ABOUT ALASTAIR
Alastair Adams’ evolution as a figurative painter began post University with the first portrait he ever painted, selected for the National Portrait Gallery’s BP Portrait Award exhibition. What followed has evolved into a 30-year career of commissioned portraiture where his observational skills have made him a sought-after portrait artist with an international reputation and client base.
“One of the best institutional portraits I have ever seen, if not the best. It captures so many things, but especially the warmth and resolution Marvin brought to the role” – A quote from Jan Cunnngham, Fellow, Berkeley College, Yale University, USA about Alastair’s portrait of Marvin Chun.
Alastair has taught at some of the UK’s leading art schools, spanning from drawing diplomas up to PhD level. In addition to holding an external examiner role for the Art Academy and Heatherley’s School of Fine Art, he regularly gives guest lectures for several Medical Societies and Colleges including Royal Society of Psychiatrists and Berkeley College, Yale.
After only 6 years of RP membership, he stepped up to take on the role of President, whilst also volunteering as the charities Treasurer not once, but twice. He has stood as a Trustee of the Federation of British Artists and most recently, was awarded the accolade of Associate Fellow of Berkeley College, Yale University, USA.
Blending both his artistic and academic background allows Alastair to paint with a perceptive insight. Impactful observational skills harmonise extraordinary compositions, capturing what is often an uncanny likeness of the sitter balanced with a soulful study. His portraits are often complimented as emitting both light and warmth, allowing the observer a profound glimpse into the sitters’ spirit.
Alastair’s extensive portfolio of portraits includes writers, actors, the sporting world, politicians, leading academics and medical professionals. His working process aims to put the sitter at complete ease by travelling to their location, be it Glasgow or Greece, where artist and subject work together to profoundly immortalise a moment in paint. With refined representation, every great portrait begins with an even better story, a narrative woven into each brushstroke, capturing the essence of the person.
COMMISSIONS
P.O.A.
(VAT registered)
METHOD OF WORKING
Alastair likes to work from life when possible whilst also making use of photography to reduce sitting times.
He will usually travel to the sitter’s location and has worked both nationally and internationally.
Alastair can also offer a framing service with a range of personally designed, bespoke solid wood frame mouldings.
NOTABLE SITTERS
Tony Blair, The National Portrait Gallery, London
Baroness Scotland, Commonwealth of Nations, London
Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth of Nations, London
Richard E Grant, actor
Bruce Robinson, writer and director
Nick Frost, actor, screenwriter and producer
Alastair Cook, Captain, England Cricket team, Lords Cricket ground
Rory Burns, Captain, Surrey County Cricket Club, The Kia Oval
Dame Sally Davies, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge
Dame Fiona Reynolds, Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Baroness Sally Morgan, Master of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
St John’s College, Cambridge
Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Trinity Hall, Cambridge
Rhodes House, Oxford University
Hugh’s College, Oxford
Sir Steve Smith, Vice Chancellor, University of Exeter
Sir David Greenaway, Vice Chancellor, University of Nottingham
Sir Andrew Witty, Chancellor of University of Nottingham
Dame Janet Beer, Vice Chancellor, University of Liverpool
Sir Liam Donaldson, Chancellor, Newcastle University
Liverpool Hope University
Nottingham Trent University
Newcastle University
Royal Holloway, University of London
London School of Economics
Institute of Advanced Legal Studies – various sitters
Metropolitan Police, London
Royal College of Anaesthetists
Royal College of General Practitioners
Royal College of Music
Ranee Thakar, President, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Royal College of Psychiatrists – various sitters
Royal Geographical Society
Dame Clare Marx, President, Royal College of Surgeons
Peter Green, Headteacher, Rugby School
Emma Pattinson, Headteacher, Epsom College (posthumous)
Brighton College
Oundle School
Uppingham School
Winchester College
INTERNATIONAL:
Yale Investments Office, Yale University, USA
Berkeley College, Yale University, USA – various sitters
Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, USA – various sitters
Davenport College, Yale University, USA
Hopkins School, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Princeton University Museum and Art Gallery, USA
Bridgepoint Capital, Madrid, Spain
Tetra Laval, Lausanne, Switzerland
Jim Lloyd-Butler, California, USA
George Varsos, Athens, Greece
EXHIBITIONS
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National Portrait Gallery, permanent collection, London
National Portrait Gallery, portrait award, London
Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mall Galleries, London
Yale Centre for British Art, permanent collection, Connecticut, USA
People’s Portrait Collection, Girton College, Cambridge University, Cambridge
Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries, London
Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London
Art London
Manchester Academy
Portraits and Life, solo exhibition, University of Liverpool
Body of Art, Manifest Creative Research Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Drawing Research Exhibition, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
AWARDS
The Changing Faces Prize, Royal Society of Portrait Painters.