Professional oil painter from Doncaster is encouraging others to get creative whilst stuck inside

Andrew Farmer, aged 33, from Sprotbrough, is a professional painter who specialises in oil paint.

He said: “Art is a really great outlet to help your brain.

“Which is especially important at the moment with all the negativity that we’re consuming.

“Any creative hobby will help you nourish yourself and combat things like anxiety and depression.

“Art has always been medication for me.”

Due to the coronavirus many people have picked up hobbies to fill their time but not everyone may think that they can get into art due to the expense of materials.

Andrew said: “It’s a myth that you need lots of money or equipment to do art.

“Art is alchemy - you can use a burnt stick to create something gorgeous.

“Start simple, just draw in a notebook with a pencil or biro.

“I have even drawn on receipts and napkins before - you can start with very little.”

Andrew has been taking the opportunity to work in his garden and to paint portraits of his family at home.

“I’ve just finished a piece called ‘The Lesson’ which is based on my wife homeschooling my two children at the kitchen table,” he continued.

“I’m documenting what’s going on in our lives and painting the garden a lot too.”

Andrew is using this time to share his love of art with his children which have so far included lessons on Van Gough.

He hopes that after Covid-19 the importance of arts will be acknowledged.

“We need art now more than ever - I hope that it will be encouraged in schools and be given more funding in the future.

As galleries across the country have closed Andrew is joining the #artsupportpledge movement on social media.

This allows artists to sell small pieces of art and gain support from other artists during this time.

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