Art

Morgan Penn is a London based Portrait Painter, presenter of BBC’s Bitesize short films on oil painting and winner of BBC’s flagship TV arts programme Star Portraits. Penn’s work has been featured in all the major art magazines, newspapers and the National Portrait Gallery’s own publications and we just adore the humor

This June, we welcome Nanci-France-Vaz. A modern renaissance artist drawing inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelite and Naturalist periods of art, poetry, and classic literature, and film. Combining her strong foundation in life painting with imaginative backgrounds fusing classical with contemporary realism. 

Jenny Steele is a Scottish artist currently based in Manchester, UK whose practice is motivated by 20th century architecture and design producing site-specific artwork, textiles, sculpture, printmaking and events.Jenny explores the cross-over between crafts, architecture, design and fine art wonderfully, producing striking pieces that define spaces.

We have put together a list of current and future T.V Series, Documentaries and Films that will inspire and entertain any creatives out there! 

EVENTS & FEATURES

We are all more than ready for creativity and inspiration this year. To help you, we have begun collating Arts & Culture events that are happening during 2022 (continually updated) we hope this gives you plenty of opportunities to quench your creative thirst!

EVENTS & FEATURES

We take a look at two very different projects that show how art is used to shine a spotlight and gain valuable support for charities within our own communities.

Our episode shows you how to create texture using non-specialist supplies such as sponges, rock salt and clingfilm.

MATERIALS & TECHNIQUES

It’s that time of year where the nights are drawing in! However it doesn’t have to be all gloomy when we can open up our studios or kitchen tables to the Arts and Crafts any time of the year, but especially for Christmas!

Our friends at Winsor & Newton have released a very useful guide explaining the time it takes for their paints to dry:

Please note this guide is time before paint is dry to the touch. Oil paint must be fully dry before varnishing, usually between 3-6 months.

Contemporary artist Carla Raads, based in Lytham St.Annes, joins us for Artist Interviews this month. We explore her artistic background and unique painting technique. Alongside this Blog 'Artist Interview' we have the first in our new 'Artist Signature Series' over on YouTube, giving you a unique visual insight into Carla's artwork and her painting technique:

We are so excited to get back into galleries and museums! It has been too long without a physical connection to masterpieces and new exciting artwork, giving us  inspiration, a chance to network, to learn new techniques and get us motivated to create something new. Like opening a box of chocolates, where do you start?! We have collated a list of all new UK exhibitions starting with June 21 to help you plan your visits, which we will continue to update....happy viewing!

John is a contemporary artist based in the city of Liverpool, growing up in Kirkby, he was extremely proficient in art and loved it during his time at school, he did not consider making it a career until his road to recovery lead him back to his childhood passion......

Garth Gratrix, a Blackpool based Contemporary queer artist, curator & director who successfully established the only contemporary studio within Lancashire coastline and whose work represents how his choices are influenced by his own queer identity.

MATERIALS & TECHNIQUES

All great art starts with a sketch 

Picasso owned an impressive 175 sketchbooks filled with ideas at the time of his death. Pencils are a great way to sketch ideas quickly or make beautiful, detailed drawings. Using a good range of graphite pencils allows you to explore a broad tonal value and achieve varying results.

 

Ellie Jakeman is an artist deeply connected to her home town of Blackpool. After studying at Blackpool School of Arts and Manchester Metropolitan University, Ellie became a teacher, developing curriculum across Textiles through to Fine Art. 

 

It's that time of year where heading to a museum or gallery is the perfect way to get out of the weather, here are some fantastic exhibition suggestions for you to visit.

The Big Draw Festival is huge, four million people participate each year around the world. Draw more and be creative!

The FAM Festival is hosting its first year at the famous Winter Gardens in Blackpool, we are excited to see the creativity of the event unfold.

Looking for vibrant, strong and smooth pencils? Discover why the Derwent Procolour pencils are just what you've been looking for!

The biggest William Blake exhibition in 20 years is coming to Tate Britain this September, you won't want to miss it.

On Tuesday we headed to the Football Is Art exhibition at the National Football Museum in Manchester, we thoroughly enjoyed it so thought we'd talk about it...

This summer the British Museum, London showcases the largest exhibition of manga ever held outside of Japan.

 

Back for a fourth series searching for the nation's best landscape painter. Aiming to challenge contestants artistic talent across various UK locations.

Can you challenge yourself to 31 days of ink drawings throughout October? Get your supplies ready and join the worldwide art event.

Now it's my turn! As I head across America and Canada, I'm taking you with me to check out art outside of our beloved U.K. Things are about to get exciting... 

About a year before I set out to America my Father was on a train back to Blackpool from London and ended up sat next to a young American (song by Bowie) who was travelling alone on his first trip outside of the USA. 

It would be tempting to say that whilst on the bus between Tulsa and Amarillo (Texas) that the bus driver took a wrong turn and had to stop and ask a local “is this the way to Amarillo?”

The year was 1972,  a young Mark Hudders (our Managing Director) clad in denim with shoulder length hair, was about to embark on a journey that many said was "NUTS".

Back in April we wrote about the winners of the Local Art Yorkshire competition, but where did it all begin for this group and what's happening now?

25 counties are taking part to celebrate their wild native plants through art. Each nation showcasing an exhibition for all to appreciate on the worldwide day of botanical art.

Customise your shoes with something unique. Make a statement with wearable art.

Artists are invited to submit works to best represent this years theme ‘Friends’,  
to exhibit alongside the Royal Society of Portrait Painters at their Annual Exhibition in London 2018.