6 Artists & Illustrators
LOSTFREEDOM
I drawandpaintgraphicallyandveryrealistically, and, even though I
enjoyit,I havea constantnaggingurgeto abandon the tight constraints
ofhowI workandthrowpaintwildlyata huge canvas or something.
It alwaysamazesmeathowpreciseand rigid I have become with my
artandevennowI thinkbacktothedays of my art foundation course,
some 25 yearsagonow,withfondness.I remember a lot of the
exercisesthatwewereaskedtodotookus out of our comfort zones, like
lifedrawingwithlollysticksandinkona large full-height scale, which in
itselfwashardenough,butjustasyoufelt that you had started to get
somewhere,beingaskedtomovetothedrawing of the person to your
rightandcarryonthere.
It washorriblebutit taughtusnottobe so precious and it was very
freeing,somethingthatI seemedtohave lost. I would love to go back
anddoa courselikethatnow,if onlyfinances would permit, because
I feelthatI needsomeonetopushmeto try different things.
I knowthatmyartwouldbenefit asa result as it feels like there are
ideasin myheadclamouringtogetout,but my style won’t let them.
I’vefinallyfounda bookwithartfoundation projects in it (there are
hardlyanyoutthere)soI willseeif it helps. Maybe you could do a
featurewithsomeprojectstohelpcastoff artistic inhibitions?
NickyRosser,viaemailWelikethesuggestion,Nicky.Let’sopen this out to everyone:
whatsortsofarticleswouldyouliketosee more of in Artists &
Illustrators? Letusknowthethemesand subjects that interest
youandwe’lldoourbesttoaccommodate.LETTER OF THE MONTHDREAM BABY DREAM
I have painted approximately 100
paintings in the past three years.
Sometimes the subject for a picture
comes easily to mind, but other
times it seems more diffi cult to
fi nd inspiration.
A short while ago I had a vivid and
colourful dream. It was so real that,
as soon as I awoke, I noted down
all the details I could remember.
Mostly dreams fade away quite all
too quickly.
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http://www.greatart.co.ukSTARRY NIGHT (SHOT ON IPHONE)
To the reader who griped about the
use of smartphones or iPads by
some artists in order to paint a
portrait: no, I don’t fi nd this in the
slightest bit annoying. It can
genuinely help in the process and
it’s not the same as working from
a photo at home.
These artists are simply using
the means that are available in
order to achieve a result – and if
that includes using technology,
why not? I’ll bet that even Van Gogh
might have found our technology
to be a fantastic aid to his work.
Photos don’t replace the model,
and of course the artist has looked
at the model. Using photos is just
a different way of working. So, to
all those who gripe about the use
of technology while painting, I say
it’s nothing new. Artists have been
using anything that’s been available
to them to produce art since
time began.
Jo Clutton, HampshireA BIG HOO-HA
I’m writing to thank you for
our lovely weekend away
as winner of the Luton Hoo
Hotel prize draw [issue
408]. The weather was
very kind, and we had
some great walks around
the grounds, enjoying the
autumn light and colours.
The hotel is indeed
luxurious [see right]
and the food delicious.
I took loads of photos
and will be using some as
references for paintings.
Juliet Magee, via emailShare your thoughts and get a daily dose
of Artists & Illustrators tips, advice and
inspiration by following us on our social
mediachannels...@AandImagazine ArtistsAndIllustrators
AandImagazine AandImagazineIn the world of dreams the
impossible becomes possible.
Reality is suspended. In this
particular dream I was in two
places at once. Flying over the
trees and watching myself and
my family walking along a footpath
in a nearby arboretum.
I made a painting of this dream
with oil paints [below left], making
extensive use of a palette knife.
Your readers might like to try
something similar and record
their dreams. I now keep a
sketchpad near my bed at night
Derek Stark, via emailKEEP A CLOSE SWATCH
I love the “Expand your palette”
feature each month. I’ve taken
to tearing them out and have
added them to my colour
swatch sketchbook. Please
keep this series going, thanks!
Diane Galloway Solowan,
via Facebook