Menagerie-a solo show by artist Paul James, opened at the Sol Gallery on Thursday last, June 15th. The show was officially opened by Marty Whelan.
“Paul James is a leading contemporary animal and landscape realist painter. His work is sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide. He is renowned for the skill and craftsmanship with which he depicts the fine detail and realism of the many textures portrayed within his imagery.”
Paul’s painting take a very long time to execute from start to completion. The works are very rich and detailed. They are paintings best appreciated by viewing in person.

“Tagging Along”
“This is typical of what Paul would witness whilst travelling on his narrow boat through the inner city inland waterways of Britain.  In fact it was just such a scene as this that inspired the first of what has become Paul’s urban series.  He’s almost gone full circle with this particular painting  of Canada Geese strutting along the towpath ‘Tagging Along’ together.”
At the opening night Paul took us on a step by step journey through the artistic processes employed during the creation of “Tagging Along”.

He began this painting with a charcoal sketch of the four Canadian Geese

Paul explains he used a grid system. You can see the square grid here on his slide. He decided four geese were too many and the painting only required a composition of two and the urban graffiti background.

In this step he show where he has added more detail to the goose in the foreground. You can see the measuring lines beside the second goose here. He is trying to decide proportionally what size the second goose should be if it is behind the first.

You can see traces of the other geese here. He faithfully maps in a brick wall. He explains that it is important to get the geometric perspective correct here.
When he begins painting, after the composition is worked out, he works from background to foreground. He paints the graffiti wall first, next the back ground goose and then the foreground goose. The graffiti in the painting is actual graffiti that exists as opposed to invented material.

This slide shows him at work in his studio.

In the extreme foreground he went back in with his charcoal to sketch in some Canadian drinks and paints these in.
See this and many more of Paul James’ work at the Sol gallery. Originals and prints are available for purchase. Menagerie runs until 29th June 2017.