With a good line-up of paintings awaiting his critical eye, local artist Phil Creek gave an in-depth critique for Honiton Art Society members at their March meeting.

Phil encouraged members to try to make each new painting a step up from the last by using lessons learnt and stressed the importance of composition, keeping in mind the rule of thirds.

Colours need to work together, and painting in monochrome should also be explored. There can also be more than one picture in a painting, as can be seen by framing different areas with a piece of card; if the picture is painted on board, and a better composition is found, it can be easily cut back if desired.

At the end of his very helpful and encouraging critique, Phil emphasised the importance of painting regularly in the same medium to really improve.

The next meeting is on Monday, April 10, at Awliscombe Village Hall, 2 to 4pm, when there will be an acrylic landscape demonstration by Kate Cochrane.