PAUL TAGGART
Artist: Author
Anyone who can hold a brush or pencil can learn to draw and paint. Even the relaxed pleasures of scribbling can yield wonderful results and the simple act of adding a wash of colour to a scribble is the first step for budding artists
The simplest of sketches is a work of art that leads ultimately to a better understanding of drawing and painting and somewhere along the route to learning all aspiring artists wish to make a statement through their first complete painting.
It is my personal belief that professional artists such as myself should not keep the joy of drawing and painting to ourselves, we should share it with those who are starting out on the road of self-discovery through this most fulfilling of pursuits.
In
line with that belief I endeavour through my books, videos, courses
and this website to publish as much information as possible on how
to start off in drawing and painting. To give help and encouragement
to not only those who are starting out, but those who seek to develop,
whether it is for personal fulfilment or professional improvement.
Even those who already paint should be encouraged to discover new ideas to help them develop their painting abilities further, whether it is in investigating other media such as watercolours, oils, acrylics, pastels, inks and gouache, or in manipulating familiar painting tools in a completely different way.
Drawing and painting has always figured large in my life from a very early age. Ever since I turned professional nearly thirty years ago, it has been my pleasure to work with painters of all abilities in finding their way from the first tentative steps with a pencil and brush to producing work of a standard that in some cases had never been envisioned.
No artist ceases to learn and improve, be they someone who paints
for pleasure or a practising professional. The passing on of knowledge
is a two-way street and I have gained much from those that attend my
courses or communicate with me as a result of following my books, videos
or this website.
To all visitors I say welcome and it is my fervent hope that you gain something from visiting this site. To all who contact me via letter or e-mail, I say thank you for taking the time and trouble to do so.
Fine Art | Elphen Chronicles | Home | Videos | Publications
Fine Art
As
a professional Fine Artist, Paul Taggart's work has sold consistently
for nigh on 30 years, with 60 plus exhibitions to his name. His work
is to be found in many private collections with paintings in the Middle
East, Far East, Europe and America. Though his early work was sold
through galleries, most of his exhibitions are privately held these
days, or organised for charity fundraising purposes. Work is commissioned
or sold to collectors through Invitation-Only private views.
Attention to techniques and wide-ranging knowledge of most media enables him to work in the medium that brings out the best of the subject. Over the years his portfolio of work has included watercolours, oils, acrylics, pastels, pencil work, pen & ink, etchings and lino prints.
Through
the use of layering, glazing and tinting, his oils are imbued with
a richness and depth that absorb the viewer. Whether working on a large
scale composition, such as that showing the construction of the recently
completed Lowry complex in Manchester, touched by the glow of the setting
sun; or the intimate nature of a miniature figurative piece, where
child and grandmother sit playing in a shaft of sunlight.
Working thematically, selecting subjects that bring out his signature feature - the quality of light - Taggart has, over the years, produced a number of themed collections. Commissioned work numbers amongst it an oil portrait of Pavarotti, presented to the Maestro at a private luncheon to commemorate his visit to Manchester in October 1995. A leaded glass illuminated picture window to commemorate the animal service held at a church .
Portraits and genre studies of theatre and television actors. Private portraits and evocative landscapes. Corporate commissions.
One
of Paul Taggart's latest projects is the creation of a new genre
of mythical fairyfolk launched in a Limited Edition Artist's Book
as The Elphen Chronicles. Since he breathed life into the Elphen,
they have flown into many lives and homes.
A few years ago, Paul took up brush and palette to work on a series of watercolours that soon took him over. As he painted, Paul found a book writing itself in his head, so that once the light had gone from the day he would swap brush and palette for pen and paper. For the months Paul Taggart was engaged in painting these new creatures, he became so engrossed that all other paintings were forsaken and other work put aside in order to free his mind to concentrate on completing the creation of these creatures. Finally seventeen chapters and eighteen full plate Watercolour illustrations had been completed and the Elphen Chronicles was ready for publishing.
Welcome to the world of the Elphen, a new 'genre' of mythical folk dreamt up by Paul Taggart. A world inhabited by Lacewing who leads the Elphen Swarm in their search for the precious Elphen Eggs.
"Next time you look up into the royal blue of an evening sky and spy a falling star, think of the Elphen. Somewhere, not so far away, they are gathering their numbers to follow that star until it reaches the earth. There hidden in the undergrowth they will find their treasure, an Elphen Egg, which has traversed the starfields themselves to reach its destination. If only you believe you may see them on their journey home, carrying their egg between them. Tiny specks against the night sky, only visible when they cross a bright star, or the face of a full moon."
Publications
Having
developed a step-by-step method of teaching, through fully narrated
demonstrations, these were translated into the published word in the
form of unique 'Artstrips' the basis of Paul's books and the many magazine
articles that he has written.
Apart from magazines aimed particularly at painters, his enthusiasm for the subject and encouragement of others to take up painting as a pursuit, Paul works with magazines, which have a close relationship with their readers. Readers Days Out, competitions and tutorially led editorials are amongst the various projects organised to this end.
| The two highly popular double video packs in the Art Workshop With Paul Taggart range cover Watercolour Painting, one featuring the Wet on Wet technique, the other, Line & Wash |  |
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