When the cat's away (from the studio)

We’ve been away in Europe for the school holidays, and as ever with family time, there’s no painting to be seen. The best I can usually manage in the chaos of sightseeing, making food and doing the laundry, is capturing photographs of things I’ve found interesting along the way. It’s hard not to think of certain views as great subjects for paintings, and I get caught up in thinking how I would render the evening light, or the movement of the water.

In an effort to not abandon my craft completely during this break, we grab some books from the library about painting, both in acrylics and in oils (which sometimes can be helpful with tips and tricks I haven’t thought of). I head to the sun lounger and start to work my way through the books. Tools of the trade, compositional elements, and techniques abound. It’s interesting and filling my head with new thoughts.

However, as I peruse the pages of successful artists, accomplished artworks and step-by-step guides, there’s a gr…