I guess the first question you may ask is ‘Why would I’ ?
Well maybe I’ll start with a few numbers. First my e-book ‘Watercolours for Beginners’. I wrote the book nearly 10 years ago now and spent most of that time distributing it completely free of charge, all around the World. I would now like to write another for more advanced artists, but that of course takes time and money to do.
Then of course there is my Youtube channel
Since moving to Bulgaria (to semi-retire) I have been producing watercolour tutorials, and now have thousands of views and hundreds of subscribers.
The total number of such videos is now 63 and again all completely free of charge. Now they are free, and always will be, unlike some artists, who never give anything away for free. I think we know who they are…..But clearly there are costs in both sound and equipment, but also in the time it takes to edit, and produce them. As technology has moved on dramatically in recent years, it’s been necessary to update my equipment, to the point where my art studio now resembles a recording studio ! The photo below shows just a few items of my latest HD recording gear I use. In addition there are all the brackets, tripods one needs to ensure the very best quality video’s viewers rightfully expect these days.
In addition to both of the above I am also very active online through all the usual places. Try a search on Google for Artist Martin Stephenson or Stevo and you will soon find the paper trail is very long ! Through those popular platforms I am always there to help past and new students with their watercolour journey, and also to the public at large through forums and facebook pages too.
MISSION STATEMENT
My attitude to both my personal students, and my virtual ones is, and will always be the same. That is to share my knowledge as openly and freely as I can, whilst I can. And as long as I have the means to do so. This has been truly tested of late, as anyone who knows me will already be aware of.
THIS IS AN APPEAL FOR HELP
Which nicely brings me to the reason for this blog, an appeal for patrons to help support my future work. Without which it may not be possible to carry on with the same commitment as before.
Friends have been very generous, they know who they are, and I appreciate all they have done recently to help with my work. Some if not all of them have been past students, and people who have appreciated the help my e-book or youtube video’s gave them, on their painting journey. Which lasts for life by the way, not just for Christmas !
‘OK I AM CONVINCED, HOW CAN I HELP’ ?
YOU CAN HELP IN THREE WAYS
You could buy my e-book for just 10 US Dollars by clicking on this link to Gumroad
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A SINGLE DONATION
You may consider a one off payment via paypal. All you have to do is log on to your paypal account, and make a payment to me securely and in your own currency. Any amount would be greatly appreciated, however small. My account with them is the same as my e-mail address, which is artstevo@gmail.com By clicking on the paypal logo below will take you to .co.uk . For those outside of the UK logon to your own Paypal site for your own location.
FINALLY YOU MAY WANT TO BECOME A PATRON
This will have offers, extra benefits and a real community of fans, as I develop it in the future.
Whatever you decide to do including nothing at all, please continue to enjoy my work and my teaching.
And if you do decide to help, thank-you so much.
And by the way buying a painting (which I ship Worlwide), or booking lessons, or a holiday will also help.
AND HAPPY PAINTING !
Martin Stephenson aka Stevo
And just for a bit of fun here is a short introductory video done in 2017 with out-takes…. enjoy ! By the way I no longer use the white boat studio e-mail in the video. Oh and I am wearing my ‘People’s Republic of Yorkshire’ t-shirt !
Click on the link to watch the video
If you have any queries or questions please fill in the boxes below, or you can email me directly to artstevo@gmail.com