Past and present influences...
Sarah continues to be connected to one of Britain's top painters, Hugo Grenville, "he has been invaluable as a tutor and very much shaped the way I paint today". She has modelled for the artist Peter Kuhfeld and the late John Ward with whom she also drew, on a number of occasions. Prior to this Sarah studied life drawing and Portrait painting in Brugge, Belgium. Between 2001 - 2006 she went back to full time education as a mature student, gaining a BA (hons) in Fine Art, studying at both Canterbury College and Ashford School of Art and Design in Kent. Sarah continues to take regular masterclasses at LARA in London and with Hugo Grenville.
Does paint matter?
When it comes to paint only the finest and highly superior 'Old Holland' oil colours will do. Only the best pigments and binders are used to produce paints which are very concentrated and light fast. This gives high colour strength and great intensity. This is reflected in the price of my paintings.
Life drawing
Life drawing is essential as a study in order to keep your 'eye in'. The aim is not to create a masterpiece, but to go through the practice, as a yogi would go through their flow or a marathon runner would get miles in their legs, drawing becomes easier when regularly making studies from the human form.
Developing a style
My own style tends to be loose and painterly. I believe my best paintings are those which just 'flow' and are not laboured over. This can take a while to achieve, especially if unforseen circumstances have forced a break from painting. It's important not to beat yourself up when things don't go right, as in my experience I have seen some of the top artists in the country declare they 'just can't draw today' or 'feel like burning down their studio'. Part of being an artist is the self doubt that goes with it.
In the style of others
For the most part I believe Hugo Grenville has been instrumental in teaching me to paint and to develop my expressive, colourful style. Although I have a degree in fine art, the desire to learn about the more classical methods of painting have led me to study at LARA (London Atelier of Representational Art). Here I take weekly masterclasses about 3-4 times per year. However, my passion is not to make a painting to look like a photograph (unless commissioned to do so). My painting inspiration is taken from many of the early 20th Century artist's whose style I am drawn to. By copying from these I am still able to keep learning the life long skill that is 'painting'.