Rob Pointon

"Rob Pointon is without question one of the most exciting artists working and living in the UK."

Rob Pointon happy at work

As part of my GCSE coursework, one of my artists that I studied over the 2 years was Rob Pointon. I first saw his work at The Crick Show- a boat show, mainly for narrowboats. Unfortunately I didn't meet him here as he just finished a painting and went to get some refreshments and leave his painting to dry. Although he wasn't there personally, co-workers of his told me that he aims to support all young artists. Soon after, I emailed him about using him as an artist study in my GCSE art and he seemed enthralled. As soon as I saw his work, I was able to spot inspiration from artists old and young, everyone from Monet to Van Gogh, I was able to see in his work. On his website, he is described as "without question one of the most exciting artists working and living in the UK" and I can certainly agree with it.

The Crick Show, where I first saw Rob Pointons' work

Rob Pointon brings a new perspective to painting. An understanding of drawing can be seen at the core of his work, although now working mainly in oils and working 'en plein air'. Rob has a great distinguishing characteristic in his use of a wide-angle perspective- at times as far as 360° "which enables him to encompass a phenomenal sense of the world around him in a single canvas". 

A photo of his work alongside the area he painted, presumably in the English Canal System

At such a young age, Rob has already travelled to many countries and taken a year to travel the canals of Britain, while painting. All his paintings from this year trip have been put on display around the country in exhibitions called 'Year of the Boat'. Rob has also painted over 75 paintings and has been awarded the 'Young Artist Award from NADFAS (2005)'. He has now continued to paint and exhibit his work around the country.

Cronk Hill

Using oil paints with bright, vibrant colours, Rob creates detailed and realistic paintings grasping the beauty of some unnatural places. He says himself "On the boat you slowly and silently glide through this alien cathedral of artificial noise and vibration..." I also find that Rob's paintings has an abstract feel about them, because of his use of wide-angle perspective.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

On his website he is described as; "Rob Pointon is without question one of the most exciting artists working and living in the UK. His exceptional talents have been recognised by a hst of comissions and acquisitions by high profile collectors, of whom the list  is headed by HRH The Prince of Wales and Her Grace Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire. Rob was the Regional Winner in last year's Fine Art Open Competition at Weston Park and works that he subsequently produced of the V Festival and Guild of British Travel Writers Dinner were purchased by the Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation as a part of the inalienable collections of that House where they have joined the ranks of exceptional and internationally significant works by John Constable, Sir Anthony van Dyck and Holbein. Born in North Staffordshire, Rob is proud of his Potteries roots and, unsurprisingly, the industries and their legacy within that region feature frequently in his works. Having graduated with First Class honours from the University of Wales Aberystwyth, Rob undertook a postgraduate course at The Prince's Drawing School in London. An understanding of drawing can be seen at the core of Rob's works, although now working predominantly in oils and working en plein air. The great distinguishing characteristic is his use of a wide-angle perspective - at times as far as 360 degrees - which enables him to encompass a phenomenal of the world around him within a single canvas.' Gareth J.L. Williams M.A., Curator and Head of Learning to the Weston Park Foundation

Chirk Aqueduct

A copy of Rob Pointon's work as part of my GCSE coursework

33 things to cure artist block

Have you ever had one of those days or weeks where you want to draw something but you can't? Well, here's 33 tips to cure your artist block

1. Listen to music
2. Stay positive
3. Remain focused
4. Take a break
5. Exercise
6. Be confident in yourself
7. Mindmap
8. Find new inspiration pieces
9. Go outside
10. Keep a notepad on you at all times
11. Copy from other artists instead of creating your own work
12. Do a life drawing session
13. Doodle
14. Change mediums
15. Take a new direction
16. Draw something different- anatomy for example
17. Read things that will stimulate the visual vortex
18. Re-design something e.g. old cartoons, manga, etc
19. Leave it for a week
20. Just do it
21. Find yourself a genius
22. Talk through it
23. Sleep
24. Read some books
25. Meditate
26. Do some yoga
27. Force yourself to procrastinate
28. Keep busy with other things
29. Sit down, shut up, go off-line
30. Go and sit in the park and watch the world go buy
31. Do some photography
32. Search for excitement
33. Draw the same thing for 30 days in different ways

Hyperrealism

"Hyperrealism is a genre of painting and sculpture resembling a high-resolution photograph."

The early 21st Century Hyperrealism was founded on the aesthetic principles of Photorealism. American painter Denis Peterson, whose pioneering works are universally viewed as an offshot of Photorealism, first used "Hyperrealism" to apply to the new movement and its splinter group of artists.
However, Hyperrealism is contrasted with the literal approach found in traditional photorealist paintings of the late 20th Century. Hyperrealist painters and sculptors use photographic images as a reference source from which to create a more definitive and detailed rendering, one that often, unlike Photorealism, is narrative and emotive in its depictions.

Hyperrealism, although photographic in essence, often entails a softer, much more complex focus on the subject depicted, presenting it as a living, tangible object. These objects and scenes in Hyperrealism paintings and sculptures are meticulously detailed to create the illusion of a reality not seen in the original photo. This is not to say they're surreal, as the illusion is a convincing depiction of (simulated) reality. Textures, surfaces, lighting effects, and shadows appear clearer and more distinct than the reference photo or even the actual subject itself.

Subject matter ranges from portraits, figurative art, still life, landscpaes, cityscapes and narrative scenes. The more recent hyperrealist style is much more literal than Photorealism as to exact pictorial detail with an emphasis on social, cultural or political themes. 

Hyperreal paintings and sculptures further create a tangible solidity and physical presence through subtle lighting and shading effects. Shapes, forms and areas closest to the forefront of the image visually appear beyond the frontal plane of the canvas, and in the case of sculptures, details have more clarity than in nature. Hyperrealistic images are typically 10 to 20 times the size of the original photographic reference source, yet retain an extremely high resolution in colour, precision and detail. Many of the painting are achieved with an airbrush, using acrylics, oils or a combination of both.

VVG

Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh can be counted as one of the most famous and remembered artists in history. 

He was once shunned as mad and tortured because he could see the world in a way that no one else could. Van Goghs' work is now some of the most recognizable work in the world due to the way that he painted and drew his work.

Starry Night

Van Gogh was born in 1853 and grew up in Holland with a religious family due to his father being a minister. When his school ended, Vincent followed his Uncle's profession and became an art dealer. He learnt the trade in Holland and then came to work in England and France. He was successful and initially happy with his work however, he grew tired of the business of art, especcialy in Paris, and lost interest in the trading of art. Vincent returned home where he began to study theology. Even though he was passionate and enthusiastic, he failed exams to enter a couple of programmes. He then worked as a missionary in a coal mining community with hard working poor common people. As his devlopment as a preacher was stalling, his interest in those around him was increasing. His life as an artist was beginning.

Wheat Field with Cypresses

When Van Gogh was 27 years old, he entered the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, Belgium. The following winter, living in Amsterdam, Vincent fell in love, had his heart broken, and began painting. The next few years would result in little success in both love and art.

Potato Eaters, painted in 1885 was Van Gogh's first major piece of work. At this time, he was also still having difficulty finding love, but was beginning to receive interest in his paintings. He was now fully devoting himself to painting; living frugally, studying colour theory, and admiring works of other artists such as Peter Paul Rubens. Sadly, Vincent found that his paintings were difficult to sell, which carried on throughout his life. Theo, as his brother and an art dealer, suggested that there should be more colour in his work. Impressionism was becoming popular at this time with bright and vivid colours, while Vincent's work was painting peasants and rural landscapes using dark earth tones.

Sunflowers

After this, Vincent moved to Paris where his art began to take on the style that would make him famous. In Paris, he talked about art to some of the most avant-garde and influential artists of his time - painters such as Gauguin, Bernard, and Toulouse-Lautrec. He proceeded to use more colour and applying the paint with thick, bold brushstrokes. Vincent also began to paint all that was surrounding him. One of his dreams was to start an art colony in Arles in the south of France. Vincent moved here where he was later on joined by Gauguin. While there, Van Gogh entered the most productive and creative period of his life. It was at this time Van Gogh painted his famous Sunflowers. However, it was also a time of great turmoil for Vincent as he was beginning a period of hospital stays for mental illness and physical decline.

After just ten years of painting and producing some 900 paintings, Vincent Van Gogh committed suicide in 1890. Even though he was never fully appreciated in his own time, it wouldn't take long for the art world to recognise the genius they lost. Within twenty years of his death, there were memorial shows of his works all over the world - influencing generations of artists to come.

Vincent Van Gogh's last painting; Wheat Field with Crows

For me, Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most inspirational artists that you can find. Even though he may have been classed as mentally ill, he has painted in a way that no other artist has dared to paint which not only makes his work unique but makes him unique too.

Doctor Who and Vincent Van Gogh

3 Top Artist Tools

I usually have questions from people asking the top art tools that I take with me on a daily basis

1. I always have a pencil case with me of some sort, if not a pencil is always at hand. Do not worry if you don't have a rubber or a ruler or anything else that is usually in a pencil case - If you have a pencil to draw with then you'll be fine. Any sort of pencil is fine however HB is probably best for quick sketches.
2. A small sketchbook - A4 or A5 is perfect for sketching down small ideas to perfect later when you are in a more suitable place to draw or paint. If you are in a suitable place and you have the time then sit down, enjoy your surroundings and do some art!



Sketch book (Google Images)

3. A camera of some sort is always in my pocket or bag. A phone or a more professional camera, I suggest to always have one in case of emergency. I don't know about you but there has always been a time when I wished I had a camera in my hand to catch a perfect shot. A camera will not pick up as much detail as the human eye but can produce some interesting photos that you can then draw or paint from later. This also ensures you do not miss a moment and you can see more instead of sitting down and drawing. Don't forget that different cameras have different quality so pick the one best for you.

Professional or not? It doesn't matter as long as you have a camera at hand!