Leisure Painter

Leisure Painter - the number one learn-to-paint magazine featuring practical painting and drawing features from top art tutors. Includes step-by-step tuition and easy-to-follow advice on how to draw and paint.

Welcome from the editor

Leisure Painter

Coming next month • Practise essential techniques as you draw and paint flowers, landscapes, butterflies, buildings and more in the August issue of Leisure Painter

Diary • IDEAS, NEWS AND ART CLUB EVENTS TO INSPIRE AND ENTERTAIN YOU THIS MONTH

Exhibitions • JANE STROUD RECOMMENDS

Letters • SHARE YOUR TIPS, EXPERIENCES, IDEAS AND QUESTIONS WITH OTHER READERS

Nature in detail • Part 1 Enjoy creating this detailed and colourful study of a bee using a variety of coloured pencil techniques, with Milly England

Painting project • Part 1 Follow Tony Underhill as he demonstrates how to use a summer holiday photo as the starting point for your own unique version of Lake District Cottages

Painting project • Part 2 Follow Mike Rollins as he paints his fantasy beach scene using acrylics

Explore sketchbooks

One line at a time • Part 1 Are you worrying about your drawing ability? Help is at hand as Claudia Myatt discusses five common problems and how to overcome them

A country stile • Paint along with Charles Evans as he produces a countryside scene bursting with summer sunshine

Light and shadow • Glass marbles are the perfect subject to study light and are very easy to set up. Here’s how to paint them outdoors using rich oil paints, with Valérie Pirlot

Step outside • Part 1 Paint confidently outdoors this summer. Here’s how to manage your expectations, relax and acclimatise to painting en plein air, by Jem Bowden

An affinity with acrylics • Part 7 How to develop detail, character and accuracy in your painting of a snowy owl, by Jackie Garner

Perfect view • Margaret Eggleton takes you through the process of painting a local landmark, from photographs and sketches to the finished watercolour painting

On a knife’s edge • Part 2 How to paint seascapes. Tim Fisher introduces us to a Starvast crown-shaped knife as he takes us through the painting of three seascapes

Beauty in the detail • Part 1 Practise a variety of watercolour techniques with Paul Hopkinson as he prepares to paint a shell on a sandy beach. This month, paint the background

Take your choice • How to choose and use the different viscosities of acrylics, by Peter Wood

UK ART SHOPS • Support your specialist art retailer by purchasing your materials from the shops listed here

ART BOX • Art products to help you develop your skills

Books • WHAT TO READ THIS MONTH

Online gallery • Jane Stroud’s selection of works from our PaintersOnline gallery