Toby Wright

Thanks to all who attended, making the inauguration of the new studio a fun night.

PART II, Painting between giants. Sargent's ghost.

Episode 2: Painting between giants, Sargent's Ghost.
Follow me hunting down Sargent's painting spot in the Aosta valley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLUninpUTfs&feature=youtu.be

PART II, Painting between giants. Sargent's ghost. After thorough investigation into J.S.Sargent's trips to the Alps in the early 1900's, and cross referencing maps and GPS locations, I discover where he stoo...

The Explorers Club presents: "An evening with Toby Wright - the convergence of art and science"

The Explorers Club presents: "An evening with Toby Wright - the convergence of art and science" 100 years ago, painters were significant contributors in science communication, and there’s no reason why they can’t be today. The collaboration of art and s...

PART I, Painting between giants. MER DE GLACE

Here is episode 1 of my mountaineering painting adventures. You can subscribe to my youtube channel to not miss the next episodes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH_2AXVT0T0&t=1s

PART I, Painting between giants. MER DE GLACE High altitude painting in the Alps. This is Day 1 of my acclimatisation test, in preparation for higher climbs in the days to come. Climbing and hiking up th...

TEDxMonteCarlo Tickets

This coming saturday NOV 28, you have the chance to join TEDx Monte-Carlo Women, and hear amazing discussions on being FEARLESS. Watch amazing talks, listen to experts pick them apart, and give their perspective. And for you brave ones, share your opinions in an all inclusive safe space. You can pick and choose as you wish. Participation level is up to you: just watch, or get involved and share you views. Come and go as you please all day for just 5€. Get your family together, or your colleagues all around a big screen, wherever you are in the world, get comfy and join us. We want to hear what YOU think. Get your tickets now!

https://tedxmontecarlo.com/tickets-fearless

TEDxMonteCarlo Tickets

join us at 3PM PARIS time
Watch at https://www.facebook.com/OceanGeographic/ or
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84592599327…

Next in my quarantine portraits, is "Maeve": the other main host in Westworld who questions the nature of her reality. From nagging memories, through persistent doubts, she decides to write her own destiny... or is she still in a loop?
A voyage of self discovery, and self awareness, the transformation is beautifully played by
Now progressing through season III.

Continuing with quarantine portraits. The man in black is William, played by Ed Harris. Ive rarely seen such a perfectly cast actor. Someone who can say so much with just a twitch from their face. On a path of discovery, we'll see if curiosity kills the cat. Season 1 & 2 are a treat, let's see what's in store for him in season 3. Careful what you wish for, you might be looking over your shoulder forever.

Continuing in the westworld universe, "Dolores" is revealed to us through many timelines, almost like different dimensions. Initially she chooses to see the beauty, when others see only ugliness. Westworld's characters evolve in layers and do not always follow linear conventions. It explores the very nature of past present and future, and how one's path meanders through it all.
Are we better off not questioning the nature of our reality? Is ignorance is bliss? discuss...

HBO Westworld

In times of quarantine without a model, I thought I could practice with what the kids call "fan-art". I already admired the directorship of the Nolan brothers, but Jonathan Nolan's & Lisa Joy's take on Michael Crichton's WESTWORLD is something to behold. Morality, meaning of life, free will, purpose, the search for authenticity... the list goes on from the eternal philosophical conundrums to wrestle with.
Dolores is a character from humble beginnings, but it destined for a radical path of self discovery (interpreted by Evan Rachel Wood).

Sealions swimming in full freedom. Feels good to be close to the end with this challenging project. To honour the light conditions of an underwater experience is a fascinating process. The uncharted waters (no pun intended!) can be discouraging at times, but if you collect enough information from the lived experience, you will always have a beacon lighting the way for you. You will fall off the path often enough, but as long as youve tried to make a path to start with, you should make it to the end. #famouslastwords
#animalart #ontheeasel #workinprogress #studiolife #sealife #sealions #sealionsofinstagram #losislotes #artlife #contemporaryartist #instaartist #instaanimal #instaart #wildlifeart #wildanimals #underwater #freediving #thesea #oilpainting #peintre #peinturealhuile #lamer #seaofcortez #lapazmexico #funbaja #animalsoftheworld #animalsofinstagram #otaries #explorersclub
@the_explorers_club

Sealions swimming in full freedom. Feels good to be close to the end with this challenging project. To honour the light conditions of an underwater experience is a fascinating process. The uncharted waters (no pun intended!) can be discouraging at times, but if you collect enough information from the lived experience, you will always have a beacon lighting the way for you. You will fall off the path often enough, but as long as youve tried to make a path to start with, you should make it to the end.

Sealions swimming in full freedom. Feels good to be close to the end with this challenging project. To honour the light conditions of an underwater experience is a fascinating process. The uncharted waters (no pun intended!) can be discouraging at times, but if you collect enough information from the lived experience, you will always have a beacon lighting the way for you. You will fall off the path often enough, but as long as youve tried to make a path to start with, you should make it to the end. #famouslastwords #animalart #ontheeasel #workinprogress #studiolife #sealife #sealions #sealionsofinstagram #losislotes #artlife #contemporaryartist #instaartist #instaanimal #instaart #wildlifeart #wildanimals #underwater #freediving #thesea #oilpainting #peintre #peinturealhuile #lamer #seaofcortez #lapazmexico #funbaja #animalsoftheworld #animalsofinstagram #otaries #explorersclub @the_explorers_club

Exploring new territory with the process of painting the sea lions of , Lapaz Mexico. Not very straight forward, but essentially squeezing all my collected experience & sketches & film footage into a faithfull rendition of how it all felt.
Sharing the process with students helps me say outloud how this mish-mash of references can be so overwhelming. Trying it anyway!

What was YOUR turning point?
I wasn't quite this small when the old masters opened my eyes. It was when i first saw Holbein's "the ambassadors" on a museum field trip at 19 yrs, when at university in london. When our teachers asked us what we had liked from the day's tour (museums/galleries), I shared how amazed i was at this guy called Holbein. I still remember the look of disgust on my teacher's face, followed by the denigrating response with a flick of the hand.
1: "that's been and gone"...
2: "find something original"...
3: "who cares?..anyone can paint like that".
In my mind, that last point nailed the coffin shut for this instructor.
This was a turning point, where the myth of the "all knowing" teacher from contemporary art school fell apart. I was stubborn, and kept searching for inspiration from the past, and anyone engaged in realism today.
Then i discovered the , an altogether different kind of contemporary art school.
Today, i may have a much wider spectrum of painting idols, but Holbein's control still captures my attention.
I wonder what this little boy's art journey will be?

"Landing" litterally and figuratively after a stunning trip to the sea of Cortez. Spent my days studying the sea lion colony of los islotes. Capturing the gestures and movements of these graceful creatures is a true exercise in concentration. The pups are in constant motion, but the adults are calmer. Thanks to
I could push my limits to new depths, and for wax waterproof pastels.


Photo credit 1: .nogreen @ Sea Of Cortez - Pacific Ocean

Underwater drawing of animals requires some planning. First, you can only use wax/oil pastels, as they are waterproof. My drawing panels are shiny opaque plexi which I sanded down to achieve the right "bite". No adherence to a shiny surface, so it needs to be matt. Snorkling gear: mask + snorkel + flippers (fins for U.S people). Wet suit not included here, as everyone chooses different sorts depending on water temperature. Leashes are a must, so that you don't lose your gear in the current. As you may have noticed, all my panels have a drilled hole for a ring attachment. Gopro camera to not miss a moment when drawing.

Exclusive screening of documentary "Be Natural", by Pamela B Green, narrated by Jodie Foster, revealing the story of pioneering film maker Alice-Guy Blaché(1873-1968), first and probably only woman director during 1896-1906.
Honoured to have my drawing made into an award, given by at this occasion in recognition of remarkable and inspirational women, and their fight against breast cancer. Awe-struck to meet such committed artists.

@ Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo

Shifting weather & insects stuck in paintings! Scottish summers make plein-air painting a real challenge. People often ask how to deal with changing light, and across the field of my peers, there's no definite answer, no trick. My best advice is just to have a go, experience the phenomenon, and learn how to commit to choices. Here, I was lucky enough that the wind moved the clouds & sun spots with regular repetition, so i could eventually work in a sort of piece-meal way. Also, insects can get caught in the wet paint. If the work is in progress, take them out immediately. But if they land after you're done, leave them. Wait for your painting to dry, and pick them out later with a palette knife.
@ Glen Coe, Scotland

A quick visit to the . Not much shade around in the port, so an early start is required to beat the heat. Sometimes a boat decides to set sail before you're finished! The lines of these classic yachts are so enjoyable to capture, but their gesture can be elusive. Until next year!

My new model in my aquatic studio! Finally finished writing up the experience with my underwater drawing adventure. Read up and watch the film on my website, under the latest TRAVEL BLOG.

http://www.tobywrightfineart.com/blog/2019/1/2/rffms8ymtk7z5rmuwnd0dntw3uq2xl

Photo credit

My first attempt at drawing/painting at altitude, and this requires some serious gear. At 3000m in the Alps, to get you across the glaciers, it is essential to have boots & crampons, ice axe, harness to rope up with a partner. Warm clothes, good gloves, and resistance to altitude sickness. How far do you like to push your comfort zone to draw/paint what you love?

Not sure if i prefer painting in freezing conditions or in 35`C heat. Malta has been inspiring & exhausting, but i feel i only managed to scratch the surface. A lot of ochre/orange with all the sandstone, offering stark colourful contrast with bright blue skies. So much to paint so little time.

Out and about in the sandstone cities of . Despite the intense heat, the shade luckily offers a workable space. The sun moves quickly, so the shadow shape designs have to be chased down fast! The city of Mdina has streets that are just asking to be painted, with striking abstract designs at every corner. Before comitting to a painting though, make sure you've explored whether its composition works, through quick pencil "thumnail" sketches.
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Back to my dinosaur sketching! What else would I be doing outside of portrait workshops, other than draw the fossilized skeleton of a Stegosaurus, or the 10,000 year old skull of a Sabre-toothed Tiger? Stegasorus lived in the late Jurassic 150m ya, and the sabre-toothed Tiger only as far back as 10,000 ya. A huge time void between the world of dinosaurs and recent prehistoric wildlife. It's always fascinating to imagine: What would have hapenned if Dinosaurs never went extinct?

Another great group of students (& models) for the 5 day intensive portrait workshop The Florence Academy of Art Sweden . Learning the process first and foremost. So much to go through, but with 6 hours a day you'll be surprised how much you can get done! From charcoal block-in all the way to value & colour development. Anders Zorn paintings in the local art museum to provide inspiration, especially considering we're also using a limited palette.

The big cats of Africa may all be related, but they've evolved their own singular traits. One can wrestle a zebra or wilderbeast to the ground, the other can out-sprint everything on the savannah, while another has such strength that it can carry a gazelle up a tree in its jaws! Half the fun of painting wildlife is learning the lifestyles & habits of all the creatures that make up the rich variety of nature.
Come learn all this , and even experience working from a live horse at tje studios. ANIMAL PAINTING WORKSHOP
JUNE 10-14 and/or JUNE 17-21
Sign up on FAA website on contact me here.

Even though im getting geared up for my next (human) portrait workshop, I started my new sketchbook with big cats, focusing on all their distinctive profiles: . All have their own unique attitude, and those patterns can be distracting. Always focus on form & structure first, then on the spots or stripes. Otherwise you risk missing the volume and making your drawing look flat.
REMINDER: Animal painting workshop JUNE 10-15 & JUNE 17-21. Sign up on FAA website soon.

I'm always excited getting a fresh sketchbook, to fill with new visual explorations. Sketching allows you to experiment and explore without pressure, to pursue your curiosity about the world around you.
Even though i am often a portrait painter, I also have plenty of other subjects i love: buildings, bridges, animals, boats, dinosaurs, geology, arctic ice flows, alpine peaks, anatomy, botany....
The sketchbook is the gym of the artist: It's not a judged performance, rather it can help you explore the unknown & develop new strengths. It is also for play, and can even be meditative. Next time you see something cool, don't just snap a photo, sketch it! Carve out sketching time next time you travel. Pencil, paper, sit down. Easy.

Just finished a 2 day still-life workshop. Very intense, but all the students did very well considering all the challenging set-ups to choose from. So concentrated and comitted. From charcoal drawing, to grisaille block-in, to colour. Thanks to welcoming us to their space on the .

# @ Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Thank you Repin, for this masterclass of expressive portraits. All the way from Tretyakov collection in Moscow, to the Vatican of Rome. Show ends in 2 days and it's free! Also Levitan, Kramskoy, Perov among others. Get up close and see the paint. The biggest head in this one is the size of your palm, yet the paint application is still thick and impressionistic.

A new year, a new website. This is where i share it all together: Works in progress, workshop schedules, adventure blogs and video timelapses to see the process. Just click on link on my page.
Tobywrightfineart.com



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Back to normal! After my 13 person portrait commission, I'm finally back to a more conventional size and set-up. Work in progress, with some fun little extras: dog and horse? When a King Charles is part of the family, it has to be included!

2018's top nine was quite the mixed bag. It was a great year with so much variety: from ballet dancer legs to Bongos, intimate interiors to a giant 13 person portrait commission! But it seems like the portraits pull through in first position, with animals in second.