in art, primarily I do not set out to
achieve these ... although I certainly
would not like to produce work
considered creatively extinct!
Most artists identify with at least one
or more past Masters. I have been
an enthusiastic follower of the society
portraitist John Singer Sargent (1856-
1925 ). I consider that his drama of
presentation and the confidence of
his brush strokes makes him second
to none. However, although his
dictum was ‘quick and accurate’, I
note that he required 30 to 40 sittings
to complete his larger works.
At times, the portrait painter can
find himself in a difficult position as
the freedom of creativity and self
expression can be compromised
by the demands of the patron’s
contract. Some would argue that
the portrait painter puts at risk
the very sanctity of the creative
process. Whereas I accept the
creative limitations of convention, I
feel that the energy and drive I put
into my paintings makes the whole
experience worthwhile – particularly
if my end objectives are achieved.
Although I am passionate about
portraiture, I also enjoy landscape
painting and I recently developed anew style of painting with a palette
knife which brings out the texture
and form of the medium while at the
same time preserving definition.
My most outstanding work was
a portrait which was described
as a work ‘which Sargent
would have approved of’.
My worst disaster was a portrait
when I broke my concentration
after 12 hours of painting. I made
a female TV presenter’s face too
narrow (fortunately this was not
broadcast on live TV). Another artistic
disaster occurred when I was judge
of an art competition and stepped
back into a wax sculpture of hands- smashing them to bits – having
just given the work second place!
My advice to developing
artists is to be true to yourself
and always keep an open mind
about matters creative. My
ultimate goal is to produce work
combining outstanding technical
skill and creative excellence
... but to achieve all this in a
fraction of the time required by
Masters such as Sargent.
This portraitist’s email address is:
[email protected] n“My advice
to developing
artists is to
be true to
yourself and
always keep
an open mind
about matters
creative.”Chris Turland Tom CallawayInspiration