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Watercolour for Beginners: What You Actually Need (No Fluff)
Watercolour Painting For Beginners Starting watercolours for beginners can feel a bit overwhelming. You do a quick search and suddenly it looks like you need 24 paints, 10 brushes, three palettes, and paper that costs more than your weekly shop. It’s a lot—and honestly, it puts people off before they’ve even started. So let’s strip it right back. If you were coming to one of my classes tomorrow, here’s what I’d actually want you to have. Nothing more, nothing unnecessary—jus
China Jordan
18 hours ago4 min read


The Deadly Beauty of White Lead Paint (and Why Artists Loved It Anyway)
The Resurrected Christ - Rembrandt For hundreds of years, artists were willingly painting with something that was slowly poisoning them. Not metaphorically. Not in a tortured “art is pain” kind of way. I mean actual, genuine, toxic paint. White lead paint—one of the most important materials in art history and essential for painting itself —contains lead, a heavy metal that builds up in the body over time. And the worst part? Artists had no idea just how dangerous it was. They
China Jordan
Apr 23 min read


The Rise of Workplace Art Therapy: Why Creativity is Transforming Wellbeing at Work
Creativity At Work In recent years, the conversation around wellbeing at work has shifted dramatically. Gone are the days when employee wellbeing meant just offering gym discounts or free fruit in the office. Today, businesses are recognising something far more powerful: creativity. Team building workshops aren't just making bridges out of spagetti, and chatting about strategy that no-one cares about. Companies now value the benefits of fully structured corporate team build
China Jordan
Mar 204 min read


How Long Should It Take Me to Draw?
Yes, AI helped me visualise this Let’s Talk About Time Pacing as an Artist One of the biggest confidence issues I’m seeing in beginner artists at the moment is this idea that if you can’t draw fast , you must not be very good. How long should it take me to draw? Somewhere along the way, the internet has convinced people that if you’re not producing a perfectly realistic portrait in 15 minutes, while filming it from three angles and making it look effortless, then you’ve someh
China Jordan
Feb 74 min read


🎨 Top 8 London Art Fairs & Art Events to Visit in 2026.
London Art Fair Affordable Art Fair The Other Art Fair London Print Fair Wimbledon Art Fair Treasure House Fair Photo London Freize Art Fair London If you love discovering new artists, meeting creatives in person and soaking up London’s art scene, this year is stacked with unmissable events. From major international fairs to open-studio gems, here are the top art fairs London 2026 you should have in your diary. We've put them in date order so you can organise your calendar an
China Jordan
Jan 103 min read


Learn How To Draw
Learn How To Draw This is quite a big statement, How do I 'learn how to draw?'. It's something people ask me all the time, and the answer can be simple, or it can be complex, depending on who you ask! Over the past 6 years of teaching people how to draw , I've had to re-learn it myself so I can show others what it takes to learn how to draw through a different lens. I've been drawing for over 30 years, and I'm not good because I've got all of these years behind me (although i
China Jordan
May 14, 20256 min read


Creative Date Night Ideas: Making Art & Memories Together
Tired of the same old dinner-and-a-movie routine? Whether you're planning a romantic date, a first-time meet-up, or a fun night out with friends, an art class is the perfect way to break the ice, get creative, and share a few laughs. Plus, all our in-person classes include materials and a drink—so you can sip, chat, and create! Here’s why our art classes make the ultimate date night idea. Date Night Ideas 1. Drink & Draw – Relaxed, Fun, and a Little Boozy 📍 Balham & Crystal
China Jordan
Mar 12, 20252 min read


Why We Shouldn't Celebrate International Womens Day 2025
You know, I've been thinking about IWD a lot this past week and isn't it mad that we need to allocate a day to remind ourselves to...
China Jordan
Mar 8, 20254 min read


Top London Art Fairs 2025
London's art scene is one of the best in the world. Often ticketed, but offering a range of collections from small emerging artists to the big dogs like Picasso and Rembrandt. 2025 is set to be vibrant and filled to the brim with art so we've decided to write a blog to help you choose the best one to go to. Below is a curated list of notable art fairs scheduled throughout the year, highlighting their unique features, dates, and locations. If you do one thing this year, go to
China Jordan
Feb 27, 20254 min read


How To Use The Weather To Inspire Art
How the Weather Can Inspire Your Art There’s something about the weather that always seems to tug at our emotions, isn’t there? On...
China Jordan
Jan 7, 20253 min read


First Festive Workshop of 2024!
Sketching Success and Bauble Brilliance: A Creative Day with Project Recruit For Our First Festive Workshop! Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting an art workshop for a dynamic group of recruiters from a rapidly growing firm. As a team that only gets to meet in person once a month, they were looking for an experience that would inspire creativity, encourage collaboration, and, of course, be lots of fun. It's safe to say the class was a roaring success and let me show you
China Jordan
Nov 20, 20242 min read


5 Years Of ArtistAnd
On the 7th of September, 2024, we celebrated ArtistAnd's 5th birthday. That's 5 years of sharing art with the world, and 5 years of getting to know each and every one of you. What an absolute joy. This blog is a dedication to my penciliers and all the amazingness they bring to not only my life, but to their community too. Without the penciliers, we wouldn't have a community so I want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone that has made this freelance life so worth it. Over the
China Jordan
Oct 2, 20243 min read


Festive Workshops For The Office
A Creative Twist to Your Office Social This Christmas Festive Office Activity The festive season is fast approaching, and what better way to celebrate than with a fun, creative, and inclusive activity right in your office? Our Bauble Painting Workshop brings the joy of Christmas without the need for a religious focus, making it perfect for teams of all backgrounds. Whether your colleagues are seasoned artists or complete novices, this workshop offers an engaging way to expres
China Jordan
Sep 17, 20243 min read


Hen Party Activity Ideas
We don't just host corporate art workshops, we also host Hen Party events too. Our gorgeous bridal parties have the best time with us, as we teach them how to paint or how to draw. We can paint your bridal flowers, do some life drawing, or create memorable pieces of artwork to take home and feel proud of. Hen Party Activity Ideas Planning a hen party that’s unique, fun, and memorable can be quite the task. But if you’re looking to combine creativity with a touch of elegance,
China Jordan
Jul 15, 20243 min read


Explore Botanicals - The Workshop
On the 26th of May, I hosted a botanical workshop in Hoxton. The second of my day courses, ever, and it went so fast! One minute we were all introducing ourselves to one another, the next it was 5pm and ready to go home! Watercolour Art Class There is nothing better than sitting and creating art for 7 hours. Getting immersed into your artwork, feeling the difference between a quick sketch that you're not super happy about and something you've spent lots of time on. I personal
China Jordan
Jun 17, 20243 min read


5 Things I Wish I Knew When Learning How To Draw
Learning a new skill is never easy and if it is, I'm sure many people would dislike your natural talent. Nowadays, we have so many resources available to learn a new skill, you can literally do it on your fag break. Watch YouTube, subscribe to Skillshare or go to niche and unique classes.
China Jordan
May 28, 20243 min read


Do I Need To Go To Art School In Order To Become An Artist?
China Jordan - Artist Becoming an artist is a journey filled with creative exploration, self-discovery, and a continuous honing of skills. It's hard, confusing, and often quite a closed-off elitist society. In this digital age where information is readily accessible and opportunities for learning abound, the question arises: Do I need to go to art school to become an artist? It's a debate that sparks discussions among aspiring artists worldwide. Let's delve into the pros and
China Jordan
May 16, 20243 min read


Why Choose A Live Artist Instead Of A Caricature Artist?
Why Choose Live Portraits Over A Caricature Artist: 5 Reasons to Celebrate Authenticity Over Insecurity You're on the hunt for an artist for your event or wedding, or maybe you're just curious about what makes me different to a caricature artist? Maybe you're torn between a live portrait artist and a caricature artist? Let me share a little insight to help you make that choice a breeze! Portrait Artist Vs Caricature Artist Firstly, let me introduce myself. My name's China and
China Jordan
May 2, 20243 min read


Should I Take Painting Lessons?
Taking Painting Lessons I'm considering taking painting lessons, but where do I start? Are you considering taking up painting but hesitating because you're not sure if you'll be any good at it? Well, let's sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and chat about it. Whether you're a busy professional, a stay-at-home parent, or someone enjoying their golden years, the answer might surprise you: Yes, you should absolutely consider painting lessons! First things first, let's address the e
China Jordan
Apr 17, 20243 min read


Botanical Art Workshop London
Join our botanical art workshop full-day course in London to learn and explore botanicals through art, taste and other senses. Are you...
China Jordan
Apr 5, 20242 min read


Top 5 Different Ways To Shade
Try these 5 different ways to shade and let me know which ones you're favourite!
1. Smooth shading
2. Cross Hatching
3. One Direction
4. Stippling
5. Scribbling
China Jordan
Mar 14, 20243 min read


Best Wellbeing Provider In The Workplace
Are Awards Nights A Scam Or Am I Just A Sore Looser? Most people may be celebrating for being shortlisted for an award, but I seem to be...
China Jordan
Mar 14, 20245 min read


Painting Vs Drawing
What's the difference between painting and drawing? It's a good question you ask. Painting Vs Drawing - what is better for a beginner artist? A lot of people use blanket terms for both like, 'Oh I'm off to a painting class this weekend', when in reality they will only use pencil. Or they might say, 'Wow look at that drawing' and in fact, it's made using watercolours. Painting Vs Drawing In some ways, the two are the same but for me, it's all about the difference in the tools
China Jordan
Feb 8, 20244 min read


Learn How To Draw in 2024
Hey there, fellow human! New year, new you, right? This year, instead of the usual gym-membership-dust-gathering routine, let's shake things up. How about we unleash our inner Picasso, Michelangelo, or even just... well, messy-but-proud-of-it drawer? So, let's learn how to draw in 2024. I know, I know. The mere mention of "art" can send shivers down spines. Visions of charcoal-smudged fingers, garish landscapes that resemble exploded paint factories, and the crushing weight o
China Jordan
Jan 10, 20242 min read
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