New Craftsman Gallery are continuing their association with rising young painter Will Calver with a new collection continuing his exploration of the still life tradition.
Jug, Halved Pear, and Walnut, by Will Calver
Painted solely from life, Will’s figurative paintings aim to convey the ‘quietude and monumentality’ of everyday objects, and pay homage to the medium and history of oil painting. His recent move to working on panel has allowed for his painterly language to come to the fore, without the intermediate texture of a woven canvas surface.
Inspired by the aesthetic of 17th century Dutch art, each work is created ‘alla-prima’ (‘at first attempt’, in Italian) and developed in three layers of paint, allowing the artist to find balance and precision in the expression of his subjects. As areas of darkness turn towards the light, Will’s translucent, jewel-like pigments transition into the subtle impasto of illuminated forms and lend a very real physicality to the play of light.
Will graduated with a BA Hons in fine art from Falmouth University in 2019, and now paints full time at his studio in rural Kent. After graduating, Will held his first solo exhibition at the New Craftsman Gallery. He has since exhibited at the London Academy of Representational Art, Porthmeor Studios, Mall Galleries London, where he received the best small portrait Award from the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, and in Massachusetts and Cape Cod in the United States.
Will Calver, New Paintings runs from 23rd November until 13th December.
