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

Opportunities

Exhibitions • JANE STROUD RECOMMENDS

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

A family history • Part 1 David Bellamy discusses how he created an illustrated history of his grandfather's exploits to inspire you to initiate your own illustrated journals

Painting project • Part 1 Paul Clark uses a photograph of Scotney Castle as inspiration for his two-part project from a photograph. This month, be inspired by line and wash

A tapestry of wildflowers • Follow Rachel McNaughton step by step as you paint flowers on a loose wet-in-wet background

Painting project • Part 2 Follow the late Murray Ince step by step as he paints a sunny woodland scene and gently cascading water using gouache

Rosa Gallery Watercolours • Tim Fisher puts an exciting new range of watercolour through its paces to produce vibrant paintings using an array of techniques

Composition • Part 3 Andy Walker discusses the value of using thirds, fifths and rabatment in your paintings

Step into the landscape • Part 2 How to make the most of contrasting tonal values to paint successful landscapes, by DJ

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

Nature in close up • Loosen up and have fun painting a colourful ladybird on a natural wet-in-wet background, with Kerry Bennett

Studies in nature • More images from Kerry Bennett's gallery

Explore, develop, paint • Part 8 Capture light and playful dolphins in an underwater scene using a variety of acrylic techniques and a limited palette, by Elena Parashko

Step-by-step dolphin • In this exclusive digital extra, Elena Parashko demonstrates how to paint a dolphin in detail

A considered approach • Part 1 Preparation is key to watercolour painting from photographs. Over the next two issues, Richard G Green demonstrates how to tackle a subject, from thumbnails and tonal sketches to your final brushstroke

The essential sketchbook • Part 1 Brian Smith begins his series on working with your sketchbook with a look at what can be achieved with simple pencil lines and tone

The essential sketchbook • More images from Brian Smith's sketchbook

On the edge • Painting knifes allow you to create a vast range of painting styles. Follow Tim Fisher step by step to paint a bright and cheerful scene of beach huts using only painting knives

Books • WHAT TO READ THIS MONTH

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