PaintersOnline editor’s choice
Meet this month’s editor’s choice winner from our PaintersOnline gallery
Brian Collins has always been drawn to the ever-changing drama of the sea. ‘I grew up on the coast,’ he writes, ‘where the sea became my playground. I was always fascinated by the changing moods of the sea, and the colours ranging from deep blue to sandy storm yellows. I enlisted in the military from 1957 to 1960 and, on leaving, started my career as an engineer. During the evenings I studied art at the Thanet School of Art and moved to London in the 60s. I have continued studying art at the Norfolk School of Art and through courses at Dedham, Exmouth, and at the Bankside Gallery in London.
‘Whilst travelling I take my book and watercolours to try and capture the sea and landscapes. I try to paint outside as often as I can and get the impressions with a small watercolour or sketch. I take lots of photos for that very important light direction, as there’s never enough time in the field. I mainly work in oils with the occasional watercolour.
‘I start with a board or canvas with the opposite warm or cold colour base to the main colour of the finished painting. In Cornish Cliffs (left) for example, the finished work is primarily blue, so I applied a warm base colour of burnt sienna. Whilst the base colour is still wet, I remove the highlights with a tissue, which leaves a ghostly image. Once this is dry, I start to establish the large blocks of tones, working from large to smaller and checking on the composition as I go. I then paint in the traditional way – thin to thick.
‘In 2005 I was pleased to have my first painting accepted for the Royal Society of Marine Artists’ annual exhibition. Since then, I have exhibited with them most years. In October 2020, I had a call from the president of the RSMA informing me that I have now become a member of this amazing society.
‘In addition, I am a member of Harrow Open Studios, which we hope will take place in the first weekends of June; www.harrowopenstudios.com
I am also president of the Pinner Sketch Club, which holds its exhibition in early August; www.pinnersketchclub.co.uk
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