfort...

I've recently been learning new creative skills - for both business and enjoyment purposes. I wanted to change things up a bit and try something new - so I've revisited an old interest in papercutting and a design-style from a few years ago - and in doing so, found that I needed new skills!

I've had to negotiate a new 'state-of-the-art' cutting machine, that I'd had for two weeks before I learned that there was a handy cubby hole to store my tools! And that was just the start - there's the 'Design Space' on the computer that connects to the machine, new ways of using Adobe Illustrator to create my designs - even though I thought I was pretty familiar with the Illustrator software, I've discovered previously hidden depths to enliven my life and confuse my poor addled brain...

And new ways of working and thinking about my drawings - thinking about how the design might end up being used and tying myself in knots trying to work out which bits to cut and which bits to leave - and feeling disappointed when the eyes fell out of one of my first attempts!

Do you want to start drawing with charcoal? Here are my best charcoal drawing tips and techniques to help you start well and then develop your drawing in this medium in your own style…

Charcoal is a drawing medium that I’ve always loved to use, and I find I get quite a different, looser, style to my drawings when I use charcoal.

Understand where you are in your own artistic adventure and start to make more meaningful art…

The aim of this page is to help you start to understand your own artistic journey.

This is important as an awareness of what you like, or don’t like, what attracts you, what you’re curious about can help you to make the right decision about what to focus on in your art…

So that you’re not wasting time drawing stuff that you’re not interested in, or developing techniques that don’t do it for you.
​
This will also make your art more enjoyable for you, more meaningful, and more fulfilling. 

​Perhaps there are particular subject matters, themes, or questions that you want to explore, things you’re curious about...

Learning to make better art by loosening up, not worrying, getting curious... and playing!

Art isn’t about doing it ‘properly’ or doing it the ‘right’ way.

True creativity is about curiosity, exploration and play so that you can create great drawings in your own way…

The objective of this drawing lesson is to start to develop a creative mindset with a light-hearted (playful) and curious attitude towards your art-making

(…and today, that actually doesn’t involve ANY drawing!).

This is important because it really helps you not to take your art too seriously!

This allows you to disengage yourself with the end-result and enjoy the process – feeling free to experiment and have fun.
​
This is far more enjoyable for you and it also creates innovative and fresh art and helps you to develop your own unique style when you do get back to your drawing...
​

Get more details on the Big Draw website here...

Or go straight to the page on my website here....
​

Easy multimedia drawing techniques for a drawing with lots of texture, interest and depth...

Our personal drawing techniques always evolve and refine as we develop as artists and as our styles and tastes change!

​I wanted to share the multimedia drawing techniques that I've been using recently to let you know how you can play about a bit with your materials, experiment and just have a go with something and see how it looks... that's how I came up with this particular technique!

For this multimedia drawing style I'll be using:

• pencil for sketching
• black fineliner pen for the initial drawing
• alcohol marker pens
• coloured pencils
• paint markers

Celtic deer art - plus a look at the myths, meaning and folklore around the female deer - the hind or doe...

Celtic stag art - plus a look at the fascinating history, symbolism, folklore & meaning around the stag - a special relationship for at least 10,000 years!!

This artwork is one of a pair - this is the stag/hart, the other is the doe/hind. You can see the other, plus read the general introduction to deer meaning here - don't forget to come straight back! (I'll also give you the link at the end, if you prefer.)
​

Celtic Deer Art – Stag & Hind – plus folklore, symbolism, myth & meaning...

The deer is one of our ancient magical creatures of Britain – considered as sacred, and linked to the Otherworld for thousands of years…

Even today, the deer is an animal that we still think of as special and who still features in folklore, stories and legends as part of humanity’s unique connection with nature.

I’m going to explore some of our history with deer, the myths and legends we’ve woven around them, and how we relate to them and take meaning from them.
​
I’ll also be sharing my two Celtic deer artworks – a very handsome stag and a pretty doe…

There's a short general introduction to our history with deer on this page, including myth, folklore and meaning - then I go into much more detail on the stag (hart) and doe (hind) on their respective pages, too...

Let's start in the world of myth, with the deer of the classical world...
​

Colourful 'Arts and Crafts' or 'Craftsman' style artwork - Celtic Geese with Summer Strawberries - art prints, home wares, cushions, throws, bedding, T-shirts, stationery, accessories...

I thought I'd have a bit of colourful summer fun with this charming artwork with a pair of gorgeous geese reaching up to some tempting sweet summer strawberries, lots of pretty flowers and some swirling art nouveau or arts and crafts style Celtic knotwork...

The rich colours are warm and striking and give a cosy look suitable for traditional period houses, cosy cottages and relaxed family homes.

​I make my art digitally (with Adobe Illustrator) from pen and pencil drawings - here's how I made this piece...