insideKENT Magazine Issue 33 - December 2014 | Page 26

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE

anthony nield

BY LISAMARIE LAMB

Anthony Nield is an artist with a worldwide appeal. Having lived in both the UK and
Bermuda, such places inspire his work, and the results are truly beautiful. Whether
in pen and ink, oil, or his favourite medium, watercolour, Mr Nield manages to
produce work that is both exotic and familiar.
Downs

Anthony Nield

Where and how did you first
discover your passion for art?

What is your preferred
subject matter?

The first time I picked up a pencil
and crayon to draw. I may also be
genetically motivated, having two
uncles (one semi-professional) and
an aunt who was a professional
artist and did a lot for Harrods many
years ago. I remember sitting by
one of my uncles for hours learning
how to draw and watching him. I
was totally infatuated with the
process. Even on holiday as a
young boy, I would spend hours in
a studio gallery watching an artist
paint in oil with a knife, much to the
dismay of my parents.

It has to be buildings, urban, but
preferably rural, and village scenes
and landscapes in watercolour, and
pen and ink. With oils, I am more
interested in painting moody skies
and marine subjects. Painting the
sea is what I am moving towards
now.

Do you have a favourite medium?
I have recently re-discovered oil
paints. The last time I painted with
them was at school; I think I was
the only one in the school using oils
at the time. I always took in my own
paints and brushes, as the
equipment they gave you in those
days were suspect to say the least.
However, I think watercolours are
my preferred media, as I find them
more of a challenge than oils. These
last few years I have produced a
lot of pen and ink work, as you can
see by my website.

Knole

a member of Sevenoaks
Art Club has also been very
rewarding; meeting fellow
artists and having the
opportunity to see some
very good professional
artists visit and
demonstrate at the club.
What advice would you
give to those just starting
out?

How has your art changed
over time?

Paint and draw every day if possible. And it’s ok to copy work, but don’t
attempt to copy it exactly; add or leave things out, change the tone or
colour, and don’t be a slave to try and reproduce it, as you will learn very
little from that. Paint in watercolour on postcard size or double the size of
the watercolour paper. Use the biggest brush you can get away with, and
don’t fuss about detail. Better still, give yourself 20 minutes to finish each
piece. You will learn a great deal from that and develop your own style
quickly.

For the better, I hope. I have always
said if it stops improving, it’s time
to give up, and as one artist replied
after being asked of his favourite or
best painting, 'the next one', which
is also my sentiment. Since working
and painting in Bermuda, my pallet
has changed; it has become a little
richer and more vibrant due to the
extraordinary light and vegetation.

What is your ultimate goal?
There are a number of them; the first being able to give up my day job and
illustrate a book of towns and villages throughout the UK in watercolour
and pen and ink. Second, having my work regularly published in magazines,
and third, like my friend, gaining the opportunity to paint and demonstrate
on cruise ships. I think that might keep me happy until I am in my 90s.

Who or what is your inspiration?
Artists that inspire me are Winslow
Homer, Ogden Pleissner, J.M.W.
Turner, Edward Hopper, and
Stephen Card (marine artist). My
inspiration comes from being able
to exhibit my work and see if people
are inspired by or enjoy some of
the pieces, as I have others. Being

Where can we find your work?
I have work in a lovely little gallery in the Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, called
The Spa Galleries. The image of Knole is for sale in Sevenoaks Art Shop,
which is also a fine gallery, but most of my work is available at
www.anthonynield.com.

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