Flower Painting Through The Seasons by Ann Blockley DVD published by APV Films. Price 27.95 from www.apvfilms.co.uk

I had the book first and I was not sure about Ann’s style. This DVD brings it all to life and I appreciated far more her style and the use of colour, the loose backgrounds and the ‘tighter’ flowers. She’s a lovely lady and a very gifted watercolour artist that has found her own way to paint. The DVD is top quality and it is 90 minutes of excellent art instruction. At the end you should have the confidence to choose your own subjects and have a go. Well worthwhile.

Mackintosh A Modern Man DVD. ISBN 0206090006390, price 16.99 from www.beckmanndirect.com

I can highly recommend this DVD about Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It gives an insight to his life, the world around him, and of course into his marvellous vision and art. The Scottish architect is better loved now than ever before, his style is much more appreciated than in his own day. For all lovers of Mackintosh, this is a superb DVD that brings the man and his work to life.

The Real Cornwall DVD, ISBN 020609008073, price 14.99 from www.beckmanndirect.com

This is not so much a travel guide as a history of Cornwall, the county and its people, myth and legend. Its a fascinating guide to smuggling and folklore. It features, St. Ives including the Tate Gallery, Pencarrow  and unique geological features. It has something of that special quality that is Cornwall – just about everyone’s favourite English county.

Crawshaw Paints Constable Country DVD, published by Beckmann Visual Publishing. ISBN 020609008257, price 14.99 from www.beckmanndirect.com

Enjoy more than two hours in beautiful Constable country, little changed since his time, in the company of artist, Alwyn Crawshaw. Alwyn paints various scenes, mills churches, landscapes and water and instructs along the way. His easy and relaxed style will make you want to grab your paints and start straight away. I’d advise you to watch the DVD through once before you start to paint. This is a very good instructional DVD in which Alwyn paints in watercolour and oils.

Alwyn Crawshaw’s A Brush With Art, The Complete Watercolour Course Triple DVD, published by Beckmann. ISBN 020609005812, price 21.99 from www.beckmanndirect.com

I’m going to confess I have looked at Alwyn’s books before and never fancied his style. I have to revise that and go and

look again. Watching 300 minutes of Alwyn Crawshaw has been nothing but pure delight. I enjoyed every second of it. From his chatty style to his teaching and painting abilities, he makes this a pleasure to watch. The 3 DVD’s are taken from the Channel 4 series of the same name. You’ll learn so much if you are a beginner and there are even tips

for more advanced painters. Alwyn always starts with a drawing, which does put you at somewhat of a disadvantage perhaps, but you can apply what he is doing to your own drawings. It’s wonderful to watch him paint and to listen to the things he says. He’s a natural and I am converted into a big fan. There’s so much on these DVDs that although he makes it look simple, you will watch them more than once or twice. Great value.

In conjunction with the Anglia television series, this DVD includes two discs and includes the complete 7 part TV series. Watch Hazel on location as she travels and stops to paint and meets other artists, both beginners and accomplished. Since Hazel is the most enthusiastic painter I know, what you get from this is an urgency to paint. It’s not so much detailed instruction as watching Hazel and being completely inspired to pick up a paint brush. She completes many sketches throughout the course of the series.

Pouring Transparent Watercolor DVD with Jean Grastorf, published by North Light. ISBN 978-1-60061-677-8, price 29.99 US dollars from www.fwbookstore.com

In this wonderful art workshop DVD, Jean Grastorf, demonstrates her pouring technique. This is an interesting approach to watercolour painting. Jean is an innovative artist, one whom I admire and she is interesting to listen to. I learned a new technique from this DVD, and new techniques are always welcome to prevent an artist’s work from becoming stale. I think this is well worth watching.

Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner DVD by Mark Willenbrink, published by North Light. ISBN 978-1-60061-679-2, price 24.99 from www.fwbookstore.com

In this DVD, Mark shows simple steps for success in watercolour. It’s easy when you try to paint in watercolour for the first time , to be completely put off by the unpredictable nature that makes watercolour so wonderful. Follow the instructions and paint along with Mark to achieve two finished paintings that will encourage you to further experiment with watercolour.

Stephen demonstrates the different qualities of acrylic paint and shows you how to use them to create a landscape painting. You can apply this process to your own painting to make vivid paintings.

Jean Littlejohn Maker Profile DVD, price 20.oo from www.odysseyartvideos.com

I highly recommend this video about textile and fibre artist Jean Littlejohn. It gives such an amazing insight into Jean’s way of working that is essentially unique to her. You’ll extract so much from this. Looking at Jean’s sketchbooks and the way she puts her embroidered and embellished pieces together is so fascinating.