Toni Hargreaves Handsigned and Numbered Limited Edition Boxed canvas:"George"Item #: WG-THGC1Artist: Toni Hargreaves Title: George Size: 30" x 30" Edition Size: Artist Hand Signed and Numbered Limited Edition to 95 Medium: Boxed canvas About the Artist: HISTORY & BACKGROUND I spent five years at Blackpool and Fylde College of Art, studying first technical illustration then specialising in scientific illustration with a view to becoming a medical illustrator. I worked for a medical publisher in Surrey as an illustrator before returning to the north to pursue a career as a freelance wildlife illustrator eventually signing to a London illustration agency. Computer based illustration and digitised artwork were beginning to affect the role of the wildlife illustrator and the type of work available. It was then to prove a turning point in my career when, in 1997, I met quite a few international wildlife artists whilst exhibiting at the British Falconry Fair. This led to me painting wildlife pictures, often working from my own photographs of reference as well as sketch material gained from the field, including trips to Kenya and Botswana on safari. Every artist needs a new challenge to incite the enthusiasm, so after a number of years painting traditional wildlife paintings I decided to experiment on box canvas with a more contemporary approach to my animals. Signing with Washington Green has enabled me to concentrate completely on my painting by giving me an opportunity to show my work to a wider audience. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF If I'm starting a new painting I prefer to start the piece first thing in the morning and never on a Friday as I feel compelled to work all weekend when the background paint is wet. Generally, I work “office hours” to keep a routine but if a piece is going well or if I've had an appointment during the day I work later. It's easier in summer when the nights are lighter as I don't enjoy painting in artificial light. Good sunny days are sometimes a chance to join the cows in their field and collect some more reference material. I'm lucky that most of my subjects are on my doorstep. I check my e mails before I start and then I organise my studio trolley with the brushes I need before I squeeze out the oil colours that I want to use on to my palette. It's a methodical process, applying paint, assessing it, altering it and applying more paint which I do each day whilst the image and character develop before me. I paint through the day listening to the radio, switching between the commercial stations when I know all the adverts word perfect! There's always a CD or some music on in the background whilst I work. The end of the working day begins the tedious process of brush cleaning and although I know it must be done thoroughly to maximise their life it doesn't get any more pleasurable! I don't often work after my evening meal unless it's to draw out another painting ready for the next session or to deal with paperwork and e mails. It's nice to be able to enjoy a meal and share a good bottle of wine and conversation. |
