Niki Browes Editor
…strive to achieve the kind of painting that calls for your attention from across the room and delights the eye up close? In this issue, we show you how to achieve simple and efficient strategies for achieving that kind of powerful composition, whatever your subject, medium or style.
Get inspiration from, not one, but two portrait artists, Sarah Jane Moon and Florence Lee, who show you how they create their distinct – and very different – portraiture styles that will surely have the crowds mesmerised. Or do you fancy having a go at still life? Zahrah Azhar shows you how she painted Pakistani honey mangoes, whilst Andrew Talbot demonstrates how he uses his self-invented, lightweight Mahl stick to paint some beautiful peonies.
We also scored an exclusive interview with one of – if not the – best courtroom artists in the world. Priscilla Coleman has drawn everyone from Sir Paul McCartney to Amy Winehouse and, more recently, Prince Harry. Her lightning speed sketches are fantastic whilst her stories of days spent in court are simply fascinating. Catch up on page 32.
But if you want to excel in your art journey, there’s no better way to start than entering The British Art Prize. Open to everyone – whether you’re an amateur, emerging or a professional artist – all styles, media and techniques are considered. The competition offers an unprecedented level of national exposure over five major magazine brands and is the chance for, you, artists to sell your artwork to a combined audience of almost one million art lovers and collectors. There is also a whopping prize fund worth more than £10,000, which includes cash prizes, art vouchers and the chance to be included in an exhibition at the esteemed gallery@oxo early next year. Don’t delay, enter today! (See more on page 28).
For now: load your palette with ample paint, grab s
