A Proven Business Strategy For Artists – Say NOW, not No!
Say “Now”, Not No I want to share something exciting that happened simply from me saying the word yes. I was approached to paint for an environmental cause, our waterways here in Wanaka New Zealand. New Zealand prides itself on pristine natural beauty. But how pristine is it really? A local environmental charitable organisation, Wai […]
DIY Palette Saver
DIY Palette Saver What do you do with your oil paint when you’re done painting whether in the studio, or Plein Air? If you’re anything like me, it breaks your heart to let all that beautiful paint go to waste! Here in this short blog entry, I want to show you a simple idea that […]
How to Light your Art Studio
Studio Lighting I still remember it like it was yesterday – I stepped into my dream studio – I was awe struck, impacted on such a deep level that over ten years later I can still feel this space. The only issue was, this studio wasn’t mine. It belonged to Russian born New Mexico artist, […]
Painting Autumn Trees
Ardrossan Street Autumn foliage makes for a spectacular subject, but gosh – is it tricky or what! In this blog post I want to share with you some approaches to composition, color and brushwork that will help next time you decide to tackle a subject like this. The Idea – Ardrossan StreetOne Autumn afternoon I […]
100 Trees Challenge – Skill Acquisition Through Repetition
100 Tress Challenge Hey Friend, In this blog I want to share with you a new challenge, something that I’m throwing myself into headfirst, and I’m hoping it will pay off – I’m also hoping you’ll join me… but read this first. The ChallengeRecently on Tisch Academy we jumped into the 100 heads challenge. I’m […]
One Sure-Fire Way to Improve Your Paintings – Color Studies!
Improve Your Paintings Hey friend, I want to share with you something that has made a lasting impact on me as an artist – Making Studies. I not only want to make the case for why you should consider doing this, but also give you some practical steps to get the ball rolling including a […]
Why Paint Plein Air? My Approach to Painting Outside
Why Paint Plein Air? I don’t know about you, but I get really excited about my art journey when I know I’m growing. It’s not about arriving at any particular place, it’s about seeing real results at the easel and that feeling of satisfaction that comes from incremental improvements. If I know this painting I’m […]
Essential Oil Painting Brushes: My Quick-Start Guide
When I first started oil painting, choosing brushes felt like guessing in the dark. There were so many options—flats, filberts, daggers, bristles, synthetics—and I had no idea what they all did. After years of experimenting, I’ve simplified my selection down to just a few essential brushes. Here’s what I’ve learned to help you start strong. […]
From Hobbyist to Pro: My Proven 3-Step Process
I wasn’t born into the art world. I didn’t have a gallery waiting for me or collectors lined up to buy my work. I started like most artists do — with a sketchbook, a love for painting, and absolutely no idea how to turn that passion into a career. But something changed. I built a […]
My Foundational Oil Paint Palette (and Why It Works)
Starting out with oil painting can feel overwhelming — so many colors, so many brands, and way too many opinions. I get it. When I began, I wanted to use everything. But over the years, I’ve pared it back to a core palette that gives me flexibility without the confusion. In this article, I’ll walk […]
