I am very excited to be able to share my free 90-minute oil eye painting virtual workshop from the Virtual Tattoo Gathering. This event is open to anyone who would like to push their artistic skills, develop their confidence in painting and maybe even try something new. No previous experience necessary. If you missed it live you can now click the link for the replay!

There were lots of workshops available over the weekend and many are available now to view at your leisure. In a time when many of us are feeling isolated, this is the perfect way to stay connected and inspired! Please check out the Virtual Tattoo Gathering website to see what they have to offer and if you would like to take my oil painting workshop you can take it whenever it suits you, you can even paint along again and again with different pictures if you get hooked as I have!

My studies from the workshop and the week of preparation are available to purchase in the SHOP.

One of the most special aspects of tattooing for me is the connection between the artist and the client. Painting from a photo, I thought would be a very solitary experience. But staring deep into the person’s eyes during the painting session connects me deeply to that person. Seeing their feelings, emotions and connecting with them on a deep level was a shock to me when it happened. The first time I experienced this I broke down in tears after finishing the painting, only to find out afterwards my muse had had years of abuse as a child. Painting eyes is captivating!

A huge thank you to everyone who took the workshop live. We had people of all abilities, everyone did an amazing job and I had wonderful feedback, Thank you!

Here is a recommended equipment list and the reference photo for you to download to print or view on your chosen device whilst painting.

EQUIPMENT LIST:
• The brand of oil paint I use is Old holland, they are expensive but they have a great amount of pigment in, so I can get very rich intense colours without piling on the paint! Something close to these will be great, I have put in brackets what I think could be equivalent in Georgian and some pics to try to help you colour match! I use mixed white, yellow medium, flesh tint, madder crimson lake deep extra (alizarin crimson), indigo extra (Prussian blue), burnt umber, French ultramarine light extra, transparent oxide yellow lake. I don’t use black, but it could be handy if your colours are a lot lighter than mine. You will also need some sort of Pallette.
• I use 1cm (no 4) Pro Arte Sterling short flat synthetic brush, and anything such as a 2 fine detail brush.
• 2 glass jam jars with tightly fitting lids, containing low odour solvent and paper towels. Please prepare to paint in a ventilated room.
• For the workshop timescale, I would recommend oil painting paper/ canvas/ panel treated with white gesso around 5×8 inches. If you are using loose oil painting paper sheets you may like to tape it to a board with masking tape.

Included here is the photo reference, I really hope you find this helpful and I can’t wait to get started!

Enjoy! Jo x