Patrick Palmer specializes in capturing the female form – subtle, classical nudes in oil, charcoal, graphite, and red chalk.
Born in Henley, Patrick Palmer spent most of his adult life in London, Hong Kong, and Dublin. He is now happily settled in Windsor. His classical nudes are shown through Box Galleries, Belgravia Gallery, and Artpistol. He also sells through The John Lewis Partnership.
From Publishing to Painting Classical Nudes
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Art was always happening around him
Patrick Palmer is a modern master of figurative art. His post-romantic nudes are not only exquisitely painted, but also dreamy, delicate and suggestive.
Patrick abandoned a successful career in publishing at the age of 40 to follow his lifelong passion – drawing and painting. His mother was a very talented, yet untrained, artist and an award-winning jeweller, so art was always happening around him.
Patrick trained at a leading art college in London and was then taught by Michael Clark, who knew Francis Bacon very well (and incidentally the only person to draw him in the flesh). Clark’s wonderful tonal paintings and drawings left indelible marks on Patrick and inspire him to this day.
“I had been going to life-drawing classes for many years,” Patrick says. “So continuing to use the figure as my subject was a natural progression.”
His work has been included in the books ‘Images of Women in Art’ and ‘Musings of Miss Yellow’.
As well as being a stay-at-home Dad, he now paints from his Windsor studio and runs his own life-drawing classes at the Windsor Art Centre.
Working on multiples
“I like to have a number of pictures on the go at the same time,” Patrick says. “At least five. Currently, I am finishing one commission of my client’s wife and am planning a very large commission (150 cms high!) for another client in the US. I also have a few smaller pieces I am gradually building up – oils and drawings.”
Patrick’s hope for his legacy
“I’d like my work to last the test of time and not look dated,” Patrick says. “I’d also like my two small kids to be proud of my work. Fame doesn’t matter.”
Tips for artists from Patrick
- I would have progressed far quicker (ironically) by caring less about the end result.
- Spend more time learning/practicing than marketing on social media. If your work is good, success will come.
- Don’t expect immediate success from being accepted by a gallery.
- Experiment all the time.
- It’s hard to make money but keep at it.
- Never try to make your own spring rolls.
To see Parick’s latest work, visit Saatchi Art >
What do you think?