Karen Thomas
"How do you know when to stop?"
"Every painting that's ruined is preceded by these words ' I'll just do this'" Joseph Zbukvic This is one of the most common questions I...
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Karen Thomas
- Dec 4, 2019
- 3 min
What makes a good watercolour brush?
Around May last year, I started to feel the urge to change things up a little in the brushes department. I wasn't dissatisfied exactly,...
Karen Thomas
- Nov 22, 2019
- 2 min
Movement!
Without doubt, the number one question I get asked when people view my art is “how did you get so much movement?” I love this question...
Karen Thomas
- Oct 7, 2019
- 5 min
Why Do People Buy Art?
It’s a funny game sometimes, being an artist. Whether you exhibit your paintings on social media, through galleries, or stand alongside...
Karen Thomas
- Aug 29, 2019
- 2 min
Painting Holiday Part II - John Yardley
The second week at Dedham Hall was my yearly attendance alongside a group of fellow friends of John Yardley. This group have been...
Karen Thomas
- Aug 29, 2019
- 3 min
Painting Holiday Part I - Amanda Hyatt
I've just returned, refreshed from the most magical time at Dedham Hall. Those who follow my blog will know that this is one of my...
Karen Thomas
- May 28, 2019
- 2 min
A Dartmoor Weekend
Is there anything better than the great outdoors? Immersion in nature. A chance to escape the news. The bleating, harsh political voices...
Karen Thomas
- Apr 1, 2019
- 2 min
Ten Years
I was chatting to a fellow watercolorist this morning. Brief back-and-forth messages, every now and then, reassure me that we're all on...
Karen Thomas
- Mar 4, 2019
- 2 min
The Lion Sleeps tonight (in Bath!)
Back from a wonderful weekend at Bath Art Fair. I love the city of Bath, but it is the first time I've had the opportunity to stay for a...
Karen Thomas
- Jan 12, 2019
- 2 min
2019 Ahoy!
To my mind, a New Year is a shiny fresh start to be charged into with optimism, renewed energy, and a brand-spanking-new diary. ...
Karen Thomas
- Sep 6, 2018
- 2 min
Devon Open Studios
September rolls around, and artists from all over Devon throw open their studios, share some of their creative processes, and (usually)...
Karen Thomas
- Jun 7, 2018
- 3 min
"How long did that take you?"
Of all the questions I'm asked at shows, this is the one that crops up most often. If you think about it, it's a very natural and...
Karen Thomas
- May 23, 2018
- 1 min
A holiday ... painting
It might seem strange to you that I would choose to spend a break painting. I believe the term is ‘Busman’s Holiday’! When I’m painting...
Karen Thomas
- Feb 24, 2018
- 1 min
A Passion for Watercolour
I'm happy to say that the first couple of weeks of arrival of my new book, A Passion for Watercolour, has produced a wonderful response...
Karen Thomas
- Jan 28, 2018
- 1 min
This is the grin
This is why I paint. The feeling behind that grin. Not a good look, I’m weather bedraggled and woke up in the grip of a painting frenzy...
Karen Thomas
- Jan 8, 2018
- 2 min
Here's to a magic 2018
Happy New Year to one and all! I'm guessing I'm not alone in these feelings: New Years Eve comes along and the countdown approaches, and...
Karen Thomas
- Nov 3, 2017
- 2 min
Karen at Kigbeare
October was a busy month, but in a good way! I literally floated through two successful exhibitions - Art Under Glass at Avon Mill,...
Karen Thomas
- Sep 14, 2017
- 4 min
They say never meet your heroes ...
I'm excited. Nervous too. My friends will be rolling their eyes here because, conversationally, I've done this to death already. Next...
Karen Thomas
- Jun 6, 2017
- 3 min
A week with Herman Pekel
A handful of the worlds most celebrated watercolourists hail from Australia. One or two of them even brave our climate to come and show...
Karen Thomas
- Apr 19, 2017
- 2 min
A workshop with Jem Bowden
Every now and then, you get lucky enough to watch a new tradition being forged. A new name slot appear magically, Harry Potter-style,...