With David’s expert tuition, I’m learning how to use perspective in my drawing and paint using bright colours with inks and watercolour. I’m thoroughly enjoying the sessions, and he ensures that my accessible needs are met every session as my sight had been affected in the past by cataracts.

Also I’m a real fan of his artwork and am very keen on his Giclee prints which look great on my wall. I thoroughly recommend Blind Create’s art sessions and David’s vibrant artwork, he's really helping me to feel excited about my own art and I’m really delighted to show my artwork on his website.

My sight has worsened over the years firstly due to astigmatism in both eyes, then cataracts. These were removed at a relatively young age and bilateral lens implanted, but opacity built up again on both eyes so I had LASIK surgery then later went for a few bouts of jag laser over the years. I still wear varifocals.

I really enjoyed learning how to paint dogs as I now have a little Cairn terrier. I will enjoy mixing acrylic paints to obtain various colours and textures which can be built up in fairly swift stages. I saw how David changed a blank page into a life like spaniel over zoom. It was phenomenal to observe.

I am now keen to purchase both a ‘fan’ and ‘stipple’ brush after David kindly showed me in the zoom lesson how to utilise these brushes to paint the dog’s fur, in various different directions in order to make it come alive. It was fascinating and mesmerising to see the animal take shape. I painted the dog in pastels as I watched David paint in acrylics. 🙌 David thank you for invigorating my old interest in art again.

I so appreciate your time and effort. I want to further progress and learn about the use of light and dark tones, textures, oils, pastels, inks and acrylics. I enjoyed the whole process, and it was terrific to learn from the comfort of my own home whilst watching David demonstrate. His classes have invigorated my love of art and I have been keen to purchase various giclee prints of his fantastic artwork, which arrives swiftly and beautifully packed. I enjoyed learning about perspective and I had fun drawing Brighton Pier. Yesterday I went to Brighton and took photos and went to an art gallery. These lessons have reignited my desire to draw and paint with David’s help.

Jemima continues to thoroughly enjoy the art tuition sessions from the moment Blind create launched.

Jemima has her dad’s help throughout every session, with choosing, mixing colour and applying the paint.

Jemima goes to school and looks forward to these art sessions afterwards which are almost every week. Recently I’ve been dressing up in costume to make the sessions more fun.

I sometimes wear funny hats and use cuddly toys as props with characters to make the sessions fun and engaging. Jemima sometimes puts on a hat or has a funny toy with her to make the session fun and interesting too.

This is what Jemima’s dad has said following the sessions which he’s very happy for me to share:

‘‘Many thanks for a great session Friday past, Jemima loved every minute. ‘‘ November 2021

‘‘Thank you so much for today. We both had a ball!!’’ October 2021

‘‘We had a great time last week , thank you for that. ‘‘ October 2021

Siblings and Young Carers' group session online using Zoom. Saturday Sept 19th 2020.

Sense UK @sensecharity

On Twitter this was the feedback from Sense about the 45 min art session that featured about 10 children between 6-12 who were mostly assisted at home. This was written about the session at 12.30pm Set 25, 2020 Sprout Social

3 Retweets. 17 Likes.

😋 Everyone on this Siblings and Young Carers group session made some *delicious* artwork exploring textures, patterns and contrasts in recycled materials to display their favourite foods! 🎨 Learn more: https://bit.ly/3krbeeA #CommunitiesCan

https://twitter.com/sensecharity

(Sense -

We believe no one with complex disabilities, and those who are deafblind, should be isolated, left out or unable to fulfil their potential.)

Overview of the art session:

David choose the theme for the group and prepared the session over 2 weeks liaising over zoom with the Creative staff team at Sense during early Septmeber. Sense asked David to do this art session to trial how successful it would be, and it was received very well. The group made a collage of their favourite meal/dish using the resources they have available at home during lockdown. They used a paper plate, colour paper, colouring pencils, acrylic paint, pens and sponges to print with, and brushes to paint with. The youngsters had lots of fun, and enjoyed drawing on they favourite food, then used various paint techniques to paint in various food choices. David was able to follow their progress and guide everyone during each step of the process. The session was hosted by Sense Arts working in collaboration with Sense Children’s Services.

Porthlen Conwal was painted for Karen.

This is her story:

Karen’s story: Special memories of Porthleven in Cornwall and Portland Bill.

This story came about when I was contacted by Karen who was interested in the image of Portland Bill. She had already bought a framed image but asked if I had any paintings of Pothleven.

Karen has very fond memories in Porthleven in Cornwall on her Honeymoon with her late husband. So after purchasing Portland Bill print form my store she said talked about Porthleven as being another special place for her. I didn’t have an artwork of this harbour but I offered to paint an image for her that she can buy as a framed print So Karen then describes why Porthleven is a special place for her.

In her words- ‘My husband died earlier this year so I am collecting prints/posters of our favourites places. We holidayed a lot in Dorset and Tim always hoped for a rough day or two so that he could get some photographs of the impressive seas and waves at Portland Bill. He did like it calm and sunny as well, so your painting is an ideal reminder.

Karen says ‘‘it’s 36 years this month that we had our honeymoon. We managed to get back there again some time later and it had obviously changed over the years, but I’ll always remember it as it was that first time, a quiet, quaint harbour town, so a harbour image would be just perfect.

It’s been so nice to actually communicate with a real person rather than just a website, and I imagine it must be satisfying for you as well at times to find out why people have bought your artwork.’

Karen attached some photos for me to select a good composition but I do agree with her that Portleven ‘has so many aspects to choose from - from the harbour out to sea, across the harbour side to side, back into the harbour from the sea - as well as the time of day and the weather! One thing that has particularly stayed with me about Porthleven is that it always seemed to be cool, fresh, and a bit misty when we walked down to the harbour first thing.’

So with the choice of viewpoints I decided on one of the harbour which Karen was delighted with:

Karen - ‘I recognise that view! That’s just wonderful! Thank you! I love the colours and the sense of life and movement, and the bright blue sky and fluffy clouds! A fresh, crisp walk by the harbour! ...We did go back to Porthleven a few years ago. It was much more ‘sea-sidey’ on that occasion as I remember, a lovely little place.’

Brixham home, South Devon (Personal commission) for Nico.

Nico’s story:

Mission - Painting of a Devon family home.

In December last year I received an email on my website from Nico who asked me if I could do a painting for Emily’s childhood family home in Brixham, south Devon.

Nico originated from Edinburgh hand Emily is from Devon, Brixham which is a stones throw away from Paignton where I was born.

Both Nico and Emily live and work in Vancouver.

Nico had a vision for a special kind of Birthday present fo Emily, but instead of looking for jewellery or something for her to wear, he set his mind on a special artwork that would mean a great deal to her ‘I'm looking to have a painting done of Emily’s childhood home which is in Brixham in Devon, I saw your page and couldn't believe the parallels! We only have photos of the house and I'd love to get it done by someone like yourself.’

Nico was able to ask Emily’s mum and sister for there support and advice about the house and family including Pickles their Cocker Spaniel. He had a firm idea of what he liked. Nico- Regarding format, I think just watercolour is better – I really want it to be bright and full of colour ideally. The house was super sentimental to her, always wanted to buy this house back so to immortalize it on paper with your art would be incredible.’

We arranged to chat on Zoom initially to meet, and this was then followed by a couple more zoom meets over the Christmas holidays, taking into account the time difference of 7 hours.

I put together a preliminary sketch for him: I produced an initial sketch of the house then progressed with the painting:

Nico - ‘The sketch is incredible, thank you. the position of the people, the depth of field etc is just perfect, exactly as I thought it would. It’s got way more character and charm than I originally thought too, thank you.

The Painting was made over 5 days before Christmas week and I took images of the work in progresy.

‘‘You hero! I really can’t extend my gratitude enough for your whole approach.’