Picture Postcard from Greece

I'm feeling very lucky to be able to grab a few days in the sun, so we’ve come to Rhodes. It’s a great time to be here — not too hot, nor too busy. Being away from the studio doesn’t mean I leave my art at home. I remember, at Glasgow Art School, the tutors often talked about their ‘third eye’. (I kept very quiet at that point, not having a clue what they were talking about, and pretty sure I didn’t have one!)

Fifty years later, I now understand what they meant. Being an artist doesn’t stop when you’re not painting — my eyes are continually looking (not just seeing) at what’s around me, searching for sources, assessing the light, getting ideas for paintings or lessons. My brain holds memories of thousands of paintings, and that means wherever I look, I see a potential painting. So whenever you can, look at art magazines, art books, or — if you can — visit galleries. And I challenge you to look around you and see if you can mentally convert what you’re seeing into a painting: ‘figure in an interior’, ‘still life’, ‘landscape’, or whatever inspires you. Develop your third eye!

Here are a few photos of boats I snapped yesterday — have a go at sketching them. I’m going to — when I stop sunbathing! 😎 If you try it, post your pictures in Joan's Art Room, I’d love to see them!

I’ve also included my sketches below: you’ll see some pencil sketches showing different stages, and a version finished in permanent pen and watercolour too.