Welcome to the first issue of Artside, the newsletter of From-Sketch-to-Oil-Painting.com.My reason for starting the site was to encourage people to start oil painting, my favoured method. I also enjoy other painting mediums like acrylics, watercolours and gouache. I'll be putting up tutorials on the last two mediums as time allows.

And where would we be without drawing? I've been drawing for longer than I can remember and eventually I became lucky enough to make my living with art. As far as oil painting goes I'm self-taught and have learned what I know the hard way. I want to pass on my knowledge and encourage others to paint for pleasure or profit or BOTH.

My hope for from-sketch-to-oil-painting.com is that my visitors pick up the paintbrush or pencil and create art for the first time, that others will develop their skills further and that the very accomplished will teach us all how to be better artists. I want people to have fun drawing and painting. I hope the site develops into a community of artists of all abilities, swapping stories and tips, and providing an encouraging environment.

You can add to this by uploading your own artwork, tips, techniques or even tutorials at the following link. Your Space

There is also the commercial side of art to consider.

The internet has made it possible for any artist to reach clients all over the world. A global reach makes it so much easier to find willing, warm customers who are ready to invest in a piece of original art, a print or greeting card. The web has made it possible for me to earn money and gain commissions I couldn't have possibly profited from without this amazing global reach. There is no reason why you can't do the same. Of course the quality of your work has to be there, whatever your genre or style. The effort must be made but perseverance triumphs over talent, It really does. I have friends who are great artists but barely sell.

Trying for a couple of months and then giving up will not lead to anything. I've put together a few articles about I make money with my art. I'll add more as time allows. Click on sell art online

Speaking of articles I've put this short explanation on colour together in answer to some of your questions.

Painting Terms.

I've been asked to clarify a few things about colour. Or more accurately, how I describe the colours and methods I use.

I use the words tone, value, tint and shade without explanation and this confuses some of you. Well, you're in good company. I've been painting for over twenty years and have heard different definitions to explain the same things over and over, especially where the words tone and value are concerned. Do a search for these terms related to painting and you will get artists telling you they are the same thing, others will say they are definitely not. Even art books written by experts sometimes disagree. One source I read recently defined value as "the degree of lightness and darkness within a colour." and tone as "The degree of lightness or darkness of a colour." What??!!!

I'll explain how I use these terms and that may help you when you're on my site.

It isn't something to get embroiled in or stressed about but it may help you to understand the tutorials a little better.

Value - The range of dark and light within either neutrals or colours. I tend to shy away from this word (unless I forget myself) because it is probably the most misunderstood and debated word used by painters. I actually witnessed a stand up argument at an art society between two middle aged art teachers over this.

Tone - A mixture of pure colours or hues. Hue meaning the highest chroma.

Simpler still - Straight out of the tube cobalt blue is the highest chroma (hue) of cobalt blue. Add another colour and it becomes a tone of cobalt blue and/or the other colour in the mixture. Tone is a good word and easily understood. How often do you mix paints looking for the exact colour you have in mind. I'd like to bet you do that more than using tints and shades. I know I do.

Shade is a pure colour (like cobalt blue again) mixed with black

Tint is a pure colour mixed with white. Mix either a tint or shade with any colour and that would become a tone.

To summarize a Hue mixed only with white or black is a pure tint or shade. Once another colour or grey is introduced, it becomes a Tone. This is how I use these terms.

None of this really matters even if you are a professional artist. I don't stand there analyzing whether or not I'm using tones, tints, shades or anything else. I just apply paints to surfaces that sometimes work and sometimes don't. Take the relaxed view and just get on with the work.

If you haven't taken a look at what's new on the site for a while see What's New I want to share these downloadable lessons with you. Andre Grobbler is a titan among oil painters and is providing downloads sharing his wealth of experience in various oil painting techniques and subjects, including painting trees, painting landscape and more. Painting seascape is my particular favourite. See this master painter's oil painting techniques And if you are interested in acrylics here's a wonderfully simple way to create beautiful acrylic paintings. A very well worked out acylic painting course Read my About Me page to see my journey and visit the site regularly for updated content and free tutorials.

Don't hesitate to reach me through the contact page here for any advice, suggestions, complaints or compliments. If I can do anything to improve your user experience, I will.

Before I go I'm going to do what I'm advised is a bad idea and recommend a website packed with far more art lessons on it than mine. Just don't get bowled over and abandon my little site :)

Art Instruction blog

Best Regards

Nick Warren.

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