Fresh Paint
Michael J Austin
The new Equus series by Michael J Austin is a masterclass
in creating a small, tightly focused set of paintings.
These five equestrian portraits have immense variety
of character, yet they are tied together by their subject
matter, as well as the use of plain one- or two-colour
backdrops and the unusual portrait-format composition.
“The mainly profiled aspect, nose down, I find perhaps
the most serene and dignified equine portrait view,” says
the Devon artist. “The sharp and solid nose bone provides
a hard, sculptural edge to contrast with the soft yet taught
muscles and tendons visible on the rest of the head.”
Michael’s aim with the collection was to focus upon
“all that is best about the horse as a sentient being and
not just something to ride on”. Rather than leading his
thoroughbred subjects back to his studio, he instead
works from a mix of drawings and photographs – and he
is philosophical about relying upon the latter. “A photo
provides a constant light value, does not move, and is
available until whatever time I want to go home. They do
however lack depth and colour, values which have to be
imagined and learnt, and which are not always easy to
replicate to be believable.”
Michael has been a professional artist and illustrator
for almost 40 years, during which time he has accrued a
number of high-profile fans – not least Prince Charles, who
personally invited him to serve as an official artist on tours
of India and the Middle East. Over the years, he has honed
many aspects of his practice. “My palette used to be a lot
wider, but I began to realise most of the pile of twisted
tubes of tints and mid-colours could be dispensed with if
the three primaries are pure and translucent,” he explains.
“The theory being that all the spectrum colours come from
the three primaries and together should produce a lively
dark better than any tube of black pigment.”
His Equus paintings were made using just Yellow Lake
(Bright), Alizarin Claret, Ultramarine Blue and Zinc White.
“I have found Zinc the most subtle and sensitive white for
mixing,” he says. This tight limited palette, coupled with
his use of Raphaël Paris Classics Series 357 long flat
brushes, helps him to create the soft, shimmering
sheen of each horse’s coat so masterfully.
Equus runs until 29 February at Jonathan Cooper Park Walk
Gallery, London SW10. http://www.michaeljaustin.co.ukFresh
Paint
Inspiring new artworks, straight off the easel