Rick Holmes

I was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1945 and drew and painted from an early age.
A very wet holiday in Cornwall 35 years ago rekindled my love of drawing and
I have been painting seriously for nearly 30 years. Originally my preferred medium was watercolour and due to its very unpredictable nature a difficult medium to work with, but I love the immediacy and effects only achieved with watercolour. However over the last 7-8 years the majority of my work has been oils, mixed media and more recently pastels.

Most of my work is either painted “plein air” on site or developed from sketches. I do believe however, that sound drawing skills provide the basis of all painting, whichever the chosen medium. My work is a loose realistic style with very varied subjects ranging from marine/river scenes, to landscapes as well as portraits, life and the odd floral study.

I am a member of The Wapping Group of Artists and was elected in 2007.
I have been exhibiting for many years with Chelsea Art Society and in 2010 won the prize for best watercolour at their Annual Exhibition .I was subsequently invited to become a member of the Society.

I am also an exhibiting member of both Guildford and Farnham Art Societies. Over the last few years I have had paintings accepted for the RSMA, RI ,ROI and the Pastel Society exhibitions at The Mall.

I take painting classes in Elstead , as well as holding painting days during the summer, together with workshops and demonstrations.