INSPIRATION

This forum is focussed on landscape painting. We recognise that our best paintings come from the places and scenes that we know, have a connection to and are inspired by. Be outdoors if you can, experiencing the landscapes you love, but if that’s not possible, read about them and re-visit your best memories and experiences of them. Painting pictures of places we don’t know is difficult and the results often lack a little ‘something.’ Those that don't paint but love to be in the landscape are very welcome too - we always want to hear from those that are inspired by their outdoor experiences.

INSTINCT

Our best work tends to flow when we paint in a way that feels natural and instinctive, not when we copy and imitate. All the teaching, instruction and discussion that we initiate and respond to through the Forum is geared towards helping you become better at painting instinctively – painting your way, not our way.

INDIVIDUALITY

While we appreciate the necessity and traditional significance of certain techniques in painting, particularly in watercolour, we do not subscribe to the notion of ‘right and wrong’ methods, techniques, styles, or items of equipment. Paint in the way that you feel most comfortable with and enables you to express yourself. Use the equipment that works best for you, not for the expectations and approval of others.

IMPROVEMENT

Through sharing and most importantly, practice, we become more skilful at expressing what we see and what we feel through our art. Our best learning comes through our own discovery and experimentation, not through imitation or by following rigid instruction and tuition; it may seem as though our progress is slower this way, but the skills we develop will be more resilient and versatile as a result. Quality equipment may help us to improve, but we understand that it is a minor contributor to our progress as artists.

INCLUSION

We are all creating art - some professionally, some for leisure - and are simply at different stages on our creative journeys. We appreciate each other’s creative endeavours, irrespective of the level of experience and skill. We consider the promotion of Elite, Master, or Global Superstar painters and their associated conventions, festivals and exhibitions to be an unhelpful development; it creates unrealistic benchmarks for those learning to paint, and, unintentionally, leads to a narrow experience of the watercolour medium.