Motoring art
From race tracks to movie sets, this talented artist loves the challenge of painting a dramatic scene
Few artists capture atmosphere quite like Cornwall-based Paul Dove. Be it his hero Graham Hill gunning a Ferrari 330P around the rain-soaked banking at Montlhéry in the Paris 1000kms, or The Saint’s Volvo P1800 flashing past Piccadilly Circus at night, Dove really catches the moment.
In the 18 years since he became a professional artist, Dove’s impressive compositions have become more confident as his technique has matured and his style has developed. He now tackles the task of a complex scene head on, never intimidated by painting crowds in a pitlane drama, or the packed route of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
“It’s important to get subjects technically right, and I’m never happy until the drivers are clearly recognisable,” he says. “But evoking the atmosphere is key to my pieces. I’ve switched from oils to acrylics so I can work quicker with more confidence. For night subjects I paint up from a black canvas and enjoy capturing headlights and illuminated action.”
Dove’s influences are diverse, be it watching classic films such as Genevieve or Brief Encounter, or admiring artistic heroes such as F Gordon Crosby and Terence Cuneo: “As a youngster, a Classic & Sports Car supplement on Crosby really fired my imagination for painting. I loved the way he generated atmosphere with such a direct, confident style. Cuneo, too, was brilliant at painting the mood and light inside a dark factory or rail yard. As I’ve got older, I’ve also started looking at artists outside automotive, particularly the Newlyn Cornish school.”
While his father, himself a talented sculptor, was a Jim Clark fan, Dove junior prefers Hill and has painted him many times: “I’m very jealous of Dad, who saw all these great drivers race in the ’60s. There’s something special about that era, which is why I return to it for subjects. As a kid I just warmed to the style and personality of Hill.”
Just off the easel is a dramatic rostrum study of the moustachioed legend lifting the 1963 Monaco Trophy with wife Betty congratulating him, as press photographers surround the popular victor.
As well as his spectacular racing compositions, Dove also has a talent for portraiture. His love of the 1953 Henry Cornelius comedy classic Genevieve has resulted to two superb works, and he feels lucky to have met star Dinah Sheridan, who enthusiastically signed prints. Creating a true likeness of the key characters in the film was a challenge that he embraced.
When not busy in the studio, Dove and his father enjoy driving a pair of classic Minis, including a 1965 Mk1. “They are perfect for zooming around local roads,” the Cornishman says. “One day I’ll do that The Italian Job painting.
“We don’t get to many historic race meetings, but I never miss the Goodwood Revival and now the Members’ Meeting. Those special events always inspire me.” MW