Gloria Page – Art Stamping Innovations: Carving Workshop DVD, price 32.95 dollars from www.ccpvideos.com

Gloria tells you all about how to carve from materials and tools to using the finished stamps. There is an awful lot to  learn in the instructional DVD. Learn how to carve a block ready for stamping, different ways of stamping, colour, design and so much more. An excellent book accompanies the DVD (sold separately).

Gloria brings out the fun in this craft that she fully explores to all its many advantages. From using simple erasers to carve a block to more sophisticated designs, Gloria shows all the family the real potential in art stamping.

Dayle Doroshow – International Inspirations in Polymer Clay Provence DVD, price 29.95 US dollars from www.ccpvideos.com

I love polymer clay. Years ago I used to supply many stores around the world with my range of polymer clay. I developed carpel tunnel syndrome and moved on, but I still like to dabble and polymer clay grew up in the in-between years and became an art form. So I am re-discovering the art. This DVD will introduce you to some of the possibilities of polymer clay for jewellery making. 

Dayle introduces you to the medium –  what it is, how to prepare it. She speaks clearly and slowly and is a good instructor. In this DVD she shows several ways of doing transfers and also makes some millefiori beads. The professional hints and tips are worthy. It is a wonderful DVD, that you will use often as it will inspire you on to more ideas and creations. I did not find it particularly reminiscent of Provence, but there you go – interpretation is a great thing.

Robbie Laird – Watercolor – Flowing Florals: The Informed, Intuitive Approach DVD, price 39.95 US dollars from www.ccpvideos.com

You will watch this video again and again as there is so much to learn. Once you master Robbie’s techniques you can apply them to any watercolour painting, in particular to flower and garden paintings. I think this DVD is brilliant. Robbie is a lovely lady, who shares her techniques and secrets with the viewer – so don’t miss out on this. 

I have been trying to master the art of watercolour painting for some years now – it’s a medium I love. However, like many who try it, I found watercolour a little fickle, a hit and miss medium, sometimes brilliant, sometimes so frustrating. Watching Robbie was a revelation – she actually knows how to control the medium and she’s worth her weight in gold. She is a superb instructor and takes you through the process like the water and colour flowing on her paper. It looks so easy and it is in some ways. Far easier than other methods I have tried, but it still takes practice – to know when that paper has just the right moisture on it to control the colour. I improved my watercolour technique one hundred per cent, just in my first attempt of doing it this way. So buy this innovative DVD, relax and learn to paint beautiful watercolours the Robbie Laird way. It’s great for all skill levels.

Hugh Greer Acrylic Landscape Painting DVD – Studies in Acrylics, price 39.95 US dollars from www.ccpvideos.com

Suitable for beginners to those with some experience, Hugh takes us on a journey to discover four paintings. Hugh demonstrates how to create hues and textures and use the full versatility of acrylic paint to recreate what you see outdoors and how to adjust that vision into a masterful, realistic painting.

Virginia Cobb Acrylic Abstract Painting: The Evolving Image DVD, price 49.95 US dollars from www.ccpvideos.com

In this fascinating video, Virginia Cobb paints three abstract paintings in acrylic. Seeing the paintings physically evolve is only part of this DVD, for it is in listening to Virginia speak about the process that is instructional of itself. Watch Virginia layer colour, take it off, texture it, paint over bits she does not like and finish not one but three paintings.

I loved this DVD. I admire Virginia’s work, she has a wonderful character. I learned so much from watching her paint. It’s all about understanding your medium, being open to possibilities, learning to look afresh and the most fun of it all – exploration. I would recommend this DVD to anyone interested in abstract art. It is suitable for all skill levels – there is always something to learn, a different way to see things, a new approach.