Congratulations to Aelfred Hilman for being one of four artists who were awarded as Highly Commended for the de Laszlo Foundation Award this year with, ‘On Alnmouth Beach’.
The de Laszlo Foundation award, sponsored by the de Laszlo Foundation, aims to encourage young artists.
Award for an artist under thirty-five years of age judged to have submitted the best portrait.
Aelfred Hilman, ‘On Alnmouth Beach’
Q. Can you tell us more about your exhibiting painting? What was the inspiration for it?
My painting depicts a University friend of mine James during a day out on the Northumberland coast. This area of windswept hinterland behind the beach was too interesting not to try and capture and James’s weatherbeaten boots and golden hair merged seamlessly with the wild tatch of the shrubs behind. He also fulfilled any artist’s dream by bringing a red jumper with him. I think i may have subconsciously been thinking of Kit Williams painting ‘The Practical Man’ from his book Masquerade. I have certainly always wanted to depict someone enthroned on a bed of pebbles since first encountering that picture and the coast near Alnmouth offered the perfect opportunity.
Q. What is the process you use for the portrait, is there a consistent pattern with each work?
I produced a few sketches on the day and took several photographs. Then after completing a head study of James I worked out the composition for this piece. Almost all my pictures place figures in complex natural settings, with organic structures getting equal attention to the sitters themselves. In this case the dead tree branch takes centre stage, drawing the eye towards the horizon and waving its angular fingers at the still blue of the sky. In the web of detail that fills the image this area is intended to be a reserve of calm and relief.
Q. How long did your portrait take to make?
I finished the picture within three months on and off.
Q. How did you hear about the RP and what has your experience been like working with us and Mall Galleries to date?
I have long been an admirer of many of the RP’s members, so finding the society and its annual exhibition happened very organically. It is a delight to have the opportunity to exhibit alongside them and seeing their works together offers an invaluable lesson in picture making and its astonishing diversity.
Q. Is there anything which you are working on at the moment or/ and you have coming up?
I am currently painting whilst working on a PhD in Restoration drama, so I find myself with quite a few different types of projects happening in tandem. Fortunately I do have several new pictures on the go, all featuring people and plants of various kinds. Hopefully they will make an appearance at Mall Galleries in the near future.
