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Bob Barker
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scuro for dramatic effect and Repoussoir as a compositional tool. "I create atmosphere and drama through absolute contrasts between the brightest brights and the darkest darks," explained Bob. "One of my great influences in this respect is John Atkinson Grimshaw, a Victorian
era artist from Leeds, whose own use of the method earned him the name The Painter of Moonlight." The lamp lighter in With Ladder &With Light showcases Bob's use of Repoussoir to create depth in the painting. Before becoming a full time artist, he
trained as a photographer, and ran his own video production company for over 20 years. "I became very skilled at creating depth of field and focusing peo- ple's attention where I wanted it to be. I'm probably using what I learned then and applying it in my paintings." A touch of this, a bit of that
applying paint, what I had in mind changes in an instant and becomes better. I paint the sky first and however it turns out, sets the mood for the whole painting. Then I compose the piece as I go along." He also spends a lot of time looking at his work on the canvas. "I tend to have 10 or 15 minute bursts of painting then I sit back and just look for a while. When I start painting again I apply a touch of this and a bit of that wherever it feels right. My brushstrokes tend to take over at that point and seem to have a life of their own. Sometimes I look at a painting I'm pleased with and think - where did that come from?" Gallery 'As Time Goes By' will be exhibited across Great Britain, with Bob Barker making some special appearance in selected Castle Galleries. castlegalleries.com
1 With Ladder &With Light Canvas edition of 195 Image 20¾" x 26" Framed £565 2 We Go Together Like AWish & A Smile Canvas edition of 195 Image 24" x 24" Framed £599 Image 20¾" x 26" Framed £565 4 Into Every Life A Little Rain Image 24" x 24" Framed £599 Canvas edition of 195 3 Whale Of A Time Canvas edition of 195
Techniques of theOldMasters Ciaroscuro The hallmark of
Caravaggio, literally meaning 'light dark' in Italian, involves skillfully balancing light and dark contrasts to create a dramatic feel. Grisaille The classic oil painting technique originally involved layering glazes of colour on top of a thin monotone base - usually grey - to create a rich, lustrous finished surface. It was widely borrowed from Old Masters such as Rembrandt and Rubens. Repoussoir This compositional tool creates the illusion of depth by focusing the eye on something large in the foreground, with 17th Century Dutch masters such as Vermeer adapting the technique in various ways.
The pieces that Bob creates are very much an evolution, and often happen almost of their own accord. "When I sit down to work, I usually have an idea of what I want to do," said Bob, "but when I start
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Canvas edition of 195
Image 24" x 24" Framed £599
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BobBarker onTour
Castle Galleries, Meadowhall - 22 Sep 1-4pm Castle Galleries, Bristol - 29 Sep 3-6pm Castle Galleries, Wolverhampton - 06 Oct 12-3pm Castle Galleries, Norwich - 13 Oct 12-3pm Castle Galleries, Stratford - 20 Oct 12-3pm Castle Galleries, Windsor - 21 Oct 2-4pm
Castle Galleries, Solihull - 27 Oct 1-4pm Castle Galleries, York - 10 Nov 1-4pm Castle Galleries, Glasgow - 17 Nov 1-4pm Castle Galleries, Trafford Centre - 09 Dec 1-5pm Castle Galleries, Milton Keynes - 15 Dec 12:30-3:30pm *Dates correct at time of publication. Check with gallery for more details.
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FINE ART COLLECTOR AUTUMN 2012
AUTUMN 2012 FINE ART COLLECTOR
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