Studio News w/e 5 June '26

Welcome to my first Studio News blog post since transferring my website over to Shopify!

There are benefits to you as a potential (or actual) customer, here are a couple:

• free shipping is in place on orders over £64 worldwide for the time being (until I set up accurate shipping details - hoping to do that this month)
• there is a permanent option to pay in instalments when you check-out, which I think is fabulous. It's all automated between you and the website, and having just listened to so many people wishing for that at my exhibition, I feel like the internet has waved it's magic wand and granted you an extra option. Yay!

This week has been one of making tweaks, and you'll see the website being modified as I get the hang of everything.

One of the tweaks has been setting up a BuyMeACoffee page as I've been asked by exhibition visitors who would like to support me. It also gives an alternative to my patron page on my previous website. Click the button below to have a browse:

It's a new month, and so we have Flouncily Fabulous-themed screen wallpapers now available: 

The discount code JUNE26 is valid for the whole month over on my ArtOnEverythingShop on Etsy so that you can receive the Flouncily Flamboyant-themed wallpapers for yourself. Just CLICK HERE or the image above to see the wallpapers and enter the code JUNE26 at checkout.

You'll see Flouncily Flamboyant-themed items appearing in the ArtOnEverythingShop as the month progresses. Candles, journals, mugs and coasters are all in the offing, so keep your eyes peeled.

I've been to a life drawing session this week too. In my usual 'warts and all' spirit of sharing, here are my drawings from that session:

Commencing with my usual page of 3 minute drawings done 'blind' (where I only look at the model, not the paper at all):

Then there was a 10 minute pose in charcoal:

Followed by a 20 minute pose drawn in charcoal:

The final longer pose was drawn in a range of grey pastels:

I rarely list my life drawings for sale immediately after drawing, but if any have caught your eye, do not hesitate to get in touch via my contact form.

I've also been to see the Creative Arts Festival student exhibition at the UHI Auchtertyre campus. It includes the paintings and course work for the students there and makes for a fascinating view. The exhibition runs Thursday-Saturday this week, and all the details can be found at this link.

That's all from me this week, have a wonderful weekend x

P.S. I'm often asked about the art materials I use in my practice. These are the materials I used for this week's life drawing session:

Surfaces:

• Derwent Sketch and Store A4 spiral-bound pad - I've had mine for years, but they are widely available, including some I recently found on eBay.
• Daler-Rowney pastel paper pad - click here for the link at Jacksons Art

Materials:

• Coates charcoal - click here for the link to Jacksons Art
• Farrel&Gold Black to White Shading Pastels - I got mine from The Works, but you'll find them elsewhere sometimes

I'm an affiliate of Jacksons Art, which means I earn a small amount every time a purchase is made using one of the above links at no additional cost to yourself. Thank you in advance for supporting me this way.