Helen Sample paints landscapes and interiors. I am interested in the way a scene can be transformed by light or weather conditions, such as moonlight or a passing storm. I often work with a limited palette. This helps me concentrate on the light, tonal effects and mood of the painting. When I started painting forty years ago I worked exclusively in watercolour, enjoying the chance effects that varying quantities of water and pigment create. More recently, I have chosen to use oils for some subjects, and have enjoyed the intensity of colour and variety of textures available with this medium. I work from life and my own sketches and photographs, and only paint places or scenes I have visited in person. My aim is not to paint a faithful copy of what lies in front of me, but to create a picture which expresses my excitement at what I am viewing. If you would like to see my paintings, please click on the links above." |