Tuesday Art Chat with Kerri

Tuesday Art Chat Podcast | Pet Portrait Series – Part 1 Have you ever been asked to create a pet portrait but weren't quite sure where to start? How much should you charge? What if the reference photograph is terrible? And should you take a deposit before you begin? In this episode of the Tuesday Art Chat Podcast, wildlife and nature artist Kerri Dixon shares her experiences creating commissio...

Have you ever spent hours adding beautiful details to a wildlife drawing, only to stand back and feel that something just isn't quite right? Sometimes creating more realistic artwork isn't about adding more detail or buying better pencils. It's about understanding a few important fundamentals that can make all the difference. In this episode of the Tuesday Art Chat Podcast , wildlife a...

Have you ever looked at an animal painting and felt an instant emotional connection? That's exactly what happened when I discovered the beautiful paintings of Victorian artist Briton Rivière (1840–1920) . Known for his extraordinary ability to capture the loyalty, personality and emotion of animals, particularly dogs, Rivière created paintings that went far beyond technical realism. His artwor...

Have you got paintings tucked away in a drawer because you don't think they're good enough to show anyone? Well, before you throw them away, think again! In this episode of the Tuesday Art Chat Podcast , wildlife artist and educator Kerri Dixon explores creative ways to turn your artwork, including unfinished paintings, practice pieces and even those not-so-successful experiments, into bea...

Beyond the Reference Photo: Creating Wildlife Art That Tells a Story Have you ever spotted a beautiful wildlife photograph and immediately thought, “I'd love to paint that!” ? But what if that photograph was just the beginning? In this episode of the Tuesday Art Chat Podcast , I'm exploring how researching our wildlife subjects can inspire more meaningful and creative artwork. Rather than...

Can a drawing really make a difference? In this episode of the Tuesday Art Chat Podcast , I’m exploring how wildlife artists can use the art we already love creating to raise awareness, tell the stories of threatened species and even support wildlife conservation. This topic was inspired by our latest Draw for Wildlife event, where 135 people came together online to draw a juvenile green sea turtl...

You’ve put down the final pastel pencil, stepped back from your painting and finally decided… It’s finished! But what happens next? In this episode of the Tuesday Art Chat Podcast , I’m talking about everything that happens after the last stroke — from deciding whether your artwork really is finished to protecting, storing, photographing and framing your soft pastel paintings. These are questions...

Kerri shares a practical book chat on Austin Kleon’s Keep Going , focusing on how artists can stay creative when time is tight, motivation dips, and life gets noisy. This episode is especially useful if you want simple, repeatable ways to keep making art without waiting for the perfect mood or perfect schedule. In this episode, Kerri explores how the book’s ideas apply to real artistic life, from...

Kerri Dixon takes listeners back to the 1800s for another Meet the Masters episode, focusing on Mary Cassatt and the practical lessons her work offers modern artists. The episode is especially useful for pastel artists, but the takeaways apply just as much to composition, mark making, and deciding where detail belongs. Kerri explores how Cassatt balanced smooth blending with loose, visible strokes...

How to Take Reference Photos With a Painting in Mind In this episode, Kerri Dixon explains how wildlife artists can move beyond “good photos” and start collecting reference images that actually support a stronger painting. She shares a practical way to see, capture, and design compositions, using her own zoo photography and studio editing process as examples. The focus is on reference photos, comp...

KerriDixon talks about what she learned from watching Portrait Artists of the Year Australia and why it challenged her assumptions about how “proper” portrait art is made. The episode is a reminder that tools like photos, grids, iPads, tracing, and mixed media are not shortcuts to avoid real art, but practical parts of the creative process. In this episode, Kerry connects portraiture practices to...

In this episode, Kerri Dixon breaks down muddy colours, why they happen, and why they are not always a problem. She uses practical examples from wildlife and nature art to show how complementary colours, value, and careful observation can make colour mixing feel much simpler. Kerri also gives a clear method for choosing colours without memorizing the whole colour wheel - start with the right colou...

Pinterest for Artists: Inspiration, Style Clues, and Copyright Kerri Dixon wraps up her social media for artists series by showing how Pinterest can work as a visual search engine, an inspiration board, and a practical tool for artists who want to refine their taste and support their creative process. She also covers the big copyright caution with Pinterest and explains how artists can use the pla...

Why Artists Should Embrace YouTube as a Learning ToolDiscover how YouTube can revolutionize your art practice—not just through tutorials but as a source of inspiration, research, and community. Kerri explores practical strategies for integrating YouTube into your artistic growth and warns of common pitfalls to avoid. Key Topics How YouTube removes geographical barriers to art learning and inspirat...

This episode explores how artistic growth is about much more than improving technique — it’s also about building confidence, finding a clear learning path, and staying motivated through routine and community support. Kerry reflects on the real “wins” from a week of pastel practice and Soft Pastel Week, sharing how small achievements, encouragement, and playful goals can help artists keep creating,...

Discover how Facebook can be a powerful tool for artists, not just for sharing work but for building meaningful connections, finding reference resources, and creating new opportunities. Wildlife artist Carrie Dixon shares practical tips, success stories, and strategies to leverage Facebook’s community features effectively. In this episode: Why Facebook remains valuable for artists despite being vi...

Wildlife artist Kerry Dixon discusses how Instagram can serve as a digital portfolio for artists, emphasizing the importance of sharing artwork for visibility and community building. www.kerridixonart.com Points of Interest Artists often create artwork that remains unseen; Instagram offers an online gallery space. Instagram as a visual diary to track artistic progress and milestones over the years...

In this episode, wildlife artist and educator Carrie Dixon dives into the fascinating world of abstract realism—a style that blurs the lines between accuracy and expression. Discover how moving beyond photographs can unleash your artistic voice and evoke emotion in your art. Main Topics: What is abstract realism and how does it differ from pure realism and abstraction The importance of artistic vo...

Learning to See: Transform Your Artwork by Changing Your Observation Skills Discover how shifting your perception can dramatically improve your art, regardless of your skill level. In this episode, wildlife artist and art educator Carrie Dixon explores simple yet powerful right brain drawing exercises that help artists see more clearly and create more realistic artwork. Watch the exercises on Yout...

Imagine a world where learning art is as simple as sitting at your kitchen table. Fifty years ago, that would have meant limited access to professional guidance, with trial and error as your only mentor. Today, you can learn from artists worldwide, rewatch tutorials, and join vibrant communities—all from your couch. Kerri explores how technology like AI isn't replacing artists but empowering t...

Most artists think genuine creativity means drawing everything freehand— but history tells a different story. Many of the world's greatest masters didn't rely solely on pure skill; they used tools, assistants, and clever transfer methods that were as modern in their time as grids and projectors are today. So why are we still carrying the guilt of "cheating" when using these techn...

Are you feeling discouraged because social media seems to prioritize virality over genuine connection? This episode dives into why artists don't need millions of followers to succeed and instead should focus on building loyal communities and true fans. Discover practical insights on shifting your mindset, storytelling, and creating a sustainable, fulfilling art career. Main Topics: The myth of...

Discover why embracing imperfect and messy sketchbooks can unlock your creativity, reduce pressure, and foster genuine artistic growth. This episode explores the significance of non-perfectionist art practices, especially for adult artists navigating social media and self-imposed expectations. Key Topics: The cultural shift from sketchbooks as personal experiments to polished portfolios How social...

This episode explores the inspiring world of environmental art, emphasizing accessibility and personal connection. Whether you're an artist or simply passionate about nature, learn how to incorporate meaningful themes into your creative practice. To learn with me head to The Creative Barn Membership

In this episode, wildlife artist and art mentor Kerry Dixon challenges the myth that you need a perfect, spacious studio to create art. Instead, she shares practical tips on creating a simple, effective setup that removes barriers and makes starting easy—regardless of your space. Key Topics: The common misconception about needing a dedicated art space How setup and mindset impact consistency and p...