Welcome to the Blog!

In this series of lessons, I'll show you how to sketch various different places to capture the essence of the place as quickly as possible. The idea is that you can take this approach and use it when sketching outdoors on location.

There are 5...

In this series of lessons, I'll show you how to sketch various different places to capture the essence of the place as quickly as possible. The idea is that you can take this approach and use it when sketching outdoors on location.

There are 5...

In this series of lessons, I'll show you how to sketch various different places to capture the essence of the place as quickly as possible. The idea is that you can take this approach and use it when sketching outdoors on location.

There are 5...

Follow along with me as we sketch a ballerina with a couple of charcoal pencils on toned paper.

See beneath the video for a materials list and to download the reference photos.

Materials You'll Need

• Charcoal pencils: I used a...

In this lesson, I'll take you through a method for drawing a portrait from observation. The first goal is to get the face well-proportioned and looking believable. From there it's just a case of small tweaks and lots of practice to get a strong...

In this step-by-step coloured pencils lesson, I'll show you how to draw these Converse sneakers (or trainers if you're from my part of the world!) from a blank piece of paper right through to the finished artwork.

If you don't feel confident...

Learn how to sketch animals in this mini-series of drawing lessons. In this final part, we'll be sketching a lion. 

See beneath the video to download the reference materials for this part. There's also a materials list (but all you need is a...

Learn how to sketch animals in this mini-series of drawing lessons. In this second part, we'll be doing a loose sketch of a horse.

See beneath the video to download reference materials for this part. There's also a materials list (but all you need...

Learn how to sketch animals in this mini-series of drawing lessons. In this first part, we'll focus on proportion before doing more complete sketches in parts 2 and 3. 

See beneath the video to download reference materials for this part....

Join me in this full charcoal pencils tutorial designed with newcomers in mind. This is a full step-by-step lesson so download the reference photos below, check the materials list, and follow along!

See beneath the video for materials and...

Here's how to draw a realistic-looking fried egg and eggshell with coloured pencils. This is a full coloured pencil tutorial designed for you to follow along with, that will take you from blank piece of paper to finished artwork!

See beneath the...

Gouache has a really unique look and feel and can be more forgiving than traditional watercolour. But is it that much different from acrylic paint and what about traditional vs acrylic gouache?

In the video below, I'll cover the pros and cons of...

In this coloured pencils lesson, aimed at beginners and newcomers, follow along with me as we create a simple pear study.

This project is designed to get you familiar and comfortable with the most important coloured pencil techniques that you...

Combining two different mediums into a single drawing is a great way to mix things up, try new styles, and get creative playing about with your art materials. 

In this video, I'll show you six options for combining different...

You've decided to make your next piece of art. And this one is going to be with a coloured medium.

You'd like to make full use of your artistic licence and come up with your own unique mix of colours - rather than being a slave to the...

Pastels create dust and, when inhaled, there are some concerns amongst the artist community that it can be harmful.

The worry is that dust particles can settle in the respiratory system and, over time, potentially cause problems. Some pigments may...

By Bob Davies

If you apply watercolour paint (or water) to a dry sheet of paper, it will expand where it's wet and you end up with paper that is warped and buckled, instead of nice and flat.

It's impossible to paint on printer...

By Bob Davies

So you're fed up working with your paper or canvas flat on the kitchen table because it hurts your back leaning over it, whether you're standing or sitting?

And you're trying to work in your own shadow?

Or you're in full flow but...

This guide covers the different types of pastels available and which ones you might want to consider starting with. I’m assuming you’re either a newcomer or early on in your pastel painting adventure and my aim is to save you from lots...

The enveloping method helps you to draw proportions more accurately and is often used in figure drawing. In this lesson, I take you through a drawing of a simple figure using a white charcoal pencil on a black piece of paper.

However, you can...

Surface choices in most mediums are so varied nowadays that it can become a bit overwhelming. Pastel papers and surfaces are no exception!

Fortunately, we can simplify things a lot by looking at the main categories and skimming over the more...

I'd like to share with you five techniques and tips that form the backbone of my approach to drawing with coloured pencils.

I think drawing with coloured pencils is often made far more complicated than it needs to be. Especially for...