Masterclass:

Patsy McArthur talks to Susie Hodge about her need for a snorkel when gathering reference material for her oil paintings

In Conversation:

Sylvia Paul talks to Caroline Saunders about Japanese influences and how she creates her collages

Practical painting and drawing:

• Paul Weaver advises on lighting and painting strategies for indoor scenes in watercolour
• This month's 60-minute painting challenge from Glyn Macey focusses on flowers. See reader's versions of the challenges here.
• Top tips for working in pastel from leading members of the Pastel Society
• Annie Williams shows how to produce semi-abstract, watercolour still-lifes
• Improve your oil painting with a new series from Martin Kinnear - this month Martin looks at skies and clouds
• Robert Dutton continues his series on black and white media with advice for working on a black background
• Why soft edges are important and avoiding harsh lines with Paul Talbot-Greaves. Plus a new exercise to follow.
• Charles Williams tests out the Jackson's Professional Watercolours
• Gathering reference materials for later paintings with Richard Pikesley
• 'C' is for contemporary in Julie Collins' A-Z of colour
• Soraya French creates visual effects with Montana Gold spray paints
• Katherine Tyrrell has tips on framing for the cost-conscious artist

Plus:

• Call for entries to our 2016 Open Art Competition
• Art Club of the Year 2016
• Your views
• The Art World
• Exhibitions
• Opportunities

All this and much more in the March issue of The Artist - out on January 29, click here to purchase