Darren Rees SWLA

Statement

Darren Rees' paintings concern his encounters with wildlife and relate to the circumstances that he viewed the subjects. For many people, this defines and limits wildlife art, but Darren argues that it is a very human characteristic to celebrate nature, and his work documents a personal emotional and visual response to the world around us.

Methodology

When Darren is outdoors watching wildlife, he most often uses watercolour as it has a freshness and immediacy that he enjoys. It’s quick for field sketches and he keeps to the traditional techniques, using transparent washes on paper. Darren's larger studio paintings are based on his encounters in the field. Sketches, drawings and watercolours from life are pored over and brought together (sometimes augmented with his photographic or video references) to create larger acrylic or oil paintings. Using opaque media allows Darren to edit and manipulate compositions, often with several animals, with more ease than watercolour. Texture can be created by using bold brushstrokes at the blocking in stage, with the subsequent layers adding an interest to the paint application. It can make for a more tactile experience than watercolour - as if he is sculpting the animals with every brushstroke.

Bio

1961 Born on the 15th March in Andover, Hampshire

1980-83 BSc Hons in Mathematics, Southampton UniversitySelf taught artist

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