Caroline Hulse FRSA (Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts) is a contemporary painter, with studios in the UK (Mapledurham, Oxon) and Spain (Marbella, Andalucia)

Caroline trained in art in the 1970's and like all good artists is an eclectic painter, constantly exploring form, concept and image. Caroline has paintings in public spaces, hotels, restaurants, offices and private homes. She works to commission as well as creating several series of works every year.

She is currently (2012) working in her studio in Marbella - estudio 61 click

STAGE 1 - Figurative click

You always start learning 'life form' at art school. This is to teach you to 'look' and the body is the surest way to establish if you have got the lines right.

My figurative paintings are based on 'character' and 'concept' - I also like to show a sense of humour in my work.

Credibility of the piece is my main goal - not just slapping down some colour and form and see what happens!! I plan, conceive and execute - PCE!!

My portraits are about character - there are never two alike in style or emotion, which personally, I think, is important - to adapt to the personality!

If you want to commission an original portrait contact me click

STAGE 2 - Realistic Landscapes click

You can't start 'inventing' until you understand how to represent tonal values, line and composition in image.

I spent around 30 years painting landscapes - my way of course - and all my paintings were based on 'tonal drawings' from landscape.

I now mainly paint 'realistic' landscapes to commission.

There are a few for sale in my Marbella studio - Spain has sensationally colourful landscape!

STAGE 3 - Interpretive Landscapes click

Once you've mastered the paint medium (I use oils, oil sticks, acrylics, watercolour and mixed media) -choosing which medium is best suited to my ideas - you can then start using your 'vision' and strip down a landscape into colour, tone and proportion of space.

I've had fantastic success with my 'interpretive' landscapes because it gave me a unique 'style'

But I don't believe in painting just for financial reward! I have to keep on exploring and developing.

STAGE 4 - Purple Trees (Developing Line) click

I started painting my 'purple trees' around 15 years ago - to understand line completely. Now everyone is copying the form! Even Hockney - I had loads of emails from people telling me he is 'copying' me!! (In his recent exhibition)

I doubt it! I guess it's a 'common' road for painters!

I still enjoy painting 'purle trees' and can't generally paint them quick enough - especially in Marbella - everyone wants one!!

STAGE 5 - Colour click

Painting is a complicated business!

I analyse, study and excite myself with new ideas.

Presently I am banging on about 'Colour' which has three values - hue, saturation and luminosity.

I have to work in different ways to get the best out of of all the contributes to colour!

STAGE 6 - Abstract click

The nearly last stage in developing as an artist (to me).

As Picasso said 'There is no such thing as abstract - you always start with something' and I don't cheat(!!) by just throwing paint around and THEN see how it makes me feel.

Every abstract has a strong concept and is deconstructed line and form - with a very strong starting point. i.e the emotion comes BEFORE the painting!!

'Abstract' means 'non recognisable form - so some of my paintings are 'semi abstract'

STAGE 7 - Imaginative click

This to me is the ultimate painting 'experience' or journey.

Let your imagination go wild.

Painting is, in fact, 90% idea - 10% paint on canvas.

So my 'Imaginative paintings' can be inspired by 'conversations' or more likely a 'concept' - like 'Too Much Chocolate Makes You Sick!!'

ART FOR OFFICES - click

I create just for the space. Which is important!

Colour, form and size of the painting is essential to complement the space, the function and light.

The painting on the left was created for a company in Berkshire - I put paintings in the entire space.

I've also worked for major UK companies including an International Pizza restaurant chain.

COMMISSIONS - click

I can paint anything(!) for any space. Part of being an artist is understanding what the space needs and how to interpret the ambience.

For the painting to suit the client and the particular space.

This was created for a public space

I can be very imaginative!! I have also designed for fibreglass, clay and resin.

TEACHING - click

You can learn to paint in my studios in the UK or Spain.

In the UK (Mapledurham) my studio is in a Grade II listed building - full of atmosphere and excitement! My daughter - the sensational Cat teaches here - go to the web site www.joedaisy.co.uk to see what you can learn.

I am currently teaching in Spain - go to www.joedaisyspain.com to learn about the courses in oils, watercolour or acrylics. You can come on a painting holiday, stay in a Hotel and enjoy Marbella. It is a great climate all year round. So you can come any time!

estudio 61 in Marbella, Spain