Ian Sidaway RI

Richmond Park Kidney Wood - Watercolour

I came to watercolour through my illustration work after years of using both oils and acrylics. I found it enabled me to work and complete images relatively quickly and having been trained as a designer I found it sympathetic to those graphic qualities that where inevitably inherent in my work. Gradually I came to realize that it was a material that had the potential for creating images that could easily compete with those made using both oil and acrylic. I love the stuff of traditional transparent watercolour and find perverse pleasure in the struggle to seamlessly integrate the many techniques that can be called on to shape the image as the paint is applied, settles and dries. As an artist I enjoy reading the creative process and technique used in the work of others and learning from it. The challenge is in manipulating the paint to form the image whilst trying to maintain that clarity, spontaneity and freshness found in only the best watercolour work, not easy at all!

Scotland Oil Rigs Early AM - Watercolour

I collect and collate source material, linear sketchbook drawings and watercolour paintings made on location together with photographs, and piece together the image to be painted, usually from several different items of reference material, in the studio. My intention is not to recreate a photographic representation but something that hints at spirit or sense of place. Design and composition are of great importance and I will often move, add or exclude elements to improve both. A synthesis, if you will, of things seen. The paint is applied using transparent and semi transparent washes, with several being applied one over the other in order to build up strength of colour, tone and texture. Paint is applied using brushes, sponges, painting knives, bits of wood and rags, anything I think will achieve the desired effect.

 Wells Next the Sea Allotment 2 - Watercolour

Influences are wide, ranging from Peter Blake, Paul Nash and Andrew Wyeth, Cotman and Mackintosh all masters of the medium and all strong on design. I am also influenced by the strong graphic representations of British towns and countryside seen in the work of commercial artists like Frank Newbold. My subject matter currently deals with the landscape and travels both in the UK and abroad.

Web: www.iansidaway.com
Blog: Ian Sidaway Fine Line

Images and text: Copyright © Ian Sidaway 2011