The Artist - UK (2021-02)

(Antfer) #1
46 artistFebruary 2021 http://www.painters-online.co.uk

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I


f asked what it is that compels
me to paint, I’d answer texture.
When painting and drawing in
the landscape there is texture all
around you – the stones beneath your
feet, the contrast between soft grass
and hard rock faces or the details in
buildings. The skill is to express these
environments with conviction so that

Surfaces for creativity


Robert Dutton reveals his favourite painting surfaces and his methods


for creating texture for unique, expressive paintings


your artwork reveals as much about the
subject as it does about you.

Paper
The process begins with the painting
and drawing surface, which has to
be strong and the texture needs to
work for and with me. Experience
and experimentation have taught me

what will give me the best chance of
achieving what I want to convey.
The way I work from initial sketch to
final painting is usually multi-layered
and mixed media; something extra is
always added for the texture that is the
driving force behind my work. Therefore
sketchbooks have to be robust, the
paper has to be heavy and be able to
work with me in the field for gathering
information for the studio work. I choose
140lb (300gsm) glued or spiral-bound
100-per-cent rag content watercolour
pads with surfaces varying across the
range from Hot Pressed, Not and Rough.
The brand I use most is Canson, usually
their Moulin du Roy and Heritage
ranges. Moulin du Roy 140lb (300gsm) is
an excellent sketching and watercolour
paper and even for pastel work; the
tooth is fine enough for detail yet has

t Summer Clouds, Strong Winds, Bright Light


  • Buttermere, the Lake District, mixed media
    on collaged Canson Moulin du Roy 100-per-
    cent rag content 600gsm watercolour papers,
    223 30in (56 3 76cm).
    This is a prime example of how I express the
    landscape with multiple layers of different
    media and collaged textures of strong,
    heavy-duty watercolour papers together in
    a single painting. The undulating surface of
    the collaged pieces, together with pumice,
    marble dust, slate dust and paint, add to the
    depth within the painting

Free download pdf