and would like to introduce myself. My name is Chantal Hulsman. Since 2019, I've been enjoying life on the Costa Blanca in Spain! I've had a passion for drawing since high school. After taking a break for several years, I’ve recently rekindled my passion for acrylic painting 🎨 and charcoal & pastel drawing ✍🏼. I only have 1 New Year’s Resolution for 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣: Paint 🎨🖌️🫟 & Draw ✍🏼🖍️✏️ more! (And finish all my ongoing ideas & underpaintings 😅)

oil painting

Work in progress. Acrylic pens. Not sure what else to add. Suggestions please.

Hey artists I wanted to share something that's been really helpful for me when I'm stuck for painting ideas or need fresh inspiration. I've been building Pinterest boards of artists and subjects I'm drawn to. Some are specific artists like Edgar Payne or Peder Mørk Mønsted, and others are themed around subjects like winter paintings, autumn paintings, mountain art, or tree and forest paintings. There's also a general impressionist painters board when I want that looser, more atmospheric feel. The cool thing is, Pinterest makes it so easy to organise your inspiration. When you're scrolling, and something catches your eye, maybe it's the way someone painted morning light through trees, or how they simplified a mountain range, you just save it to the right board. Then, when I'm staring at a blank sketchbook with no ideas, I'll open up my "winter paintings" board or my Edgar Payne collection, and boom, instant direction. Plus, when you look back at what you've saved over time, patterns emerge. You start seeing what you're consistently drawn to, and that's your artistic style trying to tell you something. I recorded a quick Loom video walking through exactly how I use Pinterest, how I find artists, how I organise my boards, and how I actually use them when planning paintings. It's about 5 minutes, and if you've ever felt stuck or wondered how to develop your own style, give it a watch. You can check out my Pinterest boards here: https://nz.pinterest.com/samuel_earp_artist/_saved/ If you use Pinterest (or want to start), drop your link below! I'd love to see what artists and subjects you're drawn to. We might all find new inspiration in each other's boards. And if you don't use Pinterest yet, who's an artist you're most inspired by right now? Let me know if you have any questions! Cheers. Sam

Another painting from memory. I spent my teenage years on Lake Erie and one morning the water was like a smooth pane of glass. After many sketches, this 16 x 20 oil on canvas is my attempt to capture that morning.