Residential Painting Workshop 2009!

After enjoying myself so much on this year's residential 'Painting Workhop' in Staithes, I'm happy to say I will be tutoring another next year.
The dates for the 3 day Workshop are Friday 17th July to Sunday 19th July inclusive.

If you would like more information, please contact Al Mines by telephone on +44 1947 841 840 or by email

I'm really looking forward to it, hope to see you there!

Quote of the Day

"A man who works with his hands is a labourer

A man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman

But a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist"

Author unknown, but kindly sent by Mr Baxter.

If you have any favourite quotes, please email them & we can add them to our 'Quotation Library'

NEW......... Online Shop!

I'm pleased to say that I've just opened an 'Online Shop' on my website.
As well as Limited Edition prints, there is now a selection of original paintings, gift vouchers & greetings cards to buy.

Please click on this link to view

Residential Workshop at Staithes 17th to 20th July 2008

Many thanks to all who attended the Workshop at Staithes over the weekend, not forgetting Pete of course!
I had a wonderful time, one I shall definitely remember.

These are some of the completed paintings, hope to see you all again soon.

To view in a larger format, please follow this link

Wyedale Hall Demonstration 14th July 2008

Many thanks for inviting me to give an Oil painting demonstration last monday. I really enjoyed your company & the interest everyone showed.

This is the completed painting

When I got the painting back in the studio I did the following:

- Added a little more detail to the cliffs by introducing more 'fissures' & highlights.

- Added more resolution to the cliff reflections.

- Increased highlights to the breaking waves.
To view a larger version of the painting, please click on the image

As always, if you would like to ask anything or comment, please do.

Hope to see you again.

Willington Art Group 10th July 2008

Thank you to everyone who attended the Workshop yesterday, I really enjoyed your company. The completed painting is shown below:

I decided to leave the sky exactly as it was, creating a 'moody feel' to the painting.

The breaking waves & light on the sea, were worked on using white Gouache tinted with Cerulean Blue & Raw Sienna.

A little 'dry brushwork' was used on the background sea to create a slightly hazy atmosphere.

(Click on the image to view a larger version of this painting on the 'Recent Additions' page of my site.)

Should you have any queries, please get in touch.

Residential Course, Higham Hall, The Lake District

Thank you to the York Group of Artists who invited me to Tutor their group at Higham Hall in the Lake District, last week.

I had a really enjoyable time in your company & hope you are pleased with the work you produced?

I Hope to be able to meet with you all again in the future.

Painting Trip in Holland

I have just spent four wonderful days with another four members of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, sailing from Heeg in Holland around the Ijsselmeer (inland sea).

Our generous hosts, Janette & Wieger Van Brue, from the De Scheepskamer Van Heeg Gallery, sailed the barge & made sure we never went hungry!!

During the trip we were accompanied by journalists from National & Local press, Radio & TV and several prestigious magazines, which has provided great advertising for the R.S.M.A.
Click here to view video

It was a wonderful experience, with plenty of paintings been produced.


An exhibition of our work will be held at the De Scheepskamer Van Heeg Gallery, in Heeg April 2009.