Hello! You can read the introduction to this module below or listen to me read it out here:

Now you have free reign to take all you've learned and work at a scale that excites you in a way that you enjoy most. Only you will know what that means for you and what scale you want to work at. That could be just a little larger than you have ever worked or you could be daring and see what it's like to paint on a huge canvas.

I'm only going to be working on large-scale paintings in this module but if you want to pursue mini paintings instead that is up to you! You saw me create a mini collection in module 5 so do revisit that if you would rather.

The larger you go the more challenging it might be because you can't paint in exactly the same way, although this depends on what your preferred way of working is like, whether you want to paint the same way, and how patient you are! Painting much smaller than you're used to can be just as challenging for some. The phrase "what you are used to" is the key to whether something feels easy or not. Like all art processes, the more you practice the more natural it becomes.

Whatever scale you're focusing on next, try to deliberately integrate what you have most enjoyed during the course up to this point or at least develop the most important aspect for you now. You will work on discovering what this is in the first exercise.

I'm not suggesting that you deliberately write a full list of ways of working and squeeze them all into a painting.

Start with the feel you want your painting to have (or give to the viewer) and an idea of the colour palette you'll be using - whether that is completely planned and premixed or whether you mix on the go from a few large blobs of colour on your palette as you go. However, in addition to those two aspects, consciously listing two or three elements that you want to explore in terms of approach or what you want to include. Pin this up along with any reference (sketches, objects, arrangements and past work that you're developing) All this will be a helpful to give you focus as you work on your paintings.

Accept that it's likely to be frustrating at any point - just as it can be with paintings at any scale. You may change your mind and want to start again. I have mixed feelings about that. Definitely have a few surfaces on the go if you have room for them so that you can give yourself time to think instead of rashly painting everything out and then regretting it. There's no substitute for "doing" to learn what works and what doesn't. If you struggle at any point take a break, or remove the painting from view for a while and work on something else or go for a walk!

Let yourself bravely make marks and experiment. If the results are not quite as you desire - congratulate yourself for trying and take a while to consider how you can change things or start again.. but do allow the first attempt to exist a good while longer as you will probably spot a solution at some point or have a new idea for a problem painting. Try to have patience. I speak as someone who has quickly obliterated too many paintings only to wish I hadn't.

This is for you, (not me, or anyone else), so take your time!