February 1st:  Later this week I shall be changing ISP's and I think I now have everything in place so my incoming emails will not be interupted.  My new email address is now info@ayoubart.co.uk 

January 31st:  It was great to get back in the swing of things again with the local Art Group.  It was our first meeting of the year in new premises.  I haven't seen many of the members for ages and spent a great time catching up over a coffee.  All the time, my sketchbook and pencils on the desk in front of me - and a cat project ready to start.  Alas, by the time I was ready to draw it was time to leave for my osteopath appointment.  Doh !!  Better luck next week, I'll see if I can actually get pencil to paper next time.

Oh, and thanks to a bit of heavy muscle manipulation, I feel like a new woman.  Tender......but a lot more flexible.

January 30th:  This weekend a distant customer took great advantage of a lift, with friends, to Ipswich.  Christin has been wanting to learn portraiture for some time.  This timely lift coincided perfectly with my diary and the opportunity was just too good too miss.  Christin book 2 portrait lessons, back to back, for 2 days.  Because the portraiture lessons are only 3 hours long, it's easy to fit both in from 10am - 1pm, 30mins for lunch, then carry on from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. 

Christin was lucky enough at Christmas to receive the Valerie Stewart DVD set, brushes and paints so there will be no stopping her when she gets home.  Although we were unable to totally complete both portraits (as you really need 3 sessions per painting), Christin made really good headway on both pictures.  She'll be back another time to complete them and is already planning to next paint our Queen and Bob Ross.  Christin is a Bob Ross instructor, so you can imagine we had lots to chat about being in the same 'industry'.

I asked Christin if the portrait lessons were how she thought they would be.  'No', she replied, 'they're even better than I imagined'.  Isn't that lovely to hear?  You can see one of her part finished pieces above.

If portraiture in oils is something that might interest you, do give me a call on 01473 311938 or drop me a line.

January 26th:  Today we painted a seascape, Joyce Ortner style.  Using a small selection of soft brushes, we mixed our paint, loosened them with linseed oil and worked really hard at all the blending and softening to get realistic effects.  It's much more fiddly than your average landscape, but worth learning Joyce's style as the results really are super.

My student, Sue, brought along to class a painting she made at home. Not only that, she is allowing me to show you all.  Sue took 2 portrait seminars with me.......but this one she painted all by herself at home.  I think it's absolutely brilliant.  As I said to Sue........if this is painting number 3, think what painting number 10 will be like!  She's already planning portrait number 4.  I knew she would be hooked.

If you'd like to try portraiture do give me a call on 01473 311938 or drop me a line.  At only £45 per lesson (all inclusive of equipment and materials) it's a special skill to learn that's worth every penny.  Plus, my classes are aimed at beginners.  Thanks to Valerie Stewart and her marvellous portrait technique, there's a growing demand for this.

January 20th:  Taking that office door off (in my studio) was timely.  I had some last minute interest in today's class and was able to squeeze one more person in.  I felt a bit like Joyce Ortner today.......she likes to sit on a stool and teach from the stand up easel.  That's exactly what I done in today's class, setting up the free standing easel just inside the office with a stool to one side.  The student who was sat closest to the rear exit was the only person who had to leave their chair to see my demo stages, so it's working really well.  Tried and tested.   

January 19th:  The ladies of the WI gave me a very warm welcome indeed last night - even helped me carry my bits to and from the car to set up for their talk and live demo.  I was explaining the importance and relevance of the initial white medium base.  I found myself coming up with the most bizarre clarification.  I told the ladies; 'If Robbie Williams were to ring me right now and say 'Sue, down tools, get your bag, I'm taking you to Paris for 2 days', I could walk away from this demo painting and return 2 days later to finish it off.'  It's my rather fanciful way of illustrating how the white medium will stay wet enough to work with over a period of days.  A little later I uncovered a variety of paintings to illustrate what can be easily achieved using this technique, one of the subjects being my Robbie Williams portrait.  Combined with the fact I was humming 'Feel' by Robbie Williams as I was setting up....... mmmmmm a pattern forming here.

As I was in the final stages of my demo my phone went off and of course I ignored it.......but not without telling the ladies 'If that's Robbie wanting to whisk me away he'll just have to wait.'

Anyway ladies, just to let you know, it was me muvva......

Oh well, we can dream. 

January 18th:  I know, I know, I'm like the buses again.  Nothing for ages then they all come together!  Well, I just had to share an option that I've already been offering some of my existing students.  These are students who have no transport or are unable to drive but live relatively close.  I can come to you.......  I can arrive fully equipped, with protective table coverings, tables too, if necessary.  So if you'd like to paint in the comfort of your own home, be it landscapes or portraits, I'm happy to help.  Your dining table will be great, or conservatory perhaps.  As long as you don't live too far away, it's perfectly do-able.  The charges will be based on a private lesson (£65) unless you want to paint a portrait (£45) travelling expenses will be added.  Call me if this might interest you:  01473 311938

January 18th:  Over the next few weeks there will be some design changes to the studio / classroom.  The downstairs office is being emptied which will give a lot more room for a gallery, a few more desks and storage for art supplies.  Already the door has been removed and the difference in the light is great.  I think that dark door had quite an overpowering effect.  It'll take a little while to get completely straight but I do love a re-vamp.

January 18th:  Now that I'm up and about again I feel confident to add to the class timetable.  A few more classes have been added, including portraiture and pop art lessons.  The portraits are done, pretty much in 3 sessions.  Some students have said to me they can make session 1 and 3 (for example) but are unable to make session 2.  Well, that is so easily remedied. If you are unable to make any of the portrait dates I can easily fit you in with a date that's convenient to you.  As long as I have a 3 hour window in my diary we can do it. 

January 16th:  Oh my, am I glad to have a bit of flexibility again.  At the beginning of the week something horrible happened to my back.  Trapped nerve, slipped disc...?  I don't know.  All I do know is, it's been agony.  And if I could have laid my hands on a zimmer frame, believe me, I would have been happy to use one.  It's caused several class cancellations, which will all be rescheduled this week.  There's been a slight delay in the internet despatches, but only by a couple of days.  
I wouldn't say I'm 100% back to normal yet, but I am certainly capable of teaching and demo-ing again.  Phew, I won't take good health for granted ever again.
A big thanks to family and friends who have been helping out in so many ways - and also to my 2 new cats who have been 'live' hot water bottles.

January 9th:  The classes I am giving from my home studio are finishing quicker than the larger venue classes used to.  The most obvious and logical reason is because the number of students are smaller.  But, as I was telling yesterday's students, there's a number of small factors that also chip away at the time.  One of the major changes is that it is rare a student ever needs to clean a brush, both during and after a class.  I take on that task, easily spending half hour or more in my outside studio washing and conditioning all our brushes.  Another factor.....The way I demo in my studio set up means students no longer have to leave their chairs to see my step by step demo.  Imagine having to do that about 10 plus times a lesson.....just say it takes a minute to walk to the front of the class and back to your chair - that's already shaved over 10 minutes of the class time.

This means, from the time you start your painting lesson with me it's all about painting.  And that's just the way I like it.  I think the student's are in agreement too  :)

January 8th:  I spoke often last year about painting on the small side.  Today I painted one of the smallest oils I've done so far.  One of today's students asked me if I would paint our painting subject for her on a very small scale.  She provided me with a tiny little canvas and explained it was to be a part of a project she was working on.  And you know me, I do like a challenge, so I happily gave it a go.  The only difficulty I had was the canvas was extremely absorbant, drying the oil out in seconds, making the blending awkward.  But I have a few tricks that could sort that out quite easily.  What do you think of the micro version of 'Peach Dawn'?  Quite cute, isn't it.

January 6th:  I'd like to introduce readers and students alike to two new members of my family.  I first met this breed of cat over 20 years ago when Pauline, a friend, led me to her daughter Zoe's bedroom.  Zoe was tucked up in bed......but she slowly pulled back her bed covers to reveal a pretty little gremlin fast asleep.  From that day I have always wanted one.  Well, my dream came true last week when I collected a pair.  Welcome to Naboo and Rinkle my new Sphynx cats.  At the moment they are a bit poorly but in the week that I've had them they have improved 100%.  They've practically spent their first week sleeping - but as soon as they are more active I'll take some shots so you can see their very striking and angular profiles.

January 6th:  I know a lot of my customers and students have given portraits (both oils and Pop Art) as Christmas gifts this year.  The feedback from the delighted recipients has been brilliant.  'I can't believe you painted that'  'You did this yourself???'  'It's beautiful, thank you so much'  'Can you do some more'
If you'd like to have a go at portraiture, do have a look at my timetable to see if there are any dates that suit.  

If not, just ask.......
Just this minute a distant customer has been in touch about portrait lessons.  Her friend is coming to Ipswich for a weekend.  Too good an opportunity to miss, she's managed to get herself a lift and we'll be working on 2 portrait projects over the course of 2 days.

Meanwhile.......here's one that went to Mr Andre just before Christmas.