Phil is a contemporary realist artist specialising in figurative works, portraits, and still-life. His preferred method of working is primarily from life under natural light. Phil worked in Information Technology before taking up studies of classical drawing and painting techniques.
Phil has studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney and has also studied classical drawing and painting techniques in Italy at the Florence Academy of Art. Phil has been a finalist in major realist drawing and painting prizes such as the Alice Bale and Kenneth Jack Memorial Award as well as being a finalist in the Percival Portrait Prize, Blue Mountains Portraits, Mudgee Portrait Prize and the National Portrait Gallery Darling Portrait Prize. Phil also has been an instructor in classical drawing and painting techniques and artistic anatomy at the ARC accredited Julian Ashton Art School.
Statement
Drawing and painting has always seemed magical, especially being able to capture lighting and mood. I have always had a fascination with technique and process, and this has transferred to my art practice with a deep interest in the classical techniques of the study and application of the skills of drawing and painting.
Travel to Europe and studying at the Florence Academy of Art and at Australia's famous Julian Ashton Art School have given me some of these foundation skills to express my love of light on simple, everyday objects.
In this mad, cruel and rushed world I'd like to bring a little peace and beauty into it, whilst also emphasizing a joy in taking time to perfect something that will hopefully not go straight to landfill after a fleeting moment of instant gratification. I take my influences, materials and techniques from the Dutch golden age. Using natural light and historical pigments on a archival supports such as copper plate, for a lasting work that doesn’t shout, but asks for a deeper and more contemplative response.