Daniel J. Keys: My Favorite Art Materials...

Daniel J. Keys: My Favorite Art Materials...: A s an artist, I'm constantly being asked about my favorite art-brands and materials. There are so many wonderful products on the market...

This is a pretty handy blog, particularly the Rosemary& Co Brushes which has to be the best brush site I have ever found and its here in good old 'Blighty"!

Painting in Baku!

Just got back from Baku! ( yes I had to look it up too, and it's in Azerbaijan, which I also had to look up to see where I was actually going!!)
What a great city, Dubai on Steroids with amazing architecture...Zarah Hadid's new art gallery is a thing of pure beauty...

I haven't done any decorative painting for so many years, but I've decided I'm going to do a bit more from now on, and it's the perfect accompaniment to working on my own in the studio, being part of a team, and yet still being creative was great fun. My job was to paint the wallpaper below... The trouble was I only had 12 days to do it in, so I was relatively (still the perfectionist,) pleased considering the pressure. But I'm going to do more studio based hand painted wallpapers, decorative finishes and never say never, but I could be tempted into doing the odd mural again....it's been 20 yrs! It would have to really inspire me though, to tempt me. Anyway, if anyone hears or needs a one off bespoke piece of highly finished decorative walling or any kind of surface do let me know!


The finished room.... There were another 7 panels! 

A sample detail

Another new social blog!

About.me/nick.esch

Painting course

Just got back from teaching oil painting at Villa Gokcebel in Turkey..... A fantastic time was had and some really good work was produced by 6 complete novices! I shall post pics later, but suffice it to say that I believe everyone can learn to paint and draw really well, with the right encouragement and a few golden rules to follow, although there are no rights or wrongs in painting! That's what gives each artist his own language. I was so proud of my pupils, they were all up and at the canvases before breakfast and worked tirelessly all day! It's also fascinating how each persons character was so clearly visible in their results! That was something that took me by surprise, as I thought I would see a lot of similar work....not a bit of it! There will be another course running soon, and I may do a 4 or 5 day life painting course from a model, run at my studio in Somerset. And Andalusia in Spring, but I will post more details shortly...

Teaching

Am teaching oil painting techniques to beginners and intermediates. This will be the first of many at different locations, but always with a bit of luxury! Check out the news in the following website to see what to expect... http://www.villagokcebel.com

If you are interested in the future, let me know and I will be sure to add you to our mailing list. My motto is that an artist doesn't necessarily have to suffer in the pursuit of art.... you can also do it in great comfort! Will post how we get on and pics

A lovely drawing video worth looking at

I just thought i'd post this as I was mesmerised by the beauty and softness of this man David Kassan's work! I wish I could draw like this! watch

Carol Marine's Painting a Day: Blitzed

Carol Marine's Painting a Day: Blitzed: Click Here to Bid I apologize for taking so long to post! My kids here in NY are keeping me on my toes. I have to watch them like a haw...