Dennis Gilbert NEAC
Statement
Dennis Gilbert's work follows figurative traditions: he loves painting portraits and the figure, clothed or unclothed. His subjects also include London, Venice, the Thames and holiday venues. Occasionally, he paints narrative pictures based on experience or imagination. The avant-garde fascinates him, but it is not his métier.
Methodology
Mostly, Dennis works from life. He uses oil paints, pastels, watercolour and he loves drawing. Dennis usually begin with rapid sketches. With portraits, he rarely begins painting until the second session, having decided through drawing how he wishes to proceed: composition, lighting, pose and so forth. A portrait 20” x 16” will need three or four sittings. Landscapes, in oil or watercolour, are painted on the spot, usually in a single session. Landscapes and other works are also developed from sketchbook drawings, which are a frequent source of reference.