Welcome to my Blog

I am pleased to welcome you to my blog and though I am a complete novice when it comes to blogging I am excited by the possibilities it presents and look forward to showing you my work, the work that some of my students produce and to answering any questions you may have about aspects of the work, techniques used or just discussing painting and drawing.

Monday 28 February 2011

Fine Art Tuition

Private lessons with Murray teaching on a one to one basis are available at the following rates,
One hour   - £16.00
Two hours - £28.00
Four hours - £50.00 (2 hours in the morning, 2 in the afternoon.  Please bring your own lunch).

Current special offer available for one to one tuition -
Four lots of two hour sessions for £90.00.

Current special offer for group tuition (2-3 people) -
Four lots of two hour sessions for £80.00 per person.

Murray also offers art group demonstrations all over the Island at the following prices,
One hour - £25.00 + travelling expenses
Two hours - £35.00 + travelling expenses
Please contact Murray regarding the costs for Mainland appointments.

Tutorial Subject Areas:

•            Drawing and Sketching
•            Landscape Painting
•            Seascape Painting
•            Still Life
•            Painting In Oils
•            Painting In Acrylics
•            Pastel Painting
•            Painting In Gouache
•            An Introduction To Water-colour
•            Greetings Cards

If you would like any further information regarding the above then please contact Murray using one of the methods below:

Address: Merrie-Bank, York Lane, Totland Bay, PO39 0ER
Tel no: (01983) 752059
e-mail: hello@murrayince.com

Earl Mountbatten Hospice Charity Art Auction



On a Friday afternoon I have the privilege of tutoring The Barbara Newman Art Group of Brighstone where we meet up and enjoy a two hour social painting session. Approximately once a month I do a relatively long demonstration and the rest of the time I do shorter demonstrations and help the members out with their individual projects or just chat about painting.

We have recently created a painting where the members of the group each had a section of painting (a couple of lucky ones did two pieces) to replicate using the medium of their choice. I selected the painting because, with the exception of the lower right hand corner there was something reasonably interesting to paint. Some sections were more detailed than others so we drew lots for who had which A4 sized section. The object of this exercise was to sharpen observation and more interestingly to see how individuals perceive colour and how the different mediums looked when put together as part of a whole. The painting consists of sixteen sections created using acrylics, pastels, watercolours and even oils.

The finished work will be displayed at various exhibitions on the Island, any one interested in owning this work are invited to send or give me closed bids, the highest bid procuring the work of art and the money raised will be given to The Mounbatten Hospice. The painting is 1140 x 850 unframed and is quite a conversation piece. Details of which piece is painted in what medium and by whom are below. If you are interested in owning this unique painting why not e-mail a bid to me today? All of the winning bid going to Mountbatten Hospice, ideal for exhibiting in a public place!

                         THE FLOWER SELLER AFTER LOUIS DE SCHRYVER 1897

Painted by members of The Barbara Newman Art Group




















THE ARTISTS AND THEIR SECTIONS OF THE PAINTING

Picture Framing and Beautiful Photographs

My very good friend Brian Gilbert has been framing my pictures for very nearly as long as I have been painting them. His shop 'Artframes' is in Avenue Road, Freshwater, Brian is a man of many talents and takes beautiful  and breathtaking photographs of the Isle of Wight landscape and seascapes. If you have a picture or painting to be framed Brian is your man, he has the skill of knowing what mounts and frames will set a picture off to it's best advantage, so if you are unsure of what you want he will be able to guide you. Brian also has recently equipped himself to be able to produce giclee prints and prints on canvas a very useful service for us artists.

I have put a link to Brians website www.isleofwightlandscapes.com not to be confused with www.isleofwightlandscapes.net which is the site of Robert Jones the Isle of Wight Landscape painter. On Brian's site you can view his fantastic photographs and buy prints from him online or visit his shop. In short if you have pictures to frame, or need a print or wish to buy a beautiful Island photograph you should visit Brian at Artframes. I reccommend you to have a look at his site.

Thursday 24 February 2011

Artist Materials / Supplies

I buy most of my art materials mail order from Great Art, it is well worth checking them out, they have a staggering range, the service is second to none and their prices are extremely difficult to beat also look out for their monthly special offers with up to 40% off some products.
www.greatart.co.uk

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Winsor and Newton's 'Artisan' water soluble oils

I am a devotee of Winsor and Newtons 'Artisan' water soluble oils, I started using them when they first appeared in Winsor and Newtons range back in 1998 and have used them ever since. My wife is asthmatic and the strong odour and fumes from both white spirit and distilled spirit of turpentine would cause her breathing difficulties. The innovative creation of an oil paint with all of the qualities of traditional oil paint but without the need for fumy thinners gave me a new lease of artistic life. Water can be used to thin the paint and I use a little soap and water to clean the brushes at the end of my painting session. Winsor and Newton produce a range of mediums and varnishes for use with 'Artisan' oils, full details of which can be viewed at www.winsornewton.com
If you are an artist who has avoided painting in oils because of the strong smell of thinners I urge you to have a go with 'Artisan', all of the oil paintings in my galleries are painted with this fantastic medium. Thank You to the geniuses at Winsor and Newton.                                            

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Learning To Draw or Paint

It's easy for me to sit here at my computer and say that any body can learn to draw and paint but I assure you they can! It is true that some people progress a little faster than others but the main requirements for creating art are non physical abilities such as observation which can be practiced, patience, if you don't already posess it can be gradually acquired and desire which if you want to have a go you already have. Technique is the other element which anybody can learn. My job is to show you how to achieve results that you will not have believed possible in such a short space of time and encourage you to go home and paint! The danger is that drawing and painting is addictive and you won't want to stop, the time flies by and you forget little things like going to bed. If you are interested in lessons then all the details are on my website :- www.murrayince.com

I will regularly upload photographs of artwork of mine and my students but please bear with me for now as Blogging is very new to me. I would be delighted to answer questions about painting or my work.