About Lesly Finn

I am English and emigrated to New Zealand with my husband in 1999, since when I have been able to pursue a long held dream of expressing myself with paint. Ideas for my work come from a variety of sources, including images from the natural world, dreams, emotions and memories. These are portrayed through a mix of colour, texture and contrast that evolve during the act of painting.

I enjoy drawing and pastel work, and paint with acrylic on canvas, often incorporating collage and textured elements. For me one of the many joys of painting is the continuous exploration and development of ideas, and my hope is that the resulting work will give pleasure and invite quiet contemplation.

- Lesly Finn

Painting With Acrylics Some Tips!

Acrylic paints are not that easy to get used to … at least that’s what I found when I started with them. They dry very quickly so paint often gets wasted, they can ruin your brushes and the ‘covering power’ of different colours varies quite enormously. So I thought that I would post a few general tips for using acrylics …. things that I have read and tried out that worked, and other things that I have found out through trial and error!

Follow this link to read more of this article along with a step by step acrylic painting tutorial by Lesly Finn...

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Learning how to draw cars is a very popular hobby as of late, so I decided to dedicate a post that lists some great resources online to help you learn how to draw cars fast. The following links include free step by step drawing tutorials of race cars, sports cars and other great tips for car drawing enthusiasts.

Click here to learn how to draw cars online...

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Painting by Pamela Miller

About Pamela E. Miller Contemporary Art

“By cultivating the beautiful we scatter the seeds of heavenly flowers, as by doing good we cultivate those that belong to humanity” -Robert Heinlein

These are just a few words that I like to live by. I feel that creating art is a way of sharing your soul with others. As you will see in my artwork: sometimes I am very flamboyant and always colorful, sometimes confidant and peaceful, other times angry or chaotic. I think all of my emotions; passions come out in my works. Sometimes I layer it on thick (paint and words) and other times I flirt with the canvas with light feathery strokes. My art reflects my beliefs in love, warmth, generosity, loyalty, and honesty. I’m inspired by science, fantasy, martial arts, architecture, and nature (especially water).

Click here to read this interview...

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"At the Dock" - By Brian Rice

Brian has no formal training in art. He is self taught and learns most from a careful observation of the order and design of the natural world . He believes that “nature is the artwork of a creator/master artist who displays a wisdom and a genius that we have only begun to understand”. His focus is to create art that will cause the soul to search for a deeper meaning in an increasingly chaotic world.

He started striving for a photo realism style in the 1990’s and achieved it to some degree, but, he found the style did not evoke much emotion and set out on a journey to find a style that was realistic but, with a much looser impressionistic approach.

Brian got the idea for this painting while on vacation in Newfoundland. The quiet and serenity of this area was what he wanted to capture in the painting...

Click here to view this acrylic painting lesson...

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By Richard Ancheta

I just added a new painting demonstration to my blog by the very talented artist Richard Ancheta.

Richard Ancheta first began to paint at the age of 12 years old and took painting lessons with well known Filipino artist and illustrators. His devotion and vision as an artist are promising. He studied Multimedia Design at Montreal International Academy of Design. Richard works in various mediums: oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel and charcoal. His works have been featured in newspapers, magazines and books. He boast 20 years of experience in painting, illustration, advertising and graphic work.

Click here to view the oil painting lesson...

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Karin Wells is an artist of amazing versatility. She graduated with honors from both the New England School of Art and Design, Boston, 1965, and the Butera School of Art, Boston, 1986. Karin has enjoyed a career as an award-winning graphic designer, illustrator and sign painter. She also taught Life Drawing and Painting for many years. She has most recently studied for three years at The New England School of Classical Painting in Greenfield, New Hampshire, under the direction of Numael Pulido.

"I enjoy working with traditional oil paint on linen canvas. The Old Masters take my breath away and when I look at what they have done with this traditional medium, it gives me endless inspiration to learn more."

Click here to read this artist interview

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Image Copyright Elin Pendleton

Here's a great new demo by artist Elin Pendleton.  The title of this oil painting lesson is "Painting Horses in Landscape with Figures".  This painting lesson will show how Elin moves from an original idea, through the entire process as she paints an equine subject in her studio.

Follow this link to view the oil painting lesson...

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Reflections of Pink and Green

I have a wonderful step by step painting demonstration to share with you today.  It is another beautiful work by artist Lorraine Vatcher.  The title of this painting is "Reflections of Pink and Green”. 

Click here to view the acrylic painting demo...

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Hi All,

Just wanted to share a new step by step oil painting demonstration that was created by the very talented artist Jennifer Young. 

The title of the painting is "Vineyard Patterns"...

Jennifer Young is a professional artist from Richmond, Virginia, most known for her vibrant landscape paintings of France, Italy, and the American South. She is inspired by the beauty she observes on her frequent travels, and paints on location as often as possible.

Click here to view the oil painting lesson

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JJ

New step by step acrylic painting lesson by artist Lorraine Vatcher.  The title of this painting is "Nature's Decorations".

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