An eye for colour

There's an episode of 'The Fast Show' that reminds me of the problems facing new artists in any medium. Having been a high-school art teacher for 30 years, teaching both O-level and A-level students, the skit about the man who ends up painting everything 'black... black... BLACK!' shows how an over-excited beginner can end up using every colour and ending up with a muddy mess.



There is a tendency to want to use every colour available, every technique and every new material. There is nothing wrong with wanting to try something new, but it's a common error to add in everything possible until the work in question ends up as a bit of a kitchen sink effort.

Take time to work out one technique or style or colour combination before flying off to the next one. Sometimes the simplest things are the best.