Welcome to May (Patreon)

Hi everyone, welcome to May! I am currently in Portugal teaching a retreat and enjoying the warm weather. The last month has been a lovely feel of opening up as the days got lighter and my workload subsided a little. I’ve been enjoying lots of painting adventures that have been rolling out on Youtube in vlog form. Adding a Toms Studio calligraphy pen scribble to a few paintings and getting out into the garden a bit more. 

Thank you for your continued support, enthusiasm and wonderful input. Patreon is the absolute highlight of my working life and that is all because of YOU!

News

I’m in Portugal on my latest watercolour painting retreat. We will start announcing the 2027 dates and destinations which are going to offer some completely new painting topics as well as new countries to paint in! I am very excited and feel very lucky to call this my job. Paying Patrons will hear first about all of these retreats and therefore get the chance to book first!

We now have properly integrated Patreon and Discord the two services will automatically manage channel access and permissions. The Discord has always been a perk of the Sweet Pea, Cherry Blossom and Wild Rose tiers of membership. If you are a paid member of one of those tiers and you can't access the channels please make sure to check your accounts are synced properly on Patreon under the settings tab: On Patreon, go to 'Settings' > 'Apps' and you will see the Discord app. Disconnect and then reconnect to sync your account again.

However, it has made me think about replacing Discord with the Patreon 'chat' function. Back in the early days of Patreon they didn't have that function and instead suggested creators start a linked Discord. Last year Patreon introduced it's 'chat' equivalent which works pretty much the same way but is all in house. Let me know your experience of the Patreon 'chat' if you use it with other Patreon creators.

A lot of organised group Plein Air painting days are happening all over the place; run by art shops, art galleries, local artists…You might have seen my vlog on one I did recently. If you’re keen to paint alongside others just have a look online for group painting days. They’re often free to attend and are a brilliant way of stepping outside of your comfort zone around some like minded individuals. For example, Jacksons Art have more UK dates for this year.

Ant and I had a few nights stay at an amazing hand built wooden floating ‘pod’ on the north edge of Dartmoor called Lilypod. If you’re in need of a digital detox I can highly recommend it - there is no internet or phone signal and you are surrounded by nature, right on a beautiful lake. There are beavers and birds and all sorts of fish to keep you company. It’s also on the same plot of land as a local vineyard! What’s not to love?

My knee continues to slowly improve but I’m still being kept from the tennis court. Instead I am hacking away at my golf game and trying to remember that even Rory Mcilroy can hit a duff ball!

It’s my birthday on the 9th of May, it’s going to be a bit more lowkey than last years’ festival of 40 celebrations, but this year is Ant’s 40th in June so we are gearing up for some fun times for him! 

Livestream Dates and Times

I am in the UK on British Summer Time (BST). Please use this to help work out your timezone. https://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html

Watercolour Livestream class 

Saturday 16th May 7pm BST (Cherry Blossom)

Watercolour Hang out Dates (Cherry Blossom, Wild Rose)

 Tuesday 12th May 7pm BST

Thursday 21st May 7pm BST

You Pick, We Paint Results (please note these topics could show up across all the Youtube, Social Media or Patreon features including livestreams)

How to make folds on leaves

Nightingale bird

Alpine Helianthemums - Rock Roses

Meadowlarks

Bluebell wood scene

Room interiors

Maypole Scene