ISSUE NO 1: SHIFTING HORIZONS (Artwork / Nic Wilson)

A Little Word From Me... 

 INTRO:

'Seeing The Landscape Through Marks'

Landscape art doesn’t begin with perfect lines or carefully planned scenes.

It begins with noticing — the kind of noticing that makes you pause for a moment and think,

Oh… that texture. That movement. That feeling.

Once you start paying attention like that, the landscape becomes less about “what it looks like” and more about “how it feels.”

And that’s where mark-making becomes powerful.

Every part of the landscape is made of marks:

the scratch of reeds in the wind,

the quick flick of a bird,

the soft sweep of a distant hill,

the broken, grainy texture of dry earth,

the shimmering dance of light on water.

When you look at the world this way — through textures, tones, and little gestures — you realise you already have everything you need to create expressive, atmospheric landscapes.

You’re not copying a view.

You’re responding to it.

Image: Jessica Zoob

This month, I want to invite you to create with a sense of play and possibility.

To try new tools, make unpredictable marks, explore new layers, and let yourself respond to the land without worrying if it’s “right.”

Because experimental mark-making isn’t about accuracy — it’s about energy, movement, and feeling.

Image: Jessica Zoo

Press, tap, scratch, sweep, smudge.

Try marks that feel bold and marks that feel quiet.

Let the landscape inspire how you move your hand. 

 Image: Chris Sims

You don’t need to produce a masterpiece.

You just need to begin.

One mark will lead to another.

One playful experiment will open the door to many more.

This is your chance to explore landscapes in a new, freer way — one that’s driven by curiosity, not perfection.

One that lets your ideas flow before you have time to second-guess them.

One that builds confidence as you start to recognise your own unique mark-making voice.

So take a breath, pick up whatever tool feels interesting, and make your first mark.

Let it be simple.

Let it be messy if it wants to be.

Let it be honest.

This is the start of a new way of seeing —

and a new way of creating.

Your landscapes begin now.

Not with rules, but with marks.

Sam x

DISCOVER HOW TO MOUNT WORK TO BOARD

 Watch your masterclass on mounting precious artwork on paper onto board, so that you can be free of glass.

This is great for really making use of all those studies we generate on paper and can be great in the lead up to gift giving time! 

ISSUE NO 1: SHIFTING HORIZONS 3 

YOUR MONTHLY 'STUDIO SHARE' SESSIONS 

We gather a couple of times a month for gentle, open studio sessions. You can paint, ask questions, share progress, or just enjoy being in creative company.

Add the dates to your diary so you don't miss out. Just follow the link at the set times and hit JOIN. This space is soft, warm and welcoming - a place to connect with your art and others walking the same creative path. 

This months calls are:

Friday 5th Dec 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Friday 12th Dec 1.30pm - 3.30pm

(Starting from January, LIVE STUDIO SHARES will be twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays)