Leisure Painter

Leisure Painter - the number one learn-to-paint magazine featuring practical painting and drawing features from top art tutors. Includes step-by-step tuition and easy-to-follow advice on how to draw and paint.

Leisure Painter

Welcome

Letters • SHARE YOUR TIPS, EXPERIENCES, ARTWORK AND QUESTIONS WITH OTHER READERS

Diary • THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH

PRODUCT NEWS

Exhibitions • JANE STROUD RECOMMENDS

Essence of Nature

Art clubs • OVER TO YOU FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON CLUB EXHIBITIONS AND ACTIVITIES

A family history • Part 2 David Bellamy discusses how he completed an illustrated history of his grandfather's exploits to inspire you to create your own story

Painting project • Part 2 Draw and paint a scene from Scotney Castle using just a handful of colours, by Paul Clark

Make your mark • Discover the benefits of using knives to complete dynamic, textured and interesting paintings, with Tim Fisher

Step into the landscape • Part 3 How to create textures, shapes and marks that take your landscape painting to the next level, by DJ

Painting project

Composition • Part 4 In his final article in this series, Andy Walker discusses the importance of the border, and highlighting the focal point

An approach to portraiture • Catrin Treadwell discusses the thought processes and techniques she uses to paint portraits

Local life • SUMMER Linda Birch begins a seasonal look at life in her village, and offers a variety of tips and techniques for improving your own artwork

A considered approach • Part 2 In preparation for completing his painting of a street scene, Richard G Green makes colour studies and scales up his initial drawing

The essential sketchbook • Part 2 Don't be intimidated by ink, says Brian Smith. Practise with abandon and learn simple rules, and you're on your way

Develop your skills • Part 1 Using transport and vehicles as the theme, Tim O'Brien demonstrates how to draw perspective accurately

Summer colour • Develop skills and confidence as you paint this lively and colourful sunflower in watercolour, with Waltraud Nawratil

Oil painting for beginners • Part 8 Make colour plans and find out how a restricted palette might make your paintings more interesting, by Paul Minter

Seasonal colour • SUMMER Use your sketchbook to try these easy colour-mixing solutions for painting a simple summer landscape, with Colin Steed

UK ART SHOPS • Support your specialist art retailer by purchasing your materials from the shops listed here

Online gallery • Jane Stroud's selection of works from the Painters Online gallery

Books • WHAT TO READ THIS MONTH

Leisure Painter

WELCOME

Summer skies • Julie Collins shows you how to mix and modify colours for a variety of skies to use in your watercolour landscape paintings

Techniques for great skies • Tony White shares his methods for painting successful skies that will establish the mood and atmosphere of your watercolour paintings

Big grey skies • Winston Oh reveals the techniques he uses to paint interesting scenes in watercolour even when the skies are persistently grey