Honouring the Humble Shopping List

This is a remarkable painting.

Why? Because this is the first paint along I filmed, having realised that I didn't need to stick to the simplicity of my face-to-face Paint Alongs. I could teach students to go further. The steps aren't harder - there are just a few more of them.

For years I'd been designing painting classes that could be taught in 3 hours. If I painted it alone it'd be 45 minutes, but with a group of 20+ beginners, in a class environment, it would take 3 hours.

This meant that class paintings had to be quite simple, usually with just one or two elements... to simplify the learning.

But one day I came home from the market and unpacked my basket on the bench... the limes, the tomatoes, the beetroot... and it looked so lovely I had to take a photo (ok, I took about ten). I knew I wanted to paint it, and I started simplifying it in my head, trying to figure out if I could teach it.

And then I had a blinding flash of the obvious.

It didn't need to be as simple as the paintings I taught live. When I film every step, it CAN take a little longer, I CAN explain more concepts and colour mixes. It's not 'harder', it just takes a little more effort.

So I practiced painting, planned it out, and recorded this Paint Along.

And I LOVE IT.

The results from students were lovely. And many commented that I opened their eyes to the beauty of all the simplest things.

So, settle in for a session or two with me to paint this lovely painting. You might end up hanging it in your kitchen.

It's definitely destined for a favourite spot.

But honestly, it's a wonderful learning curve to find yourself in.

Enjoy!

Anna