• Dear Sirs,

    I am most concerned by the downgrading of creative subjects in the educational proposals. Creative subjects have already been turned into academic subjects, to make marking easier for the objectively minded assessors. Children are now encouraged to study the creative work of others, so they can be tested on their knowledge, rather than be creative themselves. If creative subjects themselves are downgraded this country is doomed.

    It is the creative industries that keep this island afloat and our heads just above water. If we kill the geese that lay the golden eggs, then our future impoverishment in a global market will be entirely the fault of those making decisions to downgrade creative subjects now.

    The future wealth of this country rests in your hands. Downgrading creativity is tantamount to treason.

    I hope your consciences let you sleep at night.

    with best wishes

    Shoo Rayner

  • HarshCriticismSmlI had an email this week asking me for a bit of advice about self criticism. This is really hard to deal with and the harder you are on yourself, the harder you get. Its a vicious circle that gets worse and worse. Harsh del-criticism is a really bad habit, just like crack cocaine or smoking. the more you do it the more the habit gets ingrained into your daily routine.

    Snapping out it is hard. Its a 24 hour a day battle against something that doesn’t want to go away. Don’t be hard on yourself. look always for the positive and ask that critical voice if it has anything constructive to say. If it hasn’t ignore it and then look for the positive in your work or the situation you are in. Criticism is a waste of time unless it adds something. if it doesn’t add, don’t do it and ignore the little voices in your head – and the voices of others who don’t understand or maybe don’t have tour best interests at heart.

  • PencilMuseumSmallLast week I was giving cartoon drawing lessons at the wonderful Pencil Museum in Keswick in the beautiful Lake District in the UK.

    We were using Pentel Aquash Brushes and Derwent Aquatone watercolour crayons, which were great fun and so easy to use. The paper I used was Derwent watercolour paper which is very smooth and heavy so it takes water well without crinkling. I’m not sure that’s avail;able outside the UK

    I spent three days there and drew non-stop, showing kids, and the grown-ps too, how to draw anything from a Dalek to a wizard or a ninja or a fairy. We had a lot of fun. I hope I’ll be asked back again, so I might see you there next time!

    If you would like me to do drawing or cartoon workshops at your school or library, feel free to get in touch. click here

    Here are US & UK Amazon links. If you want buy and to try out these products please follow the links and help support my videos – thanks.