SHAUN HIGGINS
I was born on 18 October 1963. My parents moved to Worksop when I was just three months old. I was to stay there for the next forty-four years. I attended the local schools for my education.
My artistic talents made their appearance during Sunday school, somewhat witnessed by my parents, but the teachers recognised my skills at junior school where I was already producing 3D style artwork.
This I carried through secondary school. Culminating in winning the shield trophy for best in the art for that year. ( as shown in the photo below ) I finished school education on 23 May 1980.
My formal art education started a bit later for me I didn't
want to sta-on at school, then move on to art college.
So like a lot of others leaving school I got myself some
work experience. fortunately, my Father managed to get me in work working alongside him, at the CWS
Glassworks, Sandy Lane. I was set on as a labourer cleaning machine parts, which lasted two months.
Then I was set again, this time on painting colour-coded zones around the factory floor, inside, and outside
and underground.
After that, I mixed twelve-month work experience programmes and art courses between 1987 and 1991.
I went back into work in the mid-'90s and stayed there for eleven years. This is when I met my husband to be. We had a civil partnership in 2006. I decided to attend Lincoln art College. It gave me new insights into the modern and conceptual art world. I finished the Art and Design course with a Distinction for my work and a level 3 B-TEC Diploma.
I am now focusing full time on my art studies with my husband. (we changed the civil partnership to official marriage status. And so the next chapter begins.
Ruddocks Annual Art Competition 2013
Childhood Dreams Mixed Media 1st prize
Ruddocks Annual Art Competition 2014
Reflections of the future Oils 1st prize
Solo Art Exhibition 22-26 October 2018
at the Lincoln Central Library.
My work
I have recently focused my work around three subject criteria. Portraiture, The figure and Still life.
Within these, I will use whichever medium best describes that subject. But my primary focus is establishing a good composition and strong tonal values. And also a light-hearted aspect to the narrative.
A selection of sourced images is combined to create my composition. My selections can be further manipulated to create more interest and engage the viewer's attention.
I take inspiration from artists whose work reflects my own ideas and or project criteria at the time.
My method for Copying to Canvas
Translating accurately a composed drawing. I would bring it to the correct scale first. I then make a copy on tracing paper and that is then taken to the main support where it is then taped in place so as to lift it as I redraw the image. Think of it as like the early "Hand-Drawn Animation", but with only a single image.
A mechanical pencil is good to use as it is consistent. The drawing will look a little rough, but this is the best part for me when the drawing gets refined, smoothed out. Changes can be made at this point.
I paint mostly in the direct method;
This involves painting direct from the tube or mixing paint on the palette or on the canvas.
The classical approach;
Which starts off with an Imprimatur (a tonal ground) then a Sinopia (the preparatory drawing), the Lay-in (grisaille) and the Glazing (transparent layers of paint applied over another). Finally directly applied paint to adjust and correct values.
If you have a request for a painting (strange) or otherwise and no one will take it on, I will be happy to help.
I also have a picture price list available on my contacts page. Thank You for looking.