William de Wilde – Artist

Artist statement

I have been in love with art since I was 14 and saw paintings by Rubens in Antwerp. I initially studied medicine at Barts Hospital in London and was en route to becoming a surgeon before deciding that art was really all I wanted to do.

I studied art at Dartington College of Arts and then at Rolle College, Exmouth, under Alan Cotton and taught art in schools and colleges for 25 years in Hampshire, London, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire. I now live and work in West Sussex as a professional artist.

Exhibitions

Previous exhibitions have included the Society of Graphic Fine Artists (SGFA), the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour (RI) and the South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts (SWAc). My work is in collections worldwide - UK, Europe, Japan, Kenya, Australia and the USA and my two most recent exhibitions were featured on BBC TV. Upcoming : SGFA

Current Posts

I am a painting member of the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society, and of Nymans Florilegium, an Art Advisor to the Willow Foundation, an Artist Educator with the Towner Gallery, and a Professional Associate with the SAA. 

Teaching

With my wife, Liz Glenister, I founded the South East School of Art  in East Grinstead, West Sussex in 2010 where, together with a small staff, we taught a wide range of classes to over 100 students aged 8-87. Despite 6 grandchildren who now keep us busy, I teach classes in all media and am a popular demonstrator at art societies around the South East. I am delighted to undertake commissions too. I am currently running plein air classes at Gravetey Manor and Kingscote Estate. 

Method of Working

My interests lie in portraiture, landscape and botanical painting. This diversity allows me to explore a wide range of styles and media (pastels, watercolour, acrylic and oil), but my working method remains relatively simple. I try to analyse my surroundings, often using detailed investigative drawings, before 'loosening up' with a more expressive use of paint which allows me to explore my feelings about the subject. I passionately believe that every picture should be a new journey of exploration.

My formats vary from miniature through canvases to murals. Many of my commissions are for portraits, and people remain the most interesting and challenging subjects. I often think of portraiture as a visual branch of psychology.

Throughout my life I have also loved landscape and the natural world. Both act as a release from the rigours of human portraits and botanical painitngs and offer an invaluable opportunity for experimenting with both style and technique where the imperative of achieving a 'good likeness' is no longer paramount.


© 2024-25 William de Wilde