Please can you give me an introduction about yourself

Hi, I’m Oliver. I’m an oil painter based in Buckinghamshire, I primarily paint portraits, figure studies and modern still life. I’m fascinated by people and the human form and have dedicated a large part of my working practise to painting portrait commissions as well as working with interesting members of society, actors and musicians.

What inspired you to paint?

Quite simply it’s something I have always done, from an early age, painting and drawing felt like something that I just had to express, I was always happiest when painting and as a result this bubbled over into adulthood. Like most artists, I was continually told that I should get a ‘proper’ job and not to focus on painting but there was a strong element of bloody-mindedness that ensured I was able to get things off the ground and make a career of it.

Describe your creative process; from start to finish of a painting. Where do you find your inspiration?

My inspiration always lies with people and wanting to tell a story whether it be through painting someone’s portrait or depicting a treasured item that belongs to them.

The majority of my work comes from being commissioned to paint a portrait, that typically involves a series of initial emails back and forth and ideally a phone call – it’s always so much more fluid to discuss aspects of a commission over the phone or in person. It’s a highly emotive process and it’s so important to build a connection with the sitter as early as possible.

During the initial meeting I need to gather as much information as possible, this is done through a mixture of taking photographs, creating sketches and of course, conversation. I love to hear people talking about themselves, their family or their life. It’s always fascinating to see peoples faces and expressions change when recalling or reminiscing key details from their life.

Once I have everything I need, I go back into the studio, I start to sift through it all to see what grabs me initially; sometimes it may be a particular image or memory, other times there is a need for a strong narrative but essentially it is about distilling the essence of a living, breathing three-dimensional person into a two-dimensional static painting.

I start to sketch further a sift through the photographs to pull together a few options for composition that I can show the client and then once a decision is made, that’s when I can begin to draw in the final painting. The painting itself is usually completed over 4-6 weeks, always in oils and at this stage it is shown to the client to gauge if there is any need for small tweaks before it is allowed to dry ahead of being varnished, framed and ultimately delivered to the client for the big reveal.

What is your favourite piece of work and why?

I try not to have favourites, I’m proud of everything that leaves my studio, I’m pretty meticulous in ensuring that a painting is as strong as I can make it and as such I try not to put any particular work on a pedestal.

I feel it’s important as an Artist to not aim to paint a masterpiece or ‘hero’ work but just always paint to the best of your ability, never resist an influence and to keep learning.

What was it like being on Portrait Artist of The Year and painting in front of a live audience? What did you gain from the experience?

Portrait Artist of the Year was a surreal experience; a mix of the familiar (essentially, I was still painting) but also the completely unfamiliar – new workspace, a studio audience, constrains of a timeframe, changing lighting conditions, the pressure of a competition. It all goes together to create a feeling of nervous tension; I was pleased to take part in the show and would love to do so again but it’s definitely a very unique experience that I’ve never come close to since.

Who is your favourite artist and why? Do they have an influence on your work?

My favourite artist changes frequently, I’m always a huge fan of Lucien Freud, Jenny Saville and John Singer Sargent but equally I am often just as fascinated by new Artists. I try not to get too bogged down with studying the work of other artists; I think it’s all too easy for elements of their work to subconsciously creep into your own work. Instead, I seek inspiration from music, it charges me up and gives me an energy that I don’t always get from artworks.

Are you currently working on any new exciting projects?

Over the past three years there has been so much flux what with the pandemic as well as moving house and studio that it’s actually a joy to just be able to focus on painting in the studio and working on one painting at a time as opposed to creating a body of work. I do have the nucleus of an idea for a solo exhibition involving using some photographs purchased from a Barcelona flea market as the visual inspiration – it’s been rattling around in my head for the past 4 years and so I feel this may be the next major project for 2024.

Why do you think art is important in society?

Art allows us to escape and be somewhere else for a while, like a great movie, piece of music or incredible meal it has the power to awaken our senses, delight us on all levels and leave us with powerful, lingering memories. Without art the world would be a much duller place.

https://www.oliver-winconek.co.uk

ARTIST INTERVIEW: Oliver Winconek