From Fantasy to Realism: A Journey Through My Evolving Artistic Style

I've gathered together a collection of some older artwork, to show the evolution and building blocks of my artistic style as well as interests I've had in different subject matter.

I've been inspired by the techniques of the old masters and enrolled myself in a course to study traditional oil painting techniques, in 2021. This still life piece was painted as part of that course. The contrast between warm and cool tones as well as the contrast between the twine and smooth cold glass give an interesting vibrancy to the arrangement. This painting is available to buy, please enquire if you're interested.

An oil painting study of two glass bottles, one blue and one red, with a spool of twine on a blue surface against a grey backdrop, creating a calm still life. The composition features a balance of cool and warm tones. (2021)

Below is a quick painted sketch on the first page of a new sketchbook, this is an acrylic painting of some swirly moody skies. I was inspired by the weather that day. This is a relevant example of how the natural elements feature in my work more and more these days.

This is a quick painted sketch on the first page of a new Strathmore sketchbook, it's an acrylic painting of some swirly moody skies. (2020)

I'm fascinated by the intricate details and whiplash curls of the Art Nouveau period. This fairy portrait below as a blend of this style, my love for fantasy art, and my interest in the expressiveness of the human figure, which is prominent in most of my work.

Framed in a wild rose and gold border, this fairy queen gazes out of the frame, her abstract wings peak out from behind her back. A pair of horns on her head and subtle jewellery compliment the green of the rose border.

Art Nouveau Fairy Portrait Painting, done in gouache (2017)

This is one of the first complete digital paintings I did, in 2016. My love for Brian Froud and his faery books of the 90's and 2000's really influenced me here as I wanted to paint a fairy in a more real and believable, almost human sense. I've never been too sure of where this creature is going or what he carries but the storytelling aspect of this kind of artmaking is always interesting me and I think has informed my love for symbolism.

Forest Nymph digital painting, done in Adobe Photoshop (2016)

This hand drawing below was done back in 2008. I was between jobs and had some time to create. It was only during the drawing phase that I had the idea to run the petals off the page as if to imitate liquid paint. Painting and drawing flowers isn't something I do often, but is always on my project list.

Daisies, in watercolour pencils & paint (2008)

Thank you for reading this, please take a moment to comment or like this post if you found it enjoyable. If there's anything more you would like to know about a particular piece, please get in touch.