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Doug Swinton
Feb 10, 20233 min read
Revisiting "Steal Like An Artist" by Austin Kleon
I just revisited Austin Kleon’s wonderful book Steal Like An Artist. At about the same time I received an email asking questions that I...
1,485 views25 comments

Doug Swinton
Jan 7, 20235 min read
Self Critique, Beginning To End
Critiquing your own work can be hard. Understanding how to critique yourself can make things easier and end in a better result.
1,737 views27 comments

Doug Swinton
Dec 10, 20225 min read
10 New Year's Resolutions To Ponder For Artists
Here are 10 new years resolutions to think about or accomplish if you're an artist. Keep the motivation alive!
1,232 views26 comments


Doug Swinton
Oct 8, 20227 min read
Ten things to know about travelling and painting
This article is a guide on how to have a good painting trip if you're travelling. It goes through reminders, do's and don'ts, and mindset.
1,358 views26 comments

Doug Swinton
Aug 13, 20223 min read
7 kinds of fabric folds that are good for painting.
Well, there really no end to the types of folds fabric can knurl itself into but here I will distill it down to 7 that are the most...
2,256 views32 comments

Doug Swinton
Jul 4, 20224 min read
Refuelling The Creative Gas Tank.
This article teaches you a few ways to re-energize your creativity by seeing someone else perform their talents.
1,112 views20 comments

Doug Swinton
Jun 6, 20224 min read
My 5 Favourite Colour Mixes!
Shhhhh……Don’t tell anyone. This is just between us. Here are 5 top secret colour mixes that you may not have tried, but if you do they...
4,159 views33 comments


Doug Swinton
Mar 25, 20224 min read
7 Steps to paint with creative flow.
7 Steps to creative flow. Follow these steps and be free from overthinking placing you dead center in the creative zone.
2,293 views30 comments


Doug Swinton
Feb 9, 20223 min read
5 kinds of block-in methods and when to use them.
See the video about these techniques here --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2HbNsqfUk8 Sometimes it is hard to get motivated after the...
3,155 views28 comments


Doug Swinton
Dec 6, 20213 min read
10 Things to know before reworking a painting.
It's usually is a better idea to start from scratch. But if you are to rework a painting after a while, read this guide first.
1,468 views23 comments


Doug Swinton
Aug 9, 20215 min read
Harmony in Art.
See, the full meal deal is; You want to have a funky painting with lots of eye-popping creativity, and yet you want harmony in there too.
2,276 views33 comments


Doug Swinton
Jul 8, 20213 min read
When I met Harley Brown.
At great risk of sounding like the fan-boy I am, I would like to acknowledge a very special artist, whose name is Harley Brown.
397 views23 comments


Doug Swinton
Jun 1, 20214 min read
When to quit painting before this happens.
Knowing when to quit a painting can be like diffusing a bomb. One wrong move and the whole thing blows up before your eyes!
1,123 views24 comments

Doug Swinton
Mar 16, 20218 min read
Twilight, the magic of the Golden Hour and the Blue Hour
Bad reference = bad painting. With some timing and luck, here is another way to get some great shots for your next painting.
1,778 views21 comments


Doug Swinton
Jan 19, 20218 min read
Top ten things you can do to improve your art.
If you want to take your art up a flight of stairs to the next level here are some ideas that will help get you there.
2,477 views24 comments


Doug Swinton
Dec 20, 20201 min read
The History of Rudolph
Swinton's Holiday Newsletter As most of you who follow this newsletter know I have a thing for Santa paintings. As a kid, the night would...
292 views23 comments


Doug Swinton
Oct 30, 20205 min read
10 things that offset the start of a painting.
The start of a painting is sooooo important. It sets you up for success. If your start is good the chances are, you will have a good...
818 views38 comments

Doug Swinton
Aug 31, 20205 min read
10 things I Know About Painting Clouds
The sky is key to painting a believable landscape. It determines everything that is about to happen in your painting.
6,339 views23 comments


Doug Swinton
Jun 30, 20203 min read
10 Things About Painting With Red & White
Red is the colour of love, warmth and even aggression. It’s passionate and demands attention.
480 views23 comments


Doug Swinton
Jun 17, 20203 min read
Easy Guide to Starting a 20 Minute Painting Practice
Singing the Praises of Gouache Set up a space, just a small space, anywhere you can. Perhaps the kitchen or the dining room table, or...
725 views34 comments
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