6th November 2015 - Gregory Wellman

 

The Otter Vale Art Society was delighted to welcome renowned portrait painter and wildlife artist, Gregory Wellman to its meeting at the Institute on November 6th.  Born in Dorset, Gregory moved with his family to Australia when he was ten, but later returned to Devon to complete his education in art and drama.  He now lives in Tiverton and has established a worldwide reputation for his work with the people and wildlife of Africa as well as commissioned portraits, often of well-known actors of the stage and screen.

 

Gregory showed the society how he works with pastels in producing a stunning likeness of Sir Ian McKellen, whose somewhat lived-in countenance made an excellent subject to demonstrate how the warm tones and detail achievable with this medium can convey something of the essence of the sitter.

 

Using the current vogue for likening artistic endeavour to a journey, chairman of the society, Neil Marshall, expressed the appreciation of all those present by comparing the pleasure of watching Gregory at work to that of watching the landscape gradually change on a long overland trek.  Portrait painting is often perceived as the most difficult of subjects for artists but many OVAS members were inspired to have a go themselves and sign up for a possible future workshop with Gregory.

 

Pictures, clockwise from top left: Gregory with self-portrait, Ian McKellen in pastels by Gregory Wellman 6/11/15, Some of Gregory's previous work on display, members admire his work at the half way break.