Kim Whitby
Art Forms
Drawing, Painting
Artist information
I am interested in where drawing stops and painting starts. I mostly work from direct observation, my own directly made reference, or as is my preference en plein air. I enjoy colour and use both watercolour and oil paint, but I am mostly known for my work in ink on paper.
Much of my work I consider to be drawing, but the marks, patterns and shapes which I make are frequently in a wet medium, and might equally be considered painting. Finding characteristic marks to suggestively abbreviate and describe visual elements economically, enables me to work spontaneously, capture a moment in time and retain a sketchbook freshness. Structures appeal to me visually, as subject matter and starting points with architecture, trees, rocks, mountains and boats triggering my initial interest.
I find scale especially intriguing in both the immediate sense of it when working directly, but I enjoy exploring how scale can be communicated when formulating compositions. I relish working in all sizes too. I have a particular love of immersing myself in places of historical or geographical uniqueness or intrigue.
I have had a some amazing experiences as an artist. Here are a few tasters – winning en plein air competitions (Pintar Rapido, Chelsea /Broadway Paint Off)- becoming a finalist on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year – fabulous commissions (Jane Austen’s House Museum/ The Defence Academy of the United Kingdom/Hampshire Cultural Trust/The National Trust Northern Ireland) -being invited to teach in national institutions (Art Academy London/West Dean College of Art and Conservation) – exhibiting nationally (Turner Contemporary Margate/RSMA/The Sunday Times Watercolour competition/ING/Kuffin Williams Drawing Prize)
I am always looking for the next stop on my art journey.
I was formerly a full time teacher (BEd Art specialism)until completing my MA in 2014. I found the experience of being a receiver of education as an adult, has greatly enhanced how I teach fellow adults; enabling me to better progress fellow adult artist learners.