May on the Ridgeway by Vanessa Bavington

I like your storm - from this safe distance. How did you find your first experience of Artisan oils?

Hi Robert - they do smell deliciously like oil paints, and you can use white spirit with them, but I did find them a bit 'sticky' and difficult to clean brushes, even with the Artisan brush cleaner. I have used them since, and found that the fast dry medium makes this problem even worse, but does mean I can work on them within a day or so. I am thinking about using the 'Zest It' medium for mixing rather than the Artisan products. If you use them with palette knives they behave themselves far better. Just my opinion though. This is a favourite walk from Ashridge Park to Ivinghoe Beacon in the Chilterns, and the storms can be seen from a great distance away. In summer the hills are full of wild orchids - Heaven!