About
Mira Vale paints the coast, the garden and the birds in between, and teaches what she has learned.
A small studio on the quay
Mira Vale Studio is where Mira paints in gouache, ink and watercolour, makes limited prints from her originals, decorates ceramics by hand and teaches classes two evenings a week.
Every painting starts as a sketch made outdoors. Colours come from a short list of pigments, so pieces made months apart still hang well together.
From sketch to shelf
Step 1
Sketch outdoors
Pencil and ink on the quay, the cliff path or in the garden. Most pieces begin as a page of small, quick drawings.
Step 2
Mix the palette
A short list of pigments, mixed until the colours agree. Using the same few paints is what keeps pieces made months apart looking related.
Step 3
Paint in layers
Flat shapes first, then detail, working from light to dark. Gouache dries fast, so the decisions have to be quick.
Step 4
Check, sign and pack
Each print is checked against the original, signed and wrapped flat. Originals are packed in a rigid board and insured.
Step 1 of 4
Sketch outdoors
Pencil and ink on the quay, the cliff path or in the garden. Most pieces begin as a page of small, quick drawings.
Step 2 of 4
Mix the palette
A short list of pigments, mixed until the colours agree. Using the same few paints is what keeps pieces made months apart looking related.
Step 3 of 4
Paint in layers
Flat shapes first, then detail, working from light to dark. Gouache dries fast, so the decisions have to be quick.
Step 4 of 4
Check, sign and pack
Each print is checked against the original, signed and wrapped flat. Originals are packed in a rigid board and insured.
Paper and paint
Gouache, ink and watercolour on acid-free paper from 300 to 410 gsm. Nothing is digitally painted.
Honest editions
Prints are giclée on cotton rag paper. The edition size is shown on every product page.
Small classes
No more than eight people, with all materials included and time to ask questions.