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David Taylor
Interview with the artist
When did you first start?
I tried to get started in the early 60's when I dabbled with oil paints and actually sold a picture. Over the next twenty or so years I started and stopped on several occasions. I really got serious about painting in watercolours in the 90's during a three year period working away from home. With time on my hands and easy access to the landscape of Northumberland and with space to paint, there could be no more excuses.
What is your favourite subject and why?
I concentrate on landscapes and in particular, landscapes that include running water. This includes seascapes as well as rivers and lakes. Having been brought up at the seaside the love of changing moods and colours of the sea have never left me.
Where do you work, do you have a studio?
Having managed without one for most of my life, I now have a small studio. I am finding it invaluable as I can leave paintings out; work on several at the same time and fill the available space in inspirational photographs and objects.
Describe your routine on a day when you are working on your art?
All my pictures start life as working sketches done on the spot plus a series of digital photos. Often I will convert the sketch into a fairly detailed colour sketch. These are often mistaken for finished paintings. When I come to work on a finished picture, the session starts with setting up. This usually involves a fair amount of fiddling about.
Having decided on the size of the final picture I start by displaying the photos taken when I did the original sketch - sometimes I will print out a copy. I use a Mac computer to identify the area to be included in the final picture. When I'm painting I use it to check on details. I don't paint from the computer screen or from a printout.
I never paint a picture in one session. I prefer to build it up, often over several days. Sometimes I will paint for hours but between these times I may work on some aspect of the picture for minutes. There is a danger in this approach as it can lead to over-working.
How long does it usually take you to complete an artwork?
Anything from two days to a week. The longest I work on a picture is about three to four hours. When I'm finishing it off I may work on some aspect for just a few minutes. This approach demands that you have somewhere where you can leave the picture and paints out for immediate access as and when required.
Recently I have been trying to cut down on the time I spend on outdoor sketches and paintings. I am finding that quite often a quickly executed sketch done outside has more atmosphere than a studio-based picture.
What is in your artistic toolbox?
My painting toolbox takes the form of a rucksack that is always packed up and ready to go. It contains:
* At least two sizes of sketch pad
* Paint box containing watercolours in tablet form, with large folding palette
* A selection of my most used colours in tubes - to top up the tablets
* A folding canvas case of watercolour brushes
* A roll containing a selection of large brushes including a Ron Ranson 'hake'
* A range of pencils
* A very sharp blade for scrapping paint off paper
* Various bits of wood for making a variety of marks on paper
* A large water container
* Several small water containers
* A water spray
* An insulated sheet of foam to sit on
* A digital camera -
***** and - at least one bar of chocolate
What is the best tip you can offer budding artists?
For anyone who isn't a natural (that's most of us) and who wants to paint landscapes I would say - take a small sketchbook with you and make at least one rapid sketch every time you go out. If time allows add colour/tone notes etc. Repeat the exercise by taking the minimum of kit with you and try doing small, rapid colour sketches.
Over time your powers of observation will improve, as will your sketching but above all, what I found is that it gave me the confidence to paint in the open.
Which artist, past or present, would you like to study under or collaborate with
The artist I would like to study under is Kurt Jackson. It was his body of work based around Cape Cornwall that got me to take my own painting seriously. He has been described as the greatest living impressionist in the UK although he is master of many styles. I recommend a visit to his website at http://www.kurtjackson.co.uk/ or better still to one of his exhibitons.
The nearest I have got to emulating him is to work in the landscape that inspired his Cape Cornwall and other Cornish paintings.
Who is your own favourite artist?
Monet - the ultimate impressionist.
If you want artistic 'shock and awe', go to the Marmottan Monet Museum in Paris and go first to the lower floor gallery. The website at www.marmottan.com will give you some idea what to expect but nothing can prepare you for the sigt that will great you at the foot of the stairs into the gallery.
Right now - Kurt Jackson. Take a look at his official website at http://www.kurtjackson.co.uk/
What are your future plans? What would you like to achieve?
I want to spend more time painting both in the studio and outside.
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