In essence there are two distinct types of water colours, transparent colours and opaque ones and I use both. The traditional “transparent” technique involves the overlaying of thin, transparent washes that rely on the white of the paper for their effect. The white of the paper provides the highlights in the painting and as more washes are overlaid the tone and colour deepen. Being water soluble, the paint can be modified in different ways by the addition or removal by water and by the use of brushes, sponges, cloths and tissues.  The result I get from this medium is very bright and translucent paintings.

The denser more opaque watercolours are often referred to as gouache (or body colour), but this term was originally used to describe the technique of overlaying oil colours on tempra paintings. Winsor and Newton have remarked that the development of opaque watercolours was a direct result of the popularisation of opaque techniques by the Impressionists and Post Impressionists. This type of water colour produces a flat, uniform area of colour, which was why they were popular with designers and illustrators. I use this medium to create the feeling of solidness .In some instances I finds that a “mixed” technique works best as in the painting of Buster.

"Buster"

Buster was painted from a series of photographs.  Rather than just reproduce the photographs, I painted the picture in an illustrative style, using pen and ink for the background and watercolour and gouache for the main theme.

Watercolour on Paper

(33 cm x 24 cm)

On accepting the commission, your watercolour painting will be completed within 2 to 4 weeks.  

Acrylic Colour

Since being first use by artists in the 1950’s, acrylics are now an established artist paint system. The popularity of this medium with painters is due to the versatility of acrylics. Their properties (quick drying and resistant and flexible films) and the different mediums to change texture and body have led to their use in abstracts and contemporary painting styles.

My preference is to use the structured (or heavy body) acrylic colours, and so I tend to paint using similar techniques to oil colour as in the painting "Union of South Africa in Kings Cross Station".

"Union of South Africa in Kings Cross Station"

I saw the "Union of South Africa" in Kings Cross Station one Saturday evening in November 2007. I knew almost immediately that the sight of this great green monster bellowing out clouds of steam from a past age would make a very impressive painting.

Acrylic Colour on Canvas

(30 cm x 42 cm)

Like oil colours, acrylics can be painted onto board and canvas and so would not need to be framed behind glass. They can also be painted onto paper and so would need to be framed behind glass.

My usual time to complete acrylic paintings is in the region of 2 to 3 months depending on the complexity of the subject.

Oil Colour

Oil painting is considered to be the fundamental art medium and as an Artist it is something I have learned to appreciate. Typical qualities of oil colours include:

• The long open time, where the colour will not dry for up to several weeks, allowing me to work on a painting for several sessions;
• The propensity for the colour to blend into surrounding paint allowing very subtle blending of colours.

However, patience is needed because of the difficulties related to the qualities that make it such a valuable medium; the long open time may complicate finishing a painting, and the propensity for the paint to blend into surrounding paint by accidental brush strokes.

Glazing is only possible after the oil colour has completely dried, but its effect is well worth waiting for because its effect gives the painting a translucence and depth similar to the vibrant washes seen with water colour, as can be seen in the skin tones of "Raina and the Twins".

Detail from "Raina and the Twins"

Painted from a series of photographs taken during frequent trips to the beach at Broadstairs in Kent.

Oil Colour on Canvas Board

(46 cm x 36 cm)

Therefore my oil paintings can take between 6 to 12 months to complete.  Once the oil painting is fully dried (a recommended minimum time of 6 months) it can be given a coat of protective varnish, which I am happy to do as part of the service.

Soft Pastels

Soft pastels lend themselves to portrait painting. I enjoy painting with them as their bold strong colours can be easily blended to create a solid lifelike appearance. I prefer to “paint” with pastels rather than use them to “draw” with, hence the free and looseness of my technique. In order to avoid suppressing the brightness of the colours and the subtleties of the light shades, I do not use an acrylic fixative and so the painting requires framing on completion, which is included in the price for your commission.  "Gunner Thomas Wilson, RA" is a portrait in soft pastels.

   "Gunner Thomas Wilson, RA"

This portrait was taken from a small black and white photograph (shown in the picture). The photograph was damaged, where it had been folded and so was not suitable for display.  I was therefore commissioned to paint the picture reproduced below by his son, which is now displayed in memory of Tom's time in the army during the Second World War and the many stories he told about his experiences.

Soft Pastels on textured coloured Pastel Paper

(30 cm x 40 cm)

The time scale for a pastel painting is similar to that of a watercolour commission, so once the size and composition has been agreed the work will be completed within 2 to 4 weeks.

The copyright with respect to artistic works, which includes all images of my paintings on this website, remain the property of the Artist under the "Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988" unless agreed otherwise.