Whether it be getting creative in the kitchen, building a veggie patch or learning to crochet, there are plenty of ways to express creativity at a time when we are limiting our social interaction with others.

This is one of the reasons why Trentham artist Llael McDonald has decided to record free online painting classes for people who are looking for a creative outlet.

"Anything creative that removes the mind from the situation you're in is going to help you [through social isolation]," she said.

"Painting takes focus and if you can focus your mind somewhere else, you don't get as stir crazy. But it applies to any creative outlet."

The international-selling artist regularly conducts workshops, but said people are often quite nervous to take part in person as they feel they may make mistakes - but by being able to take part from home, she hopes that learning the art of painting will be accessible to more people.

The classes will be easy for people of all abilities to follow and because they will be recorded, people can press play in their own time and play it back as many times as they need to.

In the first class, participants will learn how to paint an antique bottle.

"The reason I've chosen the old antique bottle for the first workshop is because it's got some really nice highlights and shadows in it for people to practice," Ms McDonald said.

"It will be a little bit different to my regular workshops because people can't access all of the materials I normally have and I won't be there to instruct them in person but people can ask me questions on my Facebook page."

Ms McDonald draws much of her inspiration from her surroundings and portrays everyday landscapes, but with an element of fantasy to create a narrative.

As such, future online workshops may centre on painting a landscape.

To take part, individuals will need some basic materials including oil paints, - in the colours of French ultramarine blue, pyrrole red or alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow, titanium white and burnt umber - linseed oil, turpentine, a variety of brushes, a canvas and a piece of glass for a palette.

The first video has been posted online. It is available on the Facebook page titled "Llael McDonald Painting Workshops".