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John Singer Sargent

by on December 27, 2011 in Top Sketch Book Tips

Sketchbook Studies in Charcoal

Sketchbook Studies in Charcoal

TIP 11. Studying the work of other artists is a great way to improve your artistic skills, however there are a number of different levels of study that one can tackle. I’ve recently purchased several books about the American artist John Singer Sargent which I have studying. My initial approach is to quickly look at the plates and marvel at the imagery. I then go back to the start and read the text which is always a help in understanding the context and social background in which the artist was working.

Finally, with sketchbook and either pencil or stick of charcoal in hand, I start to make observational drawings of some of the images in the book. Although this is no substitute for making ones own studies from life, it is a great way of gaining a much closer insight into some of the working methods of the artist. One can see how tonal values and composition have been realised as well as gaining a deeper appreciation of some of the mark making techniques. One can take this a stage further and copy their paintings too. I’ve done this in the past which you can see on my website.

Instead of being glued to the TV in the winter evenings, why not re-visit some of your own art books and do some drawings of some of the great masters works?

 

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Thames Sunrise

by on July 18, 2011 in English Scenes, Football and Rugby Prints, Limited Edition Prints

Thames Sunrise

Thames Sunrise

On Saturday evening I watched an interesting documentary on BBC 2 about the impressionists. I enjoyed it because it was refreshingly light and informative, not just about the artists themselves but about their working methods, techniques and influences. Towards the end of the programme, the presenter, Waldemar Januszczak went to London where Monet and Pissarro spent part of their lives painting different aspects of the city. Monet’s moody paintings of the Thames are well known, particularly those which capture low sunlight and I was reminded of my own paintings of the City of London.

The painting above depicting a Thames Sunrise was painted in 2005. I wanted a painting of contrasts, the linear form and structure of the skyline, contrasting against the fluid, loose washes of the sky and water. Also I wanted the painting to be full of light, not just from the sun breaking through the low lying clouds, but also the last remnants of the artificial light being produced by the city itself before being switched off to be taken over by the full light of day.

This giclee limited edition print has been faithfully reproduced from the original watercolour which was painted on Fabriano Esportazione, a very expensive hand made paper from Italy.

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Painting in Italy

by on May 3, 2011 in Commissions

In 2006 I was commissioned to do a watercolour of Casa Panfili, an Umbrian farmhouse with wonderful views over the Niccone Valley. The owners, Al and Betty Stuart wanted a painting that captured something of the beauty of the valley and the way Casa Panfili is very much a part of the rural landscape. It is a delightful area for walkers, artists, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and those who want to explore an area rich in history, food and wine.

By the time we arrived in the early evening, having flown in to Pisa through Jet2, it was too dark to do any painting. I arose early the next morning to do a small sketch book watercolour of the sun rising above the autumn mist that hung gently below in the valley.

Once I was back in the studio, using the sketch and photographs, I did a 12” x 9” preparation watercolour for Al and Betty to approve before commencing on the final painting, a 21” x 14” watercolour which we also had printed into postcards for the guests at Casa Panfili.

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Oil Painting of Norfolk

by on March 5, 2011 in What's on the Drawing Board

Oil Painting of Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk

Oil Painting of Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk

What’s on the Drawing Board?

I have been asked recently to do an oil painting for a particular client. As I usually work in watercolor paints, I thought it would be prudent to get back into the swing of painting in oils (as it is a completely different painting technique) by doing a quick practise painting.

For the last couple of years, I have spent a week in Norfolk painting on location. The place where we have been staying is Burnham Overy Staithe, a small village on the coast not far from Wells-next-the-sea. I’ve painted several watercolours there, two of which you can see on my drawing board above the unfinished oil painting. Using the two location studies and some supplementary photographs, I’ve tackled the subject of small sailing boats berthed at low tide, early morning.

The frustrating thing I find about oil painting is the time it takes for the paint to dry, so I’m leaving it for now until early next week when I will be adding detail to the boats. I’m thinking about buying some water based oil paints instead of having to use turps to clean my brushes and the smell, so if any artists out there can recommend any particular brand, please let me know.

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