Win An Original Acrylic Painting On Box Canvas June's Paintig.

This months painting is now up and the winner will be drawn on the last day of June. I have picked a slighty diffrent subject this time. As you can see it's a flower study on box Canvas measuring 6" x 6" and ready to hang. Good luck!!

How to paint a car and make it disappear

I found this very interesting it's from a freinds blog, this woman has really used her imagination and created a cleaver illusion. It's well worth looking at!!

The Invisable Car

Beginners Guide To Watercolour Painting - What Materials To Buy.

I've had emails asking me do a simple guide to watercolour painting. The most common question being what paints, brushes and what paper should I be using.

I am going to keep this really simple for those starting out. Lets start with paper. There are so many types of paper on the market so I'm not going to go into all of them now, you can experiment with different supports as you develop your painting techniques. I would recommended using the best paper you can afford being thrifty on papers means poor results in my experience.

I would recommend Arche 140lb not surface. Available widely at most good art shops. It's a excellent paper to start out on and for tackling most subjects.

Watercolour Paints

Now we have our paper sorted we can move onto paints there are plenty of colours to choice from but I'm going to list a starters selection which will be more than adequate to get you up and running .

Cadmium Yellow Light
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Cadmium Red Medium
Alizarin Crimson
Burnt Sienna
Burnt Umber
Virdian
Coblat Blue
Ultramarine Blue

If there are any other colours you fancy and it's within your budget then buy them but what is listed above is enough to get started.

Brushes
Sable brushes are the best but expensive synthetic blends are alright ask at your art shop and they will be able to show you the choices they have. The sizes I would go for are

Wash brush 1"

Round No: 8

Round No: 4

Flat 0.50"

All the art materials listed here can be purchased online at http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/ I have order regularly with this company and never have any problems at all.

Win A Watercolour Monthly Draw Re-Starting

After a long absents from my blog I thought it was time to get the ball rolling again on my site. Personal issues have held me back for the past 12 months but with renewed vitality I want to continue where I left off.

Starting from June there will be a new original painting every month for subscribers to win. For those in the UK the painting will still be sent free of any postal charges. For those outside the UK who want to join in the painting will be sent at cost price.

The painting will be posted for viewing on June 1st and the draw will take as usual on the last day of the month. While every effort will be made to contact the monthly winner via email, if no contact is made within seven days the painting will be re-drawn. (hope all that makes sense) any quires please leave a message here and I will get back to you with an answer asap.

Along with the monthly draw there will be video demonstrations on how to paint everday objects, trees, boats, people in landscapes and any art, travel related subjects.

I look forward to getting this site up an running again, sharing ideas with fellow artists from around the world.

Watercolour Sketch Draw. 3 Winners!!! For 3 Paintings

Finally arrived back from Thailand on the 14th August. Today I have been going through my sketch book of paintings and found two others to accompany the one That I've have been showing on my blog for the last few months before I left for Thailand. The winners have been notified by email. I will ask those winners to leave a comment on my blog after receiving the art work to ease any doubts some of you have that I'm actually giving my work away.

The reason for three draws taking places is that I've been away from the UK and not been in my studio to send so I'm playing catch up!

Augusts draw will take place on the 31st. The painting will be posted soon.

Thailand Updates. Chiang Mai Watercolour Sketches

After nearly 3 months here in Thailand, painting and meeting excellent Thai artists I thought it was time to update my blog!! I have now moved to a better location where the Internet connection actually enables me to upload some images.I have been working on my waterclour sketching techniques to try and capture the fleeting street scenes here in Chiang Mai. Watercolour painting is quite hard work here, the paint dries so much quicker on the paper in climate so working fast is essential. This has helped me a lot in simplifying my sketching and made it more enjoyable for me by not getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.

By the end of this month I will be three months behind in the watercolour draw. At the end of August I will draw three winners all will receive a original watercolour from my studio in England. The paintings will be dispalyed here in the next few days.

A couple of watercolour sketches done on location. Working fast is essential due to the fast drying times.

Arrived In Chiang Mai

After a long journey hold ups and plane changes I finaly arrived in Chaing Mai Friday afternoon.




I left st Martins in beautiful sunshine, I was lucky to have aboat trip which took me around Tresco, Bryher then onto St Marys. Short video attached of that voyage to Penzance.

Preparing For Departure Too Chiang Mai - What Painting Materials Shall I Take??

Well, I'm just about ready to depart St Martins for Chiang Mai in Thailand. Schedule goes something like this! All being well I should arrive in Chiang Mai on Thursday afternoon.













Depart St Martins - 4.30pm Boat (Tuesday 13th May)
Arrive Penzance - 7.00pm

Depart Penzance - 10.55pm Train
Arrive Gatwick - 6.50am

Depart Gatwick - 9.40 am Plane
Arrive Muscat - 9.40 pm

Depart Muscat - 2.00 am Plane
Arrive Bangkok- 11.00 am

Depart Bangkok - 3.20pm Plane
Arrive Chiang Mai- 4.30pm (Thursday 15th May)


After that I'm going to need my bed for a good 12hr sleep! Of course your can fly direct from Gatwick to Bangkok but it was much more expensive so I went for the cheaper option of a longer stop over. For those that are interested in costs the flight was £490 inclusive of taxes.


What Painting Materials To Take

The essential items I need to start painting are ....

Paper
Paints
Stretcher Board
Pencil

I have given it a lot of thought about colours, which would be the best combination of watercolour paints to take with me. My Selection is listed below.

Virdian
Cobalt Blue
Cerulean Blue
Naples Yellow
Cadmium Yellow
Raw Sienna
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Cadmium Red
Magenta

Watercolour Paper

I will be painting on Arche 1401b not surface watercolour paper and when I eventually run out I will have to source local paper.

Chiang Mai is Thailand's Arts and Crafts capital. I know from research they make high quality hand made paper. I'm really hoping to find some watercolour paper that is hand produced. If I'm unable to find I know they have an art supplies shop in CM and I will just use whatever they have available.

I will post soon after arrival, including video and paintings worked there. Thanks for reading!!

May's watercolour posted

Please check my blog for this months watercolour, sorry about the late posting I've been so busy getting ready for the coming painting trip.

Also below is a comment from this Aprils watercolour winner!!


Dear Partick brilliant news that I have won the Cornish Fishing and Gear Scene. Had this been one of your E-bay works I would definitely have been bidding on it. To actually get it for free is an amazing bonus. It will soon be hanging in my little home in Spain alongside the others I have bought from you. I am looking forward to admiring it with Sangria in hand. Thank you so much!

Aprils Watercolour Draw Winner

April's watercolour draw has been drawn. I'm waiting a response from the winner and as soon as soon as they have replied more details will be posted. If there is no response within seven days I will make new draw.The painting for May will be posted here within the next two days!



Keep an eye out after the 14th May as I'm taking a painting trip to Thailand for a few months. The Monthly watercolour draw will still take place, and there will be lots of watercolours of different aspects of Thai life.



I will also post video of all the beautiful painting locations and demos too!

March's Watercolour Draw Winners Response

This months winner was from Edinburgh. After a delay of a week in getting the painting to the winner due to fog, so no flying in the Islands. I have just received this response below.


hi Patrick, thank-you for the March painting it is beautiful, in all my favourite colours. I just loved this one when I first saw it but never hoped I would own it, the scene is so tranquil I want to be there, you have captured it perfectly. I shall proudly hang it in my sitting room.thank-you again

Paint A Sky Today!!....Watercolour Demonstration "Blue Skies"

After This It's Your Turn To Get Painting.

Have a go at this sky painting demo then email me the results and with your permission we can post them here and get some feedback....don't hold back get painting!!

April's Watercolour Draw Painting SUBSCRIBE AND WIN IT Draw date 30th April

Subscribe to my watercolour updates and be automatically entered into my monthly watercolour draw. March's painting will be drawn on April 30th. This is a genuine offer to art lovers to win an original piece of Cornish art. Thanks for all those that have subscribe so far and shown an interest in my work.

March's Watercolour Draw Winner

March's watercolour draw has been drawn. I'm waiting a response from the winner and as soon as I heard back from the them more details will be posted. If there is no response within seven days I will make new draw.The painting for April will be posted here within the next two days!

The updates have been quite this month I've been busy getting my gallery ready for the coming season here in the Islands. This month there will be plenty of postings and demonstrations so keep your eye out for my updates in your mail box.

March Storm, St Martins, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall

Storm Pictures March 10th 2008, St Martins, Isles of Scilly

Lowertown, St Martins, Isles of Scilly

I took this picture around 7am this morning about 1hr after high water at this time we were getting gusts of around 60mph (for those with more accurate measurement's please correct me)
Click the images for larger picture

Looking Towards Roundisland Light House St Martins Isles of Scilly

Lowertown Beach Looking Towards Highertown St Martins Isles of Scilly

Goats Point St Martins Isles of Scilly

Below tells you a bit more about St Martins taken from our Bed & Breakfast brochure if anyone would like to discover this beautiful Island then please email me.

St Martins is the third largest and most northerly of the five inhabited islands that make up the Isles of Scilly. It is two miles long and half a mile wide and is home to about 95 residents. The islands are renowned for their beauty, peace and tranquillity and St Martins is especially known for its unspoilt and uncrowded white sandy beaches and varied landscape, from the far stretching sand flats to the rugged cliff tops at Daymark.St Martins has a wealth of activities to suit all interests. The crystal clear waters encourage a variety of water sports including canoeing and diving with qualified instructors from the Island’s Diving Centre. Boating is a way of life here and visitors can either hire their own boat or enjoy daily excursions to the four other inhabited islands. Also available are fishing trips, tours around the uninhabited islands, trips out to Bishop Rock Lighthouse, and the excitement of following the ‘Dolphin’ and ‘Galatea’ as their crews compete in the twice weekly inter-island gig rowing races. The breathtaking views, beautiful wild flowers and exotic plants make walking a pleasure and bird walks can be enjoyed with an RSPB guide. Sporting facilities on the Island also include an excellent tennis court.The Scillies are an artist’s paradise and a wide variety of arts and crafts are produced in studios on every island. St Martins has two art galleries and a gift shop. Other facilities on the Island include a Post Office, a bakery, a first class hotel, a family friendly pub and a tea room

http://www.lovecornishart.co.uk/

FRIGILIANA SPAIN, A BEAUTIFUL PART OF ANDALUCIA

13.25" X 9.50"

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Original watercolour by Patrick Ley-Greaves.

The village of Frigiliana, and particularly the historic part is a village of unparalleled beauty. The architecture recalls the pure Moorish style while respecting changes through the centuries. Thankfully, the people who live here enjoy showing their love for the town by their actions. They can be seen constantly white-washing their houses and cleaning their corners of the cobblestone streets and passageways, keeping them spotless in the same way as has been the custom for centuries. In the spring, the courtyards and patios and terraces are overflowing with flowers, which turn a stroll through town into a sweet-smelling dream.

http://www.lovecornishart.co.uk/

San Gimignano Tuscany Italy Watercolour

San Gimignano Tuscany Italy

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All artist should take a trip to Tuscany the light and colour is perfect for the watercolourist. When I have the chance I love to travel to Spain and Italy, lets up the chance will come around again soon!

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San Gimignano is a busy tourist town, acting as a magnet to daytrippers from all around Tuscany as well as those choosing to stay longer in this attractive little town . There are a handful of museums and galleries, but the town's main attractions are its architecture and atmosphere. The unique collection of towers and the winding lanes make it a charming destination for those seeking the heart of Tuscany.

http://www.lovecornishart.co.uk/

ST IVES, CORNWALL ORIGINAL WATERCOLOUR BY PATRICK LEY-GREAVES

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Original watercolour of St Ives in Cornwall. This is work brings back the feel of summer. The colourful fishing boats waiting to the sea to return, the reflections in the wet sand really sums up one of my favorite places to paint. It's a haven for artist and tourist alike.


St Ives Webcam
The Island Positioned on the NCI Coastwatch lookout on The Island, three cameras giving excellent views in three directions across St Ives Bay.The first points directly across St Ives Bay with views out to sea.The second looks towards the East towards Carbis Bay and Godrevey beyond.The third faces West with views of The Island and the coastline beyond.

Click ST Ives Webcam

http://www.lovecornishart.co.uk/

Original Watercolour by Patrick Ley-Greaves - March's Watercolour Draw Panting. "Lazy Day's" Cornwall

Subscribe to my watercolour updates and be automatically entered into my monthly watercolour draw. March's painting will be drawn on March 31st. This is a genuine offer to art lovers to win an original piece of Cornish art. Thanks for all those that have subscribe so far and shown an interest in my work.

February's Watercolour Draw Winner is from Cirencester

"Venice Canals"

My second watercolour draw has taken place with a winner from Cirencester. The winner has responded to my email and seemed delighted with the painting. There paiting will be sent tomorrow by Royal Mail Recorded Delivery. I will post there email after they have recieved there painting.

If you go too http://www.watercolour-blog.co.uk/ you can see March's painting. The draw for March will take place on the 31st. Good luck and thanks for your continued interest in my site.