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Ken Howard

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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Two superb artists a sad loss to the art work. I’m pleased we featured their work earlier this year with a lovely introduction to Fred Cuming from Dawn that stated us off.  Alan introduced Ken Howard, I recall a lot of discussion about the light in the studio painting’s.

Alan Bickley

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I rather like this simple quote from Fred Cuming: What is an artist for? Surely not just to record what he sees, but to interpret what he sees.

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by Alan Bickley

With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Fred Cumings' point was the key one - the stage at which one turns from an amateur artist to a professional: when we stop just painting what we see, but interpret it in our own way: I know that I struggle with that, and I don't think one can force the pace.  That, however, is the target I aim for. Might get there one day!  And it's the work of Fred Cuming - whom I once mistook on this very forum for George Rowlatt, in a senile slip - which will help me to break through the invisible but real barrier.  To quote Fagin on the Artful Dodger and his colleagues, applying the words to Howard and Cuming, "make 'em your models!".  
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Painters-Online Team

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In memory of Ken, I have just added his 2016 article about his love of London and Venice and their influence on his development as an artist to the site https://www.painters-online.co.uk/tips-techniques/oil/articles/ken-howard-in-london-and-venice/ I hope you enjoy reading it. RIP Ken Howard, OBE, RA December 26, 1932 - September 11, 2022
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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I read it when it first appeared, and will do so again; tried testing myself against him; told myself not to be silly.  He's such a loss - I believe he had physical problems late in life which stopped him from painting, and don't know if he was able to overcome them.  Annoyed with the Guardian for having nothing about him, I sent them an email - they tell me there will be an obituary - I appreciate there's a backlog, but I'd have thought they might have moved a bit faster.  But there we are.  Priorities..... 

Alan Bickley

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Duplicated 

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Alan Bickley

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Thanks for sharing this Dawn. Ken certainly had a very interesting life - he’s left us with many wonderful paintings to appreciate - plus his many books and videos, most of which I have and find them a constant source of inspiration. He will be sadly missed…
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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The Guardian's obit: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/sep/21/ken-howard-obituary I didn't know, but was not surprised to read, that Ken Howard attracted the disdain of the art critic Brian Sewell, who described his work - possibly an example of it rather than all of it, I don't know, as "saccharine".  But then, I always thought that Sewell spent much of the day sucking on fork tines dipped in vinegar, which would explain his affected diction.   It is a sin these days to call yourself, as Howard did, an "Impressionist" - at least in the higher reaches of art criticism, and for all I know contemporary art teaching: I hope not, in the latter case.  Abstract Expressionism was becoming The Thing when KH first went to art college; I expect there's another  Thing now, to which all art students should aspire.   It don't 'alf make you sick.....
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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PS - just noticed, reading the article again, that Corot was one of his favourite artists: most encouraging, as he's long been my ultimate favourite.   I suppose I should frown on his use of boards part primed with Dulux oil paint...  but will stop short at advising that no one else should follow him in that particular practice.  Because as he said - it's the result that matters. 
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Painters-Online Team

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I have just added a 2021 interview with Fred to the site here https://www.painters-online.co.uk/tips-techniques/oil/articles/fred-cuming-guided-by-light-and-atmosphere/ I have an even older one to share soon too.

Alan Bickley

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Excellent, thanks Dawn, I’ll have a browse later!
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