Brendan Smith RI
Following a life-long interest in art and illustration I have been painting full time since 2014.
Combining looseness of execution with sound technique, works are usually developed from black and white studies, plein air sketches and photos which are used to produce a base drawing. Watercolour is a favourite medium but when the subject demands more detail, depth and solidity of colour acrylics, oils or gouache may be used.
I like to cover as broad a range of subject matter as possible including people, landscapes, townscapes, marine and aviation but all based on my personal experience. Whatever the subject or medium I always seek to create a sense of light and atmosphere, and a feeling of human involvement with the scene.
My acrylic painting technique was the subject of an article in the Painters Online e-newsletter and two articles published in 'Leisure Painter' magazine (November/December 2017). My article 'Gouache in the Garden' was published in 'Paint', the magazine of the Society for All Artists in July 2020.
I was delighted and honoured to be elected as a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 2022.
Exhibitions and Awards
Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours 207th Open Exhibition 2019
Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours 208th Open Exhibition 2020. (Winner of the Escoda Barcelona prize for an outstanding landscape)
Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours 209th Open Exhibition 2021 (Winner of the Schmincke Award for an outstanding work)
Royal Society of Marine Artists Open Exhibition 2021
Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours 210th Open Exhibition 2022
Regular exhibitions in Surrey.