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Rowland Hilder landscapes

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Dermot Brennan

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I've always admired the work of Rowland Hilder and love his depiction of the English landscape I believe he based a lot of of his work on the beautiful landscapes of Kent , I would dearly like to paint there some day ... in the meantime would any of my artist friends across the water have any decent photographic images depicting a typical Hilder subject as in big trees country lanes and those great big farmhouses , would love to have a bash at one of this type of landscape so typical of Kent ...
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Marjorie Firth

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It'll cost you.....no, up here in Northumberland is not what you have in mind Dermot.
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Linda Wilson

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Are these the sort of trees you are looking for? Shot today in Devon
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Linda Wilson

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I forgot to say that these trees are at Greenway, Agatha Christie's home on the Dart river. I went on a Photography workshop there yesterday, to keep my husband (with a big Nikon) company. There was an unexpected competition between the 16 participants, who offered up there 3 best shots. To my amazement, I got the 2nd prize. I was even mare amazed because the competition organiser showed my winning shot landscape instead of portrait. (Hubby could enter because his pix were all in RAW and not JPG.) I'm quite happy for anyone to use my photos to paint from. I would like a mention, but no money is required. I don't think that will be painting the near future as I have so many unfinished projects on the go including a beech study which I started in the spring. It was started en plain air, but to finish it I think it will have to be an autumn scene. Meanwhile perhaps you would like to see the winning photo and api from it if you so wish. Perhaps Syd could give some tips on colour mixes for it.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Beautiful photographs, Splosh! There were at least two large format books on Rowland Hilder, for at least one of which he wrote the text himself: I sold them, unfortunately - I'd like to reacquire them. I know what Syd means about RH's use of black - he used black ink, Lamp Black, Payne's Grey, and Neutral Tint quite extensively. I tried to emulate him at one time, but could never achieve the transparency he achieved with his blacks. I suppose you either like his style or you don't - he approached perfection as a draughtsman; I've never seen better - perhaps Charles Tunnicliffe was his equal, and probably more to Syd's taste, since Tunnicliffe was also a great colourist. I always had a deep admiration for Hilder's work; much of it was illustration, for books, magazines, guides of various kinds (I think he illustrated some of the Shell Guides) - he was also a real gent; American by birth, of course, lovely man and a great artist in my opinion. I suspect the use of black was important to him because it enabled easier reproduction - easier for print, especially when he was starting out; they can print almost anything these days, but clean, crisp lines and strong darks were helpful. Incidentally, one of the books showed close-ups of his work - there was colour in his blacks, the paintings weren't at all heavy or dull. If you can find it on Google, a picture of his I always loved, even more so when I visited the place, was of Petworth House, in Sussex. It was brilliant - I know I couldn't have done it, and I don't think many others could either. http://www.isleofwightlandscapes.net http://www.wightpaint.blogspot.co.uk

Alan Bickley

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Hilder was of course an illustrator as well as a painter, producing some superb work including a great selection of war posters which I am lucky to have one from the original print run. I met Hilder on a 3-day masterclass in August 1985 down at Blackheath art college near where he lived, and yes, as Robert has pointed out, he was a great draughtsman, and it shows. He did start of many of his paintings using black India ink, doesn't work for everyone but in his hands it did, helping to create his unique and instantly recognisable style. As for oast houses, well just go online and have a look at them, most of them have survived but completely ruined, all converted into dwellings of course and with the addition of windows in the roof, they look hideous, what a great pity.
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Linda Wilson

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I've been out with the camera again today (Powderham Castle deer park) and I saw some big trees that I thought were more like the ones that you were looking for. We don't have lost houses in Devon, but I thought they might give you some inspiration.
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Linda Wilson

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Here is another one for you Dermot. I particularly like the 3 little trees in the middle, which emphasise the size of the others.
michael

Michael Edwards

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Quite like the idea of the holes being there to let the birds fly through Syd. They also let the suns rays through as in (yes another one of mine): The rising sun abjures the night and through the latticed canopy its enfilading beams reach down upon the node where paths reach out, their filial ties in evidence