Tom Coates HNEAC PS RBA RP (1941 - 2023)

Statement

As described by his close friend and associate, David Wolfers of the New Grafton Gallery, “Tom paints with a sense of urgency and has a natural ability to express what he sees on canvas. He is a prolific painter for whom technique is second nature.”

Tom emphasised the use of good draughtsmanship; he always had a sketch book and his specially designed Pochard Box to hand for his oils, wherever he maybe.

Methodology

Tom used all materials and works instinctively with whatever he felt would produce the best results for the image that he was working on. This included all kinds of brushes and tools, and sometimes his fingers to literally ‘draw with paint’.

Tom's library of old sketchbooks acted as a constant point of reference, and he always drew from life. Using quick, loose images, he marked out a larger image once in the studio. For Tom, photographs couldn't capture a real moment and as a result he did not use them to remind him of a subject. All his preliminary sketches and memories were real enough and represented him as the artist, capturing the moment.

Bio

1941 Born Aston, Birmingham

1956 to 1959 Bourneville College of Art

1959 to 1961 Birmingham College of Art

1961 to 1964 Won a scholarship to The Royal Academy Schools