Pastel Journal - USA (2019-05)

(Antfer) #1
DavidBrammeld
(davidbrammeld.com)lives
inStaffordshire,England,
wherehe’sinspiredby“the
ever-changingurban-built
environment,andalso
thenaturallandscape—
particularlytheinfinitebeauty
oftrees.”Hehasa B.A.in
fineartfromStaffordshire
Universityandworkedin
graphicdesignandpublishinguntil2012,whenhebecamea full-
timeprofessionalartist.Brammeldbecamea part-timelecturerin
lifedrawingandpaintingin2000.Hebecameanelectedmember
oftheRoyalBirminghamSocietyofArtistsin2009,theRoyal
SocietyofBritishArtistsin 2014 andThePastelSocietyUKin2016.
Heexhibitshisartnationallyandinternationally.

things are simpler: The small details
are easier to do; the broader tonal
areas are much harder to work into.”

THE PATH TO
EXPRESSION
The decision of which medium to
use for which painting is dictated by
the image itself. One with more color
and texture would suggest pastel.
Another, where the focus is form,
shape and composition, means that
color is secondary. “I’ll look at an
image and think ‘Wow, I really want
to express that in graphite, carv-
ing and cutting into dark tones to
create texture and interest,’ ” says
Brammeld. “Or, it can be the control
you have with a pencil—it can be so
versatile, capable of a vast range of
mark-making. Conversely, it can be so
rewarding to catch a color effect just
right, to get a subtle blend and then
make some subtle marks on top of
that. Each medium has its own unique
qualities, and I never mix the two.”

ABOVE
Autumn in the Park
(231/3x33)


RIGHT
The Colours of
Winter (231/3x33)


The colors are what make
Brammeld’s work so special, and
his use of their subtleties creates a
distinct and magical mood—one that
allows trees to become the leading
players. PJ

Louella Miles (writers4management.com)
is based in London. She’s a writer, publisher
and an “artist in any spare time.”

ArtistsNetwork.com 37
Free download pdf