Ian found his passion for painting trees almost as soon as he started painting and is constantly amazed at how such a limited subject can offer so many opportunities for creativity and development.
For a number of years he painted exclusively with a rigid watercolour technique drawing inspiration from the likes of Rowland Hilder and Edward Seago. This work is exemplified in the “ Pastoral “ gallery.
Gradually he developed his own style based on very loose washes which are used to cover the whole paper creating the atmosphere from the start.
These washes are then painted into and the final image is allowed to gradually evolve. As no drawing takes place at the start and the images are based on imagination most work is not pre-planned. On occasion where a specific view is painted the initial full wash is still used but is manipulated to provide the relevant tones and colours in which to develop the image.
Examples of this work can be seen in the “atmospheric” and “panoramic” galleries.
Ian is always looking for ways to introduce texture into his work and has explored a variety of techniques in watercolour and his current collection features the use of watercolours on canvas prepared with gesso.
His work in acrylics uses very little water with the paint being used straight out of the tube which allows for blending on the canvas and the creation of texture. The paint is only watered down to provide the fine lines of the branches. As with his water-colours unless a specific scene is painted, as in the “Feckenham” gallery, his images develop by painting into the canvas which has already had a complete covering of paint. Brushes, palette knives, tissue, cling film and fingers are all used to help create texture and mood although for all the fine work needed he stands by his favourite rigger brushes.