My Practice is centered around observational drawing. When drawing, I tend to use willow charcoal as I find it has particular qualities for emulating light. This enables me to effectively interpret and respond to a subject matter, whether I am creating a portrait or drawing from the atmospheric influence of light over the landscape or environment.
I work by both daylight and at night. The nocturnal hours can be a fascinating time for observational drawing. I often find that our environment, when illuminated by human ingenuity, can adopt a strangeness and sense of artificiality. At night a tree (for example) when lit from a low level by electric lighting, becomes a still life. For me, drawing is the most efficient means of recording this visual sensation and for capturing the subtle shifts in tone required to accurately describe the peculiarities of lamp lit space.
Portraiture
I often find that the most distinctive aspects of successful portraiture will be in the nuanced details. When creating a portrait I am looking to combine a sense of the character or personality of the sitter along with an accurate resemblance of their image.
I create portraits in 'head and shoulder' length, 'head to hands' and full-figure. Drawings can either be made from life and would then require between one and four sittings (depending on the size and complexity) or from photography, usually requiring a single sitting. I am happy to travel to my sitters and am currently not registered for VAT. For more information and a rough fee guide, feel free to get in touch by phone or email and I will be happy to discuss my portraiture and answer queries in more detail.
Teaching
I currently lead workshops in painting and drawing at Hampstead School of Art and Kenwood House.
@framefactorydraw a weekly drop in life-drawing class in Highbury, north London
Private tuition for drawing painting and portfolio preparation.
Education
The Royal Drawing School postgraduate Scholarship - 2015
Winchester School of Art, Fine art practice and theory, University of Southampton - 2009
Exhibitions
Russell Gallery Seasonal shows - 2016/17
The ING Discerning Eye Exhibition - 2016
The Royal Society of Portrait Painters - 2016
The Lynn Painter Stainers Prize - 2016
The Best of the Drawing Year (Christies) - 2015
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters - 2013
The Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize _ 2011
The Cork Street Art Prize - 2010/11
Paintings and Works on Paper, Winchester University - 2011
Angelus Gallery, Winchester College - 2010
Awards and Residencies
Moritz-Heyman Artist Residency - 2017
Dumfries House Artist Residency – 2017
The Phyllis Roberts Award – 2013
Winchester College Artist Residency - 2010
All work on this site is copyright F.R.Martin.