Colin Allbrook RI RSMA

Statement

Living in the South West of England the focus of Allbrook’s paintings are very often the everyday life he finds around him in North Devon or in Cornwall.

Days are frequently spent on the coast recording the light as it shines on the estuary, or reveals the fissures and gullies on the cliffs. Other days are spent observing the more industrial side of the coastline, taking in details such as a ship laying in a dry dock while the workmen labour on a refit.  

Allbrook's inspiration also derives from candid activity on a farm to trips following the hunt or a local shoot where he records the movement and colour as they cross the winter landscape with its ever changing light. 

Working in oils or watercolour from studies, sketches and other reference gathered on site, Allbrook tries to recreate the atmosphere and the feeling of the moment seen.

Methodology

Allbrook's method of working is to draw on the spot, catching a sense of time and place. These can be simple studies but are often more complex, allowing Allbrook to adjust and alter the image later. In the studio these drawings, supplemented with some photographs, become the basis of his artwork. With watercolour, Allbrook favours a handmade tinted paper from a Somerset mill, on which he can manipulate the painting by washing out certain areas, scratching with a scalpel blade and adding body colour until he has achieved the feel he wants. The addition of body colour gives some of the washes a chalky and atmospheric quality. Allbrook also paints in oils using drawings as a starting point, although with both these mediums he does paint on the spot. Often these paintings are complete in themselves but can be the basis for a larger, finished work back in the studio.

Bio

1954 Born on 8 March in Barnet, Hertfordshire

1971-75 Worked at a commercial art studio in London and took evening classes St Martins School of Art

1998 Elected to the Society of Equestrian Artists 

2001 Elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours

2008 Elected to the Royal Society of Marine Artists

2013 Made an Honorary member of the Society of Equestrian Artists

Has exhibited regularly with the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Sunday Times Watercolour competition 

In the South West exhibits regularly with Royal West of England Academy and the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts of which he is a member 

Married with three children Colin lives in North Devon

Work in collections of Daler /Rowney, Burton Art Gallery & Museum, Marquis of Salisbury and many other private collections

Work can be seen at the John Noott Gallery Broadway, Lincoln Joyce Gallery Surrey, Minster Gallery Winchester, Waterside Gallery Devon 

Memberships

Society of Equestrian Artists, South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts