Reasons why this forum has been set up and what it is hoped will be achieved by it.

A brief description of membership and conditions thereof.

If you are not a denizen of the Internet, or if this is your first time on a forum, please read this. It is intended to provide some basic reassurance, as well as provide information and guidelines that will enable you to get the most out of this forum.

Why it is like it is.

Having trouble with some aspect of your work? Or maybe you are excited about a discovery or an achievement and would like to share it with others? Or perhaps you just want to spread joy in the world. Come in here and give us an opportunity to join in.

This section is exclusively for announcing Forum Members exhibitions. Images from these can be discussed under “General Questions” in the “Ask Questions” section.

Have you seen a show you'd like to recommend or heard of one coming up and want to suggest a joint visit? Or have you been to an artist's studio and want to share the experience with others? Perhaps you've found a good online gallery or art related Internet site? In short, any art related news you want to share goes here.

At least to start with Francis intends to produce a series of short (often illustrated) articles. They aim to be brief. Student suggestions for topics will be welcomed. Until they begin to come in, Francis will deal with issues that arise repeatedly at the Painting School. Please, if you read them, could you give some feedback, whether positive and negative. A minimum will do.

This section supplements the “Topic of the Month”. In it are gathered a number of Francis's answers to questions posted either in the “Gallery” or the “Ask Questions” section. They are selected out for their general interest. Their aim is to be concise and brief . They can be regarded as Painting School of Montmiral “credo statements”. Please, if you read them, could you give some feedback, whether positive or negative. A minimum will do.

As most of you will probably know, Francis has been working on a rather long book. In response to the many people who have said that 1050 pages is a bit daunting, it has now been divided into four parts. Together these provide a treasure trove of theoretical and practical information and should be a "must" for anyone involved drawing, painting or creativity, not to mention all sorts of other people. Chapters will appear approximately twice a month. Please, if you read any of the submitted chapters, could you give some feedback, whether positive or negative. A minimum will do.

This is the place to talk about any books, magazines or subscriptions that are related to any of the subjects covered in this forum.

We suggest that among the many fascinating aspects of art history, one of the main themes should be what can be learnt from artists of the past that can be of practical use in the present.

Here you can ask any question about drawing, painting and creativity that seems to have no place anywhere else.

Here you can ask technical questions concerning tools and materials. With any luck other Forum members will have something useful to say.

Here you can make a first contact with students who have come in other years or for other sessions. You could tell us a minimum about yourself and say something about what you are hoping to get out of joining the forum community.

If you're in the mood for a serious discussion whether on painting or non painting subjects, here's the place to see if you can excite the interest of others. Please note that this section is intended only for robust and on-topic discussion.

No need to get all hot and bothered here - come in, sit down and relax. This is where we find out all the really important stuff like who's going to win the latest TV reality show, or the *truth* about cats. Oh, and I'll have one of those little blue umbrellas in mine....

I thought it might be a good idea to have this new section here where, rather than make more general comments, we could deal with specific issues that you encounter with regard to the forum and its use

Is there anything else (a particular feature or topic) you'd like to see become a regular part of this forum? What do you think of the forum content and layout? Have you seen it done better somewhere else? Can you give us suggestions for improvement. If there is a demand we will add a new section.