16 artistMarch 2021 http://www.painters-online.co.ukJ
ohn Walsom paints landscapes and
cityscapes in oils and watercolour.
He works both in the studio and
beyond, celebrating such things as
the light and colour of London, other
urban views, the English landscape and
historic interiors.
John’s evolution as an artist was
not smooth. ‘My school didn’t take
art seriously and there was no real
instruction available. I trained to be
an architect but quite soon after I
qualified, I knew it wasn’t going to be
my long-term career – I was sellingSpotlight on the
urban view
John Walsom, winner of The Artist Award in the annual Royal Institute
of Oil Painters’ exhibition, talks to Susie Hodge about his working
methods in oil and watercolour
my paintings on the railings of the
Bayswater Road in London during my
course.’Inspiration
Reflecting on how he evolved as a
painter, John explains: ‘I’ve never
formally studied art, which has made
learning the techniques a long process.
Other people’s paintings inspire me
to paint and there have been times
when I’ve consciously adopted the
styles of my painting heroes. Usually
that led down a cul-de-sac, but I thinkI always gained a better understanding
of technique by forcing myself into
situations where I wouldn’t otherwise
have been.
‘The big change happened when I
took up plein-air painting; the stress
and concentration of getting down
any acceptable representation was so
great that it left no time for stylistic
pretensions. It forced me to paint as
myself and, as I do more, I find that I
like the way I’m evolving, as I try to be
better with each painting.
‘I’ve sometimes done copies of