BUDDING artists can learn how to use an electronic tablet to do more than just tweet and play games next month when a free iPad painting workshop comes to Newport Market art gallery.

From 2pm to 3pm on February 8, Joseph Connor, a former design engineer turned internet entrepreneur and part-time artist, will demonstrate how to paint using your fingers on an electronic tablet in conjunction with the launch of the Land and Scapes art exhibition at the gallery.

Owning or bringing along a tablet on the day is not strictly necessary, said Mr Connor, from Allt-yr-yn, who has featured in numerous magazines and radio programmes in the UK and USA, and is also running a course on iPad painting at the V&A in London in March.

“I aim to inspire a new generation of artists who render art ‘en-plein air’ (in the open air) using a mobile digital device and share it immediately via social media,” said Mr Connor on his website. This I feel will create a greater emotional connection with open spaces and solicit the feedback necessary to motivate the creation of more art outside, among the young and fellow technophiles.”

He added: “It’s incredibly rewarding to get outside and paint. I have got children and getting back into painting happened when teaching my daughter how to paint. I aim to get as many people outside as possible.”

The exhibition at Newport Market’s gallery, which has been specially adapted for fairs and special exhibitions, runs until February 23.