Artists & Illustrators — June 2017

82 Artists & Illustrators

in the field to readjust a shape or highlight. It takes

years of studying a subject to master its every move,

so make full use of technology.

Are there any paintbrushes you would recommend for

painting wildlife?

I find the key to my style is experimenting with

different techniques, which often means I don’t

use a paintbrush at all. With oil colour I have used

everything, including earbuds, fingers and even credit

cards to apply the paint.

How do you incorporate vivid colour?

I always refer to the colour wheel. By using contrasting

colours you can create fantastic vividness that is

already present in nature. The blue and orange of a

kingfisher is a prime example of this, and that’s why

they feature a lot in my work. Push the boundaries with

your palette and look for vividness in your subject.

How can I capture animals en plein air without scaring

them away?

Use your camera. The photograph doesn’t have to be

amazing. I regularly use my phone, but for flighty

animals it is crucial to establish a good impression of

the subject’s shape and form. Try to use the image

straight away, then and there, in the field. Your mind

will still be fresh with the sighting and the fact you are

in the animal’s environment will add to the image.

How important is the background to creating an

expressive image?

The background can bring an image alive and I try

to be as adventurous as possible. I often choose

contrasting colours and use bold brushstrokes to

frame my subject and instil a sense of movement.

It can be a great space to experiment and create an

intriguing context for the animals you are portraying.

I see a lot of your work is on the larger scale, is there

a reason for this?

I love working on large canvases and would work

lifesize if I could. I find it very important not to constrain

an image by canvas size and the more space you have

the more you can let the subject stretch out. I am

working on an oil of two lifesize rutting stags. The

energy within the image is massively increased by the

freedom of movement I have within the canvas.

Find out more about Freddy and his work at

http://www.freddypaske.com

ABOVE Usherette,

watercolour and pastel,

20x30cm

THE ERASER IS AN IMPORTANT MARK-MAKER. STRIP BACK A DRAWING TO

ADD TO THE ILLUSION OF MOVEMENT AND SIMPLIFY SUBJECT MATTER

80 Your Questions.indd 82 10/04/2017 12:28