How to learn how to start sketching

March 29, 2020March 28, 2020 Alison G Saunders Art

As I’m sure you are all aware, here in the UK we are now on hard lock-down. Don’t let this frighten you. This is the perfect time to try something new, improve existing skills and remind yourself that you have skills you haven’t employed for some time. I am talking specifically about drawing. Regardless of what is going on outside, you all have pens, pencils and paper in the house. Even my husband, who advocates a paperless society (good luck with that living with an artist!), has pens, pencils and paper to hand. Learning to draw or improving those … Continue reading How to learn how to start sketching

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Covid – 19 How will you let it affect you?

March 22, 2020March 23, 2020 Alison G Saunders Art

How to make to most of the time Coronavirus Covid-19 will give us. I know; you are being inundated with emails from a plethora of companies telling you how they are going to support you through this crisis. Broadcasters will be supporting children at home by providing special TV programmes for them and many suppliers are telling you that they will do everything they can to continue to make deliveries. There are also people selling online courses at discount prices which look very attractive and artists are clubbing together selling their work at discount prices, claiming that once they have … Continue reading Covid – 19 How will you let it affect you?

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How to make Lino Prints

March 15, 2020March 14, 2020 Alison G Saunders Art

Lino printmaking has its roots in a cheap floor covering created in the 1800s. Previously wooden or metal blocks were used but they were expensive to buy and very time-consuming to make. Not only was lino cheaper to produce but it was an easier surface to carve, especially when warmed. Apparently, the word “linoleum” comes from combining the Latin word for flax “linum” with the Latin word for oil, “oleum” and was coined by Frederick Walton, the English manufacturer and inventor who invented Linoleum in 1863. Having started out as a cheap alternative in printmaking used in schools and colleges, … Continue reading How to make Lino Prints

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Blog security – Why signing up to receive a blog is not something to be scared of.

March 8, 2020March 8, 2020 Alison G Saunders Art

Understanding the risks when signing up to follow a blog. Continue reading Blog security – Why signing up to receive a blog is not something to be scared of.

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March Featured Artist

March 1, 2020February 29, 2020 Alison G Saunders Art

This months featured artist is a wonderful lady who I have only recently had the pleasure of meeting. Her story is really interesting as is her work. Your name? Gwynne Penny Where do you live? Shepperton, Surrey, UK What is your background? I studied Art and Ceramics at school and wanted to go to Art College, but my parents advised against it and steered me towards an office job. My first role was as a secretary in London, and I detested it, so I managed to make my way into the computer … Continue reading March Featured Artist

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Screen-printing more interesting uses.

February 23, 2020February 22, 2020 Alison G Saunders Art

Some more ways to make interesting screen prints. A few weeks ago I wrote about screen printing using stencils. This week is about producing painted mono-screenprints. The process is very similar to the stenciled screenprints but let me recap here. The first thing to do is tape up the edges of the screen. Using parcel tape, make sure that there is a strip of tape all around the inside edge of the screen to stop paint from collecting between the frame and the mesh which stops the paint from coming through the other side, which could damage your prints. Next … Continue reading Screen-printing more interesting uses.

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5 important lessons I learned from organising a professional group art exhibition.

February 16, 2020February 16, 2020 Alison G Saunders Art

I know I have written about putting on an exhibition before, but bear with me, this is different. In the past I have exhibited with large organisations where you pay for your space, hang your work and hope that people come and buy from you. I have also had played a major part in the running of art group exhibitions both here and in the USA, where I lived for a number of years. This past week however I put together an exhibition of eight professional artists. This kind of event I have not done before and I learned … Continue reading 5 important lessons I learned from organising a professional group art exhibition.

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The benefits from connecting with other artists.

February 9, 2020February 10, 2020 Alison G Saunders Art

As many of you already know, I set up a group last year called the Exhibition Collective. This group consists of over 60 artists throughout the UK who are either working as professional artists or working towards being professional artists. The idea behind the group is that we find suitable venues in which to hold events and invite the other members of the group to take part. It is a lot of work finding suitable venues; and difficult seeking out venues which are available at a reasonable price; finding dates which fit in around the other family responsibilities we all … Continue reading The benefits from connecting with other artists.