RANDS, Angus: ‘My Art’

RANDS, Angus autumnal-dales-scene.jpg The Hoyle Gallery

Autumnal Dales Scene. Watercolour. Image: The Hoyle Gallery

In a 1982 interview with the Yorkshire Post (10/02/1982) the artist, Angus Rands, by this time a successful painter of Yorkshire landscape scenes, spoke of his approach to his artwork.

He said how he preferred to complete a painting from start to finish, even in severe weather, as the variations in light made it essential for him to be in direct physical contact with both subject and weather.

What I regard as my best paintings have been the result of a certain quality of light and atmosphere and they have had an emotional content. Anything I have painted cold-bloodedly in a studio has never come off. It may have sold, but it hasn’t satisfied me.”

You get an instinct for good watercolour painting weather. If it’s too hot the colours dry quickly and go hard and you don’t get the required quality of transparency. If it’s too humid or cold and wet, it takes a long time to dry. While it’s drying it’s expanding and you are left with a weak, watery, insipid effect.

He spoke of his gradual movement away from watercolours toward the use of oils and pastel, particularly the latter.

I use French pastels which, while they are twice the price of British are twice as good. Pastels are equated with rather delicate and soulful pictures, but it’s a very strong medium – as Degas demonstrated.

RANDS, Angus Helmsley Bank, Thawing Snow

Helmsley Bank, Thawing Snow. Pastels. Image: T.B. & R. Jordan

 See main profile of this artist at Angus Rands

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