A BRUSH WITH ART
12 x 30’ Also available on DVD
A Brush With Art is the original, and many regard it as the best, television learn-to-paint course. In the series, Alwyn removes the mystique of painting and
inspires even the most hesitant of beginners to “have a go”. Each of the twelve programmes is a self-contained lesson, shot in a different location. Alwyn demonstrates the different techniques
required to paint each location and puts them into practice as he paints the scene.
Shot entirely on location in Devon and Cornwall, the series is a complete watercolour course.
Programme 1 Introduction
Alwyn paints a boat, while introducing the series. At the end of the programme Alwyn reveals that he has only used two brushes, three colours, and an A4 pad to create the
picture that the audience has seen him paint in real time.
Programme 2 Washes and Mixing Colours
Alwyn uses only three colours, red, yellow and blue. He shows how to mix them to achieve any colour, and advises against using black or white paints. Washes are the
basic form and principle of painting in water colour. If correctly applied they are easy to achieve and during the first part of the programme Alwyn demonstrates various simple
ways of applying them. He then puts the techniques demonstrated into practice by painting the Haytor on Dartmoor.
Programme 3 Brushstrokes
A figure can be created in three simple strokes, a tree in leaf in a couple of sweeps. Before settling down to paint, Alwyn describes and demonstrates a variety of
brushstrokes which are then be put into action as he paints a cottage set among the rolling hills beneath Hound Tor.
Programme 4 Paper
Paper is as important as the paints and brushes - different papers create completely different effects. Alwyn demonstrates this by using cartridge paper, used mainly for
drawing, not painting, machine made and hand made paper. He paints the same location, a beach scene, twice, using different papers to demonstrate their different qualities.
Programme 5 Measuring and Focal Points
Alwyn chooses a scene of a church and village from across a river to explain the importance of focal points and measuring.
Programme 6 Pencil with Paint
Having shown how to sketch with pencils in the previous programme, this programme shows how to paint over them, creating tonal effects very simply. Shaldon Beach is the location.
Programme 7 Pen and Wash
Pen and wash is a very popular technique - drawing over the top of a painting can give it a lovely sparkle. Alwyn demonstrates this technique in the picturesque Cornish harbour
of Polperrow.
Programme 8 Still Life
Many painters prefer to start on still life drawings and in this programme, Alwyn shows how to set up a still life subject, and how to bring it alive with shadows, giving it a three
dimensional feel.
Programme 9 Water, Reflection and Trees
Alwyn demonstrates how to paint water, reflections and how to use different techniques to create different water surfaces. Exeter Quay is the location.
Programme 10 Animals and Pencil Sketching
Animals are very popular with leisure painters, but they can be difficult to draw. At Paignton Zoo Alwyn gets in among the larger animals and sketches some of them.
Programme 11 Cottages and Buildings, Windows and Skies
This programme starts in Alwyn's studio where he demonstrates how to paint windows
and skies. The lessons learnt are put into practice on location at Ide, a beautiful village in Devon.
Programme 12 Brixham Harbour
As Alwyn paints the last (and most complicated) picture, featuring boats, reflections and buildings in the distance he will remind the audience of some of the most useful
tips and techniques demonstrated in the previous eleven programmes.
Producer: InProduction Ltd.
Availability: Worldwide, all media.