David Howell PPRSMA

Statement

Irrespective of the subject, my prime objective is to produce good paintings - that's all that really matters.  I aim generally to capture a sense of time and place in my work but the essential ingredients of composition, colour and tone are equally important and the finished pictures have to be good enough to be worth a second look and perhaps stand the test of time.

Methodology

I paint in watercolour, oil, and pastels and where possible prefer to work en plein air.  Most of my work is of marine and landscape subjects but I also paint equestrian pictures related to racing, life work and from time to time anything else that takes my fancy.  If weather, time or tide are against me I  produce sketches to be worked on back in the studio and these days rarely bother with a camera.  If I do use photographic references, then I will still produce a working sketch.  I normally work on watercolours without preliminary pencil drawing and with the painting surface laid flat.  Smaller oils are usually on prepared panels, primed with a mid tone ground and which are easier to transport and handle outside and like larger studio pictures on canvas are worked on with both knife and brushes. Because I frequently uses either a motor bike or cycle to get to where I want to be, I've learned the art of travelling light and keeping clutter to a minimum.

Any commission work that David takes on has to be something that he is interested in and current work includes a large equestrian subject and Arabian painting.  David does a limited amount of teaching - 2016 sees him at Dedham Hall and Staithes Art School and possibly a return to France.

Bio

1939 Born on 14 July in Markyate, Hertfordshire

1995 Elected an Associate Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists

1997 Elected full Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists

2003 Appointed Vice President of the Royal Society of Marine Artists

2008 Appointed President of the Royal Society of Marine Artist