Ian Rawling PS

Statement

During my time at art college in Chester and Sheffield in the late 1980s I supplemented my student grant by doing large scale pavement drawings in pastels, chalk and charcoal. A subsequent career in art and illustration followed involving the creation and publication of numerous greetings cards and limited edition prints for large companies.

More recently I have enjoyed returning to pastels and charcoal with my depiction of everyday subjects in a realist style. I love the hands-on creative process involved and the vibrant colours and various mark-making techniques I can use from broad sweeps of colour to the tiniest of details. Although my primary aim is to paint a realistic picture I also like how, on closer inspection, some techniques I use such as cross hatching and underlying brushstrokes are revealed to the viewer. With simple compositions and a limited colour palette I try to give emphasis to the textures and fine details which help give the impression of reality.

Methodology

I work mainly in soft pastels and pastel pencils as well as charcoal.

My pastel technique involves painting onto a ready-made lightly textured paper or onto a wooden panel with a brushed or textured ground. Having taken many photographs of the subject and settled on a composition I sketch the basic outline and important details onto the board. Then, using the soft pastels, I block in the larger areas and gradually work towards the finer details with the pastel pencils. I use my fingers for blending as well as the outside of my palm for large flat areas and a paper stump for the small details. The pastel pencils are especially good for highlights and when I need a crisp edge.

When drawing in charcoal I use compressed charcoal for the darkest areas, charcoal sticks and pencils for the mid tones and simply the white of the board for the white areas and highlights. As with the pastels, I use my fingers and paper stump for blending but also use a putty rubber for lifting off lighter areas and a scalpel blade for sharp edges and subtle texture.

Bio

Education:

Foundation in Art & Design, Chester School of Art, 1984-1985

Industrial Design BA (Hons), Sheffield Art College, 1985-1988

Work Experience:

Freelance Artist & Illustrator, 1988-1992

Artist & Illustrator, Hallmark Cards, 1992-2003

Freelance Artist & Illustrator, 2003-present day, including work for:

De Montfort Fine Art Publishers, 2005-2012

Card Factory, 2010-present day

Collier & Dobson Fine Art Publishers, 2014-15