We hope you nd...

…an abundance of inspiration and encouragement in your August issue of Artists & Illustrators. Contemporary landscape artist Lucy Kent is this month’s cover artist, whose work focuses on light, colour and atmosphere. How charming is the cover image, Orange Bikini, featuring holidaymakers on the beach front? It’s certainly got us in the mood for our summer holidays, while the magazine is the perfect summer read to while away those hours in the sun.

Elsewhere, Lizet Dingemans explains Gestalt theory, an incredibly useful tool for your drawing practise, whilst Luis Morris demonstrates painting a dreamy canal scene in oils. We also interview six ‰rst-time exhibitors to the RA Summer Exhibition, billed as the world’s most joyful art experience because, quite literally, anyone can enter. All this and much, much more.

While we’re on the subject of art competitions, can I remind you this is the ‰nal call for entries to our annual British Art Prize 2022, in partnership with edding. It’s open to artists of all abilities, whether you’re an amateur, an emerging artist or a seasoned professional; all ideas, mediums and techniques will be considered. As well as a prize fund worth more than £15,000 the competition will provide winning artists with a platform to gain important exposure and recognition for their work, including their paintings being exhibited at a major London gallery. Last year’s winner Lotta Teale told us having her work exhibited like this was hugely important to her personally and professionally whilst the win has opened up new doors for her art career: “I would encourage all artists to apply,” she says. So don’t delay: get your entries in today!