Learn About Mixing Watercolour Paints

Mixing colours for a watercolour painting can be tricky. Indeed for those new to the medium it can even be a bit daunting. There are a few things you can do to make your life easier. At the same time…

Nest Recording for the BTO

You may already be aware of the volunteer work that Jo and myself undertake for the BTO Nest Record Scheme. Jo is a registered nest recorder and each year we try to find and monitor nests within our local area. With…

Work in Progress – Jenny Wren Painting

Once again we’ve started our volunteer nest recording work for the BTO. One bird we notice while we are out looking for and monitoring nests, is the wren. However, we’ve yet to find a lined nest this year so…

Fitting Swift Boxes to our House

For a couple of years now Jo and myself have been thinking about making and fitting swift boxes to our house. We have breeding swifts in our village and felt that boxes may be successful. Unfortunately…

Putting up a Barn Owl Box

I have always loved painting barn owls, they are stunning birds with such beautiful colouration in their feathers – particularly on their wings. These ramblings are about making and putting up a barn owl box…

How do I get Started with Watercolours?

Are you new to painting and don’t know where to start? Perhaps you want to try a new medium? Or maybe you are interested in learning a new style? Should you have answered yes to any of these questions…

How to Photograph Wildlife Close Up

I’ve always really wanted to take my own photographs of wildlife to use for reference photos for my paintings. But how to photograph wildlife close up on a budget, that was the question? Unfortunately…

Watercolour Tube or Pan Paints?

Watercolour tube or pan paints which is the best to use? As many of you know I use mostly half pan blocks of paint. These are almost always Winsor & Newton and both student and professional…

Marsh and Willow Tit Conservation

Six years ago I took a picture of a Marsh Tit at Tamar Lakes which I later painted. I had no idea that in 2019 I would be involved in a Marsh and Willow Tit conservation project. Or what that the subsequent…

Bird Nest Recording in a Local Wood

As a bit of background, Jo and I are registered nest recorders with the British Trust for Ornithology. For two years now we have undertaken bird nest recording for the BTO. This has involved us in monitoring…

I Can’t Draw! Does This Mean I Can’t Paint?

How do you paint in watercolour if you can’t draw? This can be a real hang up for people who think, if they can’t draw, they can’t paint. It is almost like you can’t be an artist and you are not allowed to paint…

All About Snow and Kingfishers

We’ve had a week focused on the weather. Unfortunately North Devon is not really set up for dealing with snow. Consequently things do tend to grind to a halt! My work fortunately enables me to stay at…