“It’s not just a brush, it’s an experience.
A ritual. It’s life changing and it’s your life.”
Oliver Keighley
Gifts From The Fire – Design And Decoration
Decorating pots with a brush is something that frightens many potters. Perhaps, having spent time and energy making a pot they are afraid to spoil it with designs or decorations they are uncertain of, or perhaps they simply have no confidence in their ability to use a brush. (more…)
The Extended Point – Posara Brush
Having listened to renowned watercolourist, Sandra Strohschein, we have created a beautiful extended point brush. Acting as a rigger, but with a reservoir ‘belly’, the Posara Brush will soon become a favourite. It was such a joy this year to introduce a new brush into my set. Developed specifically by Rosemary at my request, I now have a new rigger that by design holds a great deal of water and pigment at the base, which allows me to carry a line forever. I expected a great rigger from this, but did not expect that this size 8 rigger had the capability of painting entire paintings all on its own. Here is an example of what I’m talking about: (more…)
Pocket Brushes For Urban Sketching
As an avid urban sketcher, I carry my sketching kit and sketchbook with me everywhere, so it’s important that I have a very efficient, lightweight but flexible selection of tools and materials. Having a pocket/reversible brush (or two) makes a lot of sense as they are compact and well protected. (more…)
The Next Generation Brush
The Eclipse Extra Long Comber is a synthetic fibre that against all odds performs like the mongoose of yesteryear - a firm springy base and a soft wispy tip that offers the flexibility to execute any style of painting. (more…)
Smooshing, Smudging, Tinting
I’ve designed this new range to be an inexpensive blending brush. The Smooshing Brush is made from a blend of different grades of badger hair. I’ve packed the hairs into the ferrule really tightly to create a dense brush, which will be firm to the touch, but still flexible. The beauty of the domed shape allows for a multitude of brush strokes. (more…)
When Faith And Art Intertwine – Iconography Through Art
There is a beautiful Hebrew tradition called, "Hiddur Mitzvah". This ancient practice, dating back to the Babylonian captivity, interprets a passage from the book of Exodus to mean that believers should glorify God, "in a beautiful way". In other words, art can and should be, an intimate act of worship. This profound concept inspires me daily. My faith and my art intertwine for a single purpose, and an audience of one. (more…)
Persevere, Persevere, Persevere!
Before I was a professional artist, I was an elite athlete in the sport of long track speed skating. My greatest obstacle (other than finding pants to fit my legs and rear end) was overcoming the struggle mentally, technically and physically to get better over the long term. As an athlete, you spend countless hours training and preparing for one or two big competitions. Sometimes things don’t quite come together on the big day. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you should quit. The ability to see the big picture for what it is, is paramount. (more…)
The Challenge Of Spring Greens
I love painting the fresh, bright greens of early springtime. With the first sniff of warmth in the air and a hint of green on the trees, I pack up my oils and favourite brushes from Rosemary’s Ivory Range and head to the woods to paint the bluebells. A couple of long filberts and a no.4 rigger are all I need for working on location. (more…)
Swipe And Slash – The Sword Liner
Studying at the Florence Academy of Art, there are many painting techniques to be mastered through intense practice and through following the methodology of the school. But there are also many things to be learned concerning one’s materials. For example, a great variety of edge qualities can be achieved in a painting simply by varying the kinds of brushes used—i.e. sable versus hog-hair. (more…)
