What's New

These are the latest items on the website

Latest Pictures on the site

1		Abstract 1 By: Pete Smith
2		Abstract 2 By: Pete Smith
3		Abstract 3 By: Pete Smith
4		Nikki in class By: Pete Smith
5		Clothed model standing By: Pete Smith

Latest blog entries

OCA Degree - module 1
14/04/2010 - Back to it!
Finally got some time to start the OCA work again. Currently working on module 6 which has the theme of Spring. Ciorstan panted loads of bulbs last autumn so we have some nice flow ... - [more]
OCA Degree - module 1
18/11/2008 - More Abstract ideas
Digitally painted and trying to simulate a sunken relief effect. - [more]
OCA Degree - module 1
13/11/2008 - Module 2 - Autumn painting
This is version 3 of the digital preliminary work. - [more]
OCA Degree - module 1
13/11/2008 - Abstract studies
Starting to look at some abstract work which is completely new for me - [more]
OCA Degree - module 1
23/10/2008 - First painting of the course
Had a quick blast at digitally painting the drawing of me in the mirror. Did this purely from imagination - [more]

Latest Comments added

1		zinna: Nice looking. I like very much - posted 05/12/2009
2		Tristan Kennedy: serene! - posted 07/06/2005
3		Glenny: I love this painting so much that I have just bought it! This piece of work is exquisite and has fantastic visual impact when you see it in real life. The silhouette of the observatory works very well (I especially like the lit windows of the main building). There is a large area of darkness in this painting but this has been beautifully balanced by the pallet work, which adds a real sense of depth and dimensional texture. What more can I say, I just love this painting. - posted 23/10/2002
4		Ted Boynton: This is my third picture of Pete's work and really looks great next to the others .... Thanks again and the delivery was prompt and without any problems again. (sorry to all other potential buyers but I like his work folks!!) - posted 24/03/2002
5		Ted Boynton: This picture is so unique; the balance of the skyline using brush and foreground with palette knife is perfect : The skyline looks so vibrant (even better when you see it for real) : I love it so much I have bought another one of Pete's paintings : He is a star!!! - posted 12/03/2002

Latest updates to the site

• The second School of Art course - "The Intermediate Drawing Course" has now been added. Read more. Added Oct 9th 2008.
• Students can now ask questions about a course module. Questions will be answered by a course tutor. Added Sep 25th 2008.
• Subscription sign up is now instant. Added Sep 1st 2008.
• The learning guide has been updated to version 1.01 and a sample (0.6Mb PDF) added for guests to view . Added Aug 18th 2008.
• Users of the School of art can now get their certificate on-line when a course is completed (see example). Added Apr 3rd 2008.
• The guide to learning has been published in the School of Art section. This 35 page guide explains some of the issues faced when learning to draw and paint (particularly when self taught) and then introduces the Artist's Process™ and showing how the materials on the site cover the process. This guide is intended to be a useful pre-cursor to anyone taking any of the on-line courses. Added Dec 20th 2007.
• The first on-line course has been published in the School of Art section. The course consists of 20 modules with many illustrations, diagrams and step by step demonstrations and introduces a simple to use but effective drawing process. You can view a few sample pages from the course here (1.5Mb PDF). There course is available now to anyone with access to the School of Art. Added Dec 7th 2007.
• Users can get larger reference pictures to work from or print, and can auto include grids, golden section lines, or get the image in black and white. (See example) Added Sep 7th 2007.
• Improved picture upload, allowing users to upload larger files. The system will automatically make images of the appropriate size (400 pixel main picture, and 150 pixel thumbnail), and also adds an appropriate copyright message on the large image (see example). Added Sep 7th 2007.
• Added new reference photos (including female nude and pictures of Italy) and made it easier to find photos by adding categories, collections and keywords. Note, login (i.e. subscription to studio) required to view. Updated Sep 2nd 2007.
• Added 3 virtual models in the female clothed section and 14 in the female nude section. Note, login (i.e. subscription to studio) required to view. Added end of July 2007.
• Added 8 virtual models in the female clothed section. Note, login (i.e. subscription to studio) required to view. Added May 29/30th 2007.
• Added an artists blog to the site allowing artists to let people know what they are up to. Added May 23rd 2007.
• Artists can now add Work in Progress allowing people to see artwork in development. Note, login (i.e. subscription to studio) is required to add this. Added May 26th 2007.
• Added subscription details. . Added April 30th 2007.
• Order information is presented in more detail. Note - you need to be logged in to see this change on the 'My Account' page. Added April 6th 2007.
• The individual picture page has now been updated and has the virtual frameshop, livingroom and bedroom as tabs, along with the comments. See example. Added April 2007.
• Updated the virtual frameshop functionality to make it quicker and more effective. Owners of pictures can now save a default frameshop setting. See Example. Added April 2007.
• The Terms and conditions have been updated. Updated March 2007.

Plans for the site

• The next School of Art course will be "An introduction to colour".
• Add details about exhibitions and mark items as on exhibition.
• Subscribe to artists you like to get emails when new material is added.