About John Whitchurch
Background
John discovered a passion for painting and drawing at primary school but, at 16, he joined the British Army and, although he maintained his interest and produced a number of paintings and cartoons for presentations and gifts, he didn’t have time or the opportunity for much more. He retired from the Army in 2014 on completion of a career that spanned 39 years, and, following a series of short courses and lessons, during which he learned some basic principles, he has been doing a considerable amount of painting.
He currently tends to primarily use pastels but also paints in oils and produces the occasional drawing. He has used watercolours but finds them very demanding and unforgiving. He has only the briefest experience of Acrylics and even less with Tempera.
He discovered pastels while viewing other artists’ work during the Somerset Arts Weeks in 2014. He then attended some lessons to learn techniques for their use and is still having a bit of a love affair with that particular medium.
His favorite subjects are seascapes and ships but he also enjoys painting landscapes, interesting faces, horses, steam trains, aircraft and military subjects. He enjoys the therapeutic benefits of painting (when it is going well) and the way the mind wanders whilst working at the easel. He also gets a real buzz from the sense of achievement gained from the creation of a successful painting and thoroughly enjoys delivering finished commissions personally to clients whenever possible.
John’s painting style is very much traditionalist, although he has had a go at abstract art which he totally fails to understand.
John is a great admirer of Caravaggio and his painting techniques are very much influenced by the way Caravaggio used light in his portraits and paintings. He also admires the attention to detail of the Victorian military painters Ernest Croft and Denis Dighton and finds inspiration in their work. He also finds inspiration in the works of Terence Cuneo, David Shepard, Robert Taylor and John Chancellor.
What's on the Easel?
In this section you can read what John's latest creation is.
Here's the completed painting 'Spirit of Resilience' that has been donated to the Art Aid Ukraine charity. Prints are available in various sizes, 27” x 22” (69cm x 56cm) (largest size available) £120 + £5 P&P, 16” x 13” (41cm x 33cm) £50 + £5 P&P or 13.5” x 11” (34cm x 28cm) £35 + £5 P&P. All profits from the sale of prints go to the charity. If you would like to order one please contact me.
