Malcolm Ashman RBA RWA

Malcolm likes painting the landscape; he likes painting people.

He enjoys being in the landscape but it’s the recollection of that experience which makes hum want to paint. At one time he painted from life, watercolours en plein air, but after many years he wanted something different. Gradually he evolved a new way of working. Malcolm still makes drawings from observation and uses these as his starting point but then memory takes over which naturally simplifies and abstracts what results. He is still observing but from a distance. 

Painting people is all about observation. I like to spend as much time as possible with the sitter. I find taking photographs a good way to get to know someone and they can be useful reference but they are no match for the human eye which sees so much more.

Drawing is probably the most useful tool. I find people relax very quickly when I’m drawing them. We chat about everything under the sun and slowly I get a glimpse of what I want from the portrait.