Be a bad artist
How do you become a good artist? Be a bad one first. how-to-be-a-bad-artist.com shares arts and crafts techniques, reviews, creative writing and marketing advice.
Diane Ashmore is the author of this website and how-to-be-a-fine-artist.com.
She has studied Fine Art at Chelsea College of Art, London, UK, and English at Leeds University, Leeds, UK.
Featured artist - you could be next on how-to-be-a-fine-artist.com
Featured artist: Nicholas Stafford-Deitsch
Nicholas Stafford-Deitsch has spent a lot of time and effort creating The Toucan Feather, a book he describes as “an allegorical, inspirational novel that reveals a new symbol for people who care about the future of mankind – a sort of timely alternative to the Peace Sign”. I asked him to share the ideas behind the book and his illustrations… Read more about Nicholas Stafford-Deitsch on how-to-be-a-fine-artist.com…
Calling all artists. Want to showcase and promote your art and share your experiences with the world?
It is totally free to do so. Contact talk[at]dianeashmore[dot]com.
Inspiring places to visit
A visit to Derbyshire and Manchester
I stayed in self-catering accommodation when I visited Hadfield in Derbyshire. It is a great place to stay as you have access to walks (such as the Pennine Way) and it is a short train journey away from Manchester… Read more about Derbyshire…
Read the latest book reviews
Predictably Irrational, by Dan Ariely
Predictably Irrational surprised me, but also disappointed me. Not because of the writing, I thought it was a very engaging read, but because of the discoveries that the author made… Read more about Predictably Irrational…
Brush up your art skills with free advice and techniques
Using masking fluid with watercolors
I’ve tried to use masking fluid many times with varying degrees of success. The best type to use is colored (usually blue) so is easier to see to peel off the paper afterwards. I decided to make an art card based on Egyptian hieroglyphics that I’d seen at the British Museum. Read more about using masking fluid with watercolors…
Don't miss out on the latest chat about craft
An easy method of gilding
If you haven’t tried to gild anything before, imitation metal leaf is easy to use and is a lot less expensive than using real gold leaf. I wanted to gild a clay replica of a precious metal medieval European bookcover that I saw at the British Museum. Read more about metal leaf gilding…