One of Adam's amazing drawings
Unfortunately I didnt get out on the bank this weekend. Work and family stuff kept me busy at home. However I did steal an hour or so on the Internet. Inevitably I ended up having a quick scroll through Facebook. I saw a post from Adam Entwhistle Art. Wow, could this guy draw fish and birds. Intrigued I had a look through his page and snuck onto his blog as well. It was all very interesting...
So I thought I would find out more about this artistic maestro. Turns out he is a very friendly chap and he kindly answered a load of questions for me.
Please have a read and visit his FB page if you are looking for a Christmas present for a Fish fancier :-)
Hi Adam. I hope you dont mind me asking you a load of questions!
Morning James, thank you for the email and your interest in my work:) I will answer your questions below!
Firstly, when did you first become interested in wildlife art?
I started late in life, no interest in art as a young boy, never went to art school.....and first picked up a pencil around 8 years ago after seeing a chaps work called Jonathan Pointer...a modern day master in my eyes. After seeing his work I had this over whelming feeling that I wanted to produce some kind of art, or say something about my love for the natural world in a picture form. I know that sounds a little soppy but that was my starting point.I'm self taught but have asked many questions along the way, trying to gain information from other artists I admire, and "MOST" are very helpful!
What do you feel is your best piece?
My best piece: I don't think I have done one just yet...I'm always looking to improve in someway, and once a piece is complete you want it to be hung and appreciated by another person....and the journey along the way is just as important as the finished piece. A drawings that seems to flow and almost draws itself in a natural way is the most enjoyable for myself.
I had better ask a few fishy questions as well.
Favourite fish...now that's a hard one because I love most of them from the tiny minnow & Gudgeon.......to a big fat carp, then I love Rudd, roach, Perch....haha I think all of them! But if I had to say one its the Grayling. Funny you have mentioned it because its a fish I first caught as a young lad while trotting on a small stream, and after that I have caught so many, from many different rivers and every time their beauty still excites me. I have come nowhere close to expressing my thoughts for this fish though my work just yet....plenty more work regarding this fish in the future.
Regarding sea fish, I haven't done very much sea fishing at all...Maybe the Bass but I love Mackerel and have always dreamed of catching a Tarpon.
Do you use photographs as reference?
Regarding reference, I think most wildlife artists use some kind of photographic reference, but its never a simple case of drawing from a single photo. I'm constantly using many forms of reference including memory, live subjects ( birds I keep etc) life studies when I can.....but also a lot of effort with the camera trying to capture the energy of my subject for future reference. In turn you start to build a mental image from all these sources that help you understand your subject. The one piece of advice I can give to another regarding art, is know your subject well...inside out if you want to portray it correctly. There is no point drawing hunting dogs if you don't have any knowledge or experience with them!! They talk about the Jizz (GIS) of an animal...what makes that animal what it is....I think this is a very important point to remember if you are serious about your subject matter.
Ar scales harder to draw than feathers?
Scales are harder to draw that feathers for myself....I draw from eye to hand, no use of tracing, copying, overhead projectors etc to get the overall scale and outline of the drawing.I know some artists use these methods, but I have to believe that there is no easy way or short cut.I want to learn the correct way because in the long-term, it will force me to become a better artist. I believe by going about it in a methodical fashion and genuinely wanting to teach my brain to work in relation with my hands it will then start to become second nature and easier as I progress.
Do you sell prints, or are they all originals?
I have only just started to sell prints in the last month, this is something I will build on over the next 12 months.
With the rise of the Internet do you ever suffer from Copyright theft?
Yes many issues of copyright theft...I used to get stressed about it, but with most pieces I do seem to mange to sell the original so it doesn't worry me to much. There is nothing like the real thing, or a professional print, so if one of my images is taken from the internet I honestly think it can only have a limited use. I remember another artist telling me......the work is always yours, even if its sold and you never see it again, its been made my your own hands so its your creation...just a nice way of looking at it!
I would love a picture of a Perch for Christmas. Do you do commission work?
Regards commissions, yes I do but only if its a subject I'm interested in and want to draw or paint. Its not my fulltime job and I don't want to lose the interest or enjoyment which commission work can do. As a rough guide an A4 sized piece, single subject is around £150...slightly less if its more of a sketch type piece. A3 and a more serious work taking many more hours is around £300....after that it all depends on the subject, size, time taken, professional framed and not just a £20 ikea frame! which have to be taken into account.
My signed limited edition prints start around £35 for an A4, all printed on archival heavy weight paper by a professional printer....with a backing board & double mount included in the price.
You obviously have an intermate knowledge of wildlife. Are there any animals you would like to draw but havent got round to?
Regarding Knowledge, I have always loved the countryside...lucky to have a father who was very passionate and willing to take us out most weekends despite being born in "Sunny Manchester" all my knowledge & passion is attributed to my father. I love all aspects for different reasons, but have a soft spot for birds. I keep and breed many different varieties from Chickens, to partridge, doves to song birds. In the future I will concentrate on some of these birds, including more unusual species like Stonecurlew, ruff, grouse,snipe being just a very small number on my list!
You have a really fascinating blog which is very well written. However it hasnt been updated in a while. Do you plan to post in the future?
Thanks for the positive words about the blog......Like I have mentioned my fulltime job is running a fishery in France with my young family. I have been doing this for 13 years, its a very busy life and hands on 7 days a week. I have a blog for the fishery, and my fishery FB page, so my artwork has really taken a back seat this year, thus my blog has suffered. In the future I will be slowly progressing almost fulltime with my artwork, so the blogs will be more frequent along with a dedicated website to my work....so plenty in the pipeline:)
Thank you so much for answering my questions. Much appreciated! I hope that helps James, I will have a read of your own blog and thanks once again for showing interest. Excuse any typos etc, getting 3 boys ready for school this morning is never easy:) wishing you all the very best in the future...keep up the good work.
Look up Adam Entwhistle Art on FB. You wont be disappointed!
