Life can sort of get in the way of stuff, can't it! It certainly got in the way of me posting a regular blog! But don't be offended - just take heart from knowing that it's not just you with good intentions. Mind you - at the same time, don't you be damned by my inability to spin more than one plate at a time!

So Covid then, eh! One of the every few plus points of the last year or so has been the fact that I've been able to work on my painting and drawing technique. I've got an Instagram page going (philwhite.art) and I've completed a few small commissions. Oh - and there's an Etsy shop which I plan to expand in the coming months.

I feel across oil painting like I've not been before...I'm finding time to just develop my mark making - and I've even revisited Watercolours! YES - watercolours! the most difficult of all of them. And do you know what - with all of it, I've found the better the materials I use, the better the outcome of the work. I know - it's not rocket science is it....but it still took me a while.

And you Keep painting, you. If you're a newby - hang in there. Not every painting has to be a masterpiece. And if you're an expert - thanks you for the inspiration you've given me in the last 18 months. I couldn't have done it without you.

A lot has happened in three years! I've worn out brushes...got through sketchbooks - and discovered cold wax medium. All of which have helped keep the art ticking over although I do admit, there's been a change in the day job that's confused things a little.

I'm just moving into a dedicated studio space (I've got to share it with a large chest freezer but it doesn't seem to mind!) and I've got a feeling that 2020 will be a busy art year. I've got bookings in for demos and workshops - including one for 2021 - the contacts for which have come from this website. So THANKS for getting in touch. I'd be delighted to chat about coming along to your art group and I'm happy to come up with something interesting that will fill a gap in your well-organised schedule. It's always worth trying me at short notice too, if your expected artist has to let you down....

I've popped a few new pictures up here and there are many more to follow. Do pop back in a few weeks to see if I've managed to do that. I really MUST try harder. Festive cheer and Happy New Year to you!

It's another one of those items on the 'must do in 2016' list. After sorting a website - and getting a bit of lighting to paint by in the winter gloom - the third item on the list is to get a painting into one of the exhibitions at The Mall Galleries in London. http://www.mallgalleries.org.uk

The Mall Galleries have a fine selection of rooms and they have a good few opportunities to get involved across a year. This portrait is awaiting a decision - I'm expecting to hear at the weekend whether or not we've made it through pre-selection. Fingers crossed then! Ice Cream Boy is 30x30cm, Oils.

Errr - well, ME! We have this session close to where I work - and I can't get there every week - but it's great when I can. I did this at the first session of 2016. half an hour. Watercolour, and a bit of pencil.

Surely not! That really is a lot of 'must do stuff' completed in one short month of 2016....

Yep - after a lot of procrastination, I've jumped right in and purchased a light, with a daylight bulb and everything. It's one which is sold to go on an easel - but I've had it anywhere but so far as it's too bright to sit in front of the picture I've been working on.

It's a bit cold too. The bulb which comes as standard is very blue. Its daylight is a 6000 rating - I think I need something a little warmer. BUT - I've got it - I've used it and now there's no excuse for not painting.

The portrait that's currently underway (well almost finished perhaps?) needs to be submitted for a competition at The Mall Galleries in London by the end of January. I'll pop a picture on here once I'm happy that we ARE finished!

This is just a quick recommendation really....

About a year ago, we were in Skipton (Yorkshire, UK) and as I made a mad dash around a really nice art shop there, one of the things that got crammed into my basket was a 30 cm square 'natural linen' canvas board - made my the company Pebeo.

Well - a year on, and it's made it up on to the easel and a portrait is coming together rather nicely on it!

As far as I can see, they only come in a square format (but please do let me know if that's NOT the case) - and the surface is lovely. Transparent gesso, I think. It really takes the paint well.

....just saying!

...but here we are at last, with a website of sorts, at least!

Now - this is all part of that 'new year thing'. Some people want to give up drinking - others want to shed a few pounds. Me? I want to paint more!

I'll post what I can, when I think to do it - but in the mean time, if you'd like to reach out from the comfort of your own digital device to touch mine, that would be quite fantastic!

all the best to you and here's to a successful (if typo saturated?) 2016!