Australian How To Paint

Australian How To Paint magazine chooses a topic or style of art each issue and gives you a comprehensive guide for you to develop your skills. Over the series we will cover all major painting technques plus popular paint ideas.

Fine Artist, Tutor and Art Judge • Pencils have always been a part of my life

Blue Wrens • When I have a pencil in my hand, drawing the details of a quirky animal or bird, I am totally happy, in a meditative, calm, state where time stands still. I love to draw, every day. I love the look of detailed drawings. If given a few moments to do anything I like, I choose to draw.

Wonderful Wildlife • Talented South Australian artist Brenda Holden operates the Porter Street Wildlife Gallery in Goolwa and pursues an ongoing passion for painting wildlife subjects – particularly birds.

Cyclone the Macaw • Rich vibrant colours and stunning clarity make this delightful picture of a native bird seem almost real enough to sing and take flight.

Shining Bronze Cuckoo • This artist insists that his ‘loose’ approach to drawing should not be viewed as definitive; and stresses that there is no right or wrong process – whatever works for you is right, regardless of the techniques or opinions of others.

Passion for Detail • This richly talented Queensland artist listens to relaxing music while she paints. She values opportunities to look at her work with ‘fresh eyes’ in the early morning half light.

Country Cousins • The author of this demonstration likes to work in a clean, orderly environment with good quality materials – while her favourite music plays in the background.

Energy and Motion • In the booming coastal Queensland town of Hervey Bay, a richly talented artist is building a successful creative business based on his rare illustrative skills.

Sunflower Frenzy • Feeding time for two Rainbow Lorikeets provided the stunning subject for this extraordinary painting by a deeply talented Queensland artist with a passion for wildlife.

Picking Paints Contributed • Most of us have our favourite paints, but as it's very worthwhile to keep abreast of what's available, we're delighted to bring you this handy guide.

The Passionate Painter • Always creative, this artist is now the proud owner of her very own studio gallery.

Slim Pickings • A wonderful, simple painting of magpies scratching amongst the dry earth.

Relocation • Although currently on a ‘relocation’ theme – placing animals that were evicted from their natural environment in unnatural settings – this artist would love to illustrate a children’s book or start a new series of benefit art exhibitions.

Who Needs Trees? • This talented scratchboard artist always tries to spend some time just observing a piece of her work before deciding it is complete.