ARTIST’S HINTS AND TIPS

• Don’t use cheap materials even if you are just learning; the results may be inferior and can, as in my case, dampen one’s resolve to continue.

• Pay particular attention to composition, light and shade, lost and found edges. You will be scratching for a long time so get it right from the start.

• Once your picture is ready to be transferred onto the board sit with it awhile. I make a copy of the proposed artwork, and pin it to the wall in a place I pass every day. After a week or two I will know if I need to tweak the image, discard it or proceed as is.

• There will be a point in your work where you will feel like giving up. This is normal. Press on, break through the pain barrier and you will be rewarded.