Today we have Australian artist Leon Holmes answering a few questions about his work and life. Holmes does a fantastic job capturing the dynamic Australian landscape. It reminds me of Ken Knight and Sir Arthur Streeton. I particularly like his depictions of cattle and turquoise seas.
- Q: When Did You Start Painting?
- Q: Can You Remember Your First Painting? Do You Still Have It?
- Q: What Do You Find to Be the Most Challenging Aspects of the Artist Life?
- Q: Any Tips for Balancing Art, Family, Business, and Life in General?
- Q: What Do You Do When Inspiration or Motivation Are Lacking?
- Q: Which Artists Inspire You?
- Q: Favourite Art Book?
- Q: Recommendations for Aspiring Artists?
- Q: Where Can We Find Your Work (Socials, Website, Galleries, Etc.)?
- More of Leon’s Work
- Want to Learn More?
- Thanks for Reading!
Q: When Did You Start Painting?
Drawing and creating have been a passion since the first time I could hold a crayon but I officially started oil painting in 1993.
Q: Can You Remember Your First Painting? Do You Still Have It?
My first official oil painting was a copy of a Monet but I still have the first original composition I did and it’s framed and often hangs in my shows.
Q: What Do You Find to Be the Most Challenging Aspects of the Artist Life?
Making a living. Painting is a pleasure but in reality, it’s only a small percentage of the time spent running an artist business.
Q: Any Tips for Balancing Art, Family, Business, and Life in General?
Treat it like any sole trader business, have a good plan, set deadlines, give time to running the business, bookkeeping, invoicing, and marketing, and make sure you set time to paint. Have set hours and set time for family.
Q: What Do You Do When Inspiration or Motivation Are Lacking?
Pack my gear and go outdoors to paint. If I can honk up inspiration it soon is presented on location and often inspires larger studio works.
Q: Which Artists Inspire You?
Many of my contemporaries that I’ve painted alongside. But Sir Arthur Streeton has been a high contender forever.
Q: Favourite Art Book?
My sketchbook.
Q: Recommendations for Aspiring Artists?
Paint small and lots of them, paint from life, not from photos. Keep the best 20% of your work and paint over all the rest.
Q: Where Can We Find Your Work (Socials, Website, Galleries, Etc.)?
There is a list of my gallery representation on the website under where to buy. I also exhibit regularly at plein air invitation events in the USA and Europe.
More of Leon’s Work
Want to Learn More?
You might be interested in my Painting Academy course. I’ll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. It’s perfect for absolute beginner to intermediate painters.
Thanks for Reading!
I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I hope you found it helpful. Feel free to share it with friends.
Happy painting!
Dan Scott
Draw Paint Academy
Wow, I really like his work. Great advice too. Thanks, Dan, for bringing this to our attention.
Thank you for introducing us to his work. He inspires me to revisit the element of contrast in my compositions. Contrasting shadows and size of objects in particular.
Gorgeous use of colour.
Cryselda
Wow!
Thank you, Dan
Inspiring works and an informative interview!
Thank you for introducing another wonderful Australian artist. We as artists need to be aware of the great art produced on the other side of our planet!
Thanks for showing this aussy artist. I love his palette …amazing colours.
Art work so beautiful look at it all the time you can almost feel real!!!
Thank you for introducing me to Leon Holmes His work is so soothing and beautiful 💝
Loved all of his art! Thank so much for all these great emails that you so willingly share.
Very inspiring, food for thought. Thank you for highlighting Leon Holmes
Inspiration is wonderful!
His work leads one to a surge of love for this country
Hi Karen. I share your feeling. Our country is so full of exciting landscapes and seascapes to paint.Kind regards Lynne Streete
Thank you, another fascinating article, and such vigorous art.
Great interview with a wonderful artists.
Not all of us have the luxury of painting outdoors, so photos are the next best thing.
Thank you Dan for this insightful interview and discovery of this wonderful artist. I love Leon Holmes’ paintings, they are so alive and energized, it’s a real joy to look at.
Really injoyed leon homes.inspiering
.
Learn so much about not only painting from you but about artists I did not know. Thank you and I look forward to taking painting lessons from you when I retire
Thank you Dan for this nice walk with you and Leon as you chat in this virtual gallery.
Olá Dan.
Mais uma vez, muito obrigado. Se puder, veja os trabalhos do pintor americano ” Robert Vonnoh”.
Wow great work….something to aspire to….
Thank you for thoughts.
Wait for your super emails so informative.
Have great day,Dan
Many thanks, Dan, for introducing us to this great artist. Appreciate so much the interview and what I’ve learned from it. Take care. Jean
Ohh my God ¡¡¡ these are shared on my Pinterest¡ Please check it out. Què bueno¡
Love these views of other artists. Really enjoyed Leon’s work and his comment about “making a living.”
Thank you Dan
Beautiful contrasting colours. As Tony Bennett says, “light and dark, light and dark”. Striking!
Thanks Dan for allowing us to make comments. I especially like your style of gradations, but how is the paint uplifted or thickened? I have never heard of Leon Holmes but his work is very attractive. Your female portrait is excellent and would indeed like to try. Sorry, but at this time it’s impossible to take your your course. Thanks for all the emails with ideas.
Thank you Dan for introducing Leon Holmes to us. Wonderful paintings and hope one day I can see his work here in UK.
Dan, thank you for the introduction to Leon Holmes. I enjoy his use of color and his composition and themes. Mr. Holmes- thank you for the advice, and the blessing, to keep the best 20% and paint over the rest!
I love Choc Caramel Cream very interesting. Mostly because the cows are out of focus and shimmering as the subject. Most of Leon’s work looks more realistic but that one does something else. Was it planned and why?
Thank you Dan for Leon Holmes. I love his work. The contrasts are amazing.
Thank you Dan for giving us a Gallery Tour of Leon Holmes inspiring paintings sharing his technique
of composition with light and darks. I liked his interview advising how to live a painters life.
Love his work and style. Thank once again for sharing.
Loved the pictures, the beautiful colors and the witty titles.
WOW what a great article about an incredile artist. Thank you so much Dan.
Beautiful work and great advice — especially, about plein air painting.
I admire the choice of the dared colours, especially where I don’texpect them. Good lessons for me! Many thanks Dan !!
Wonderful work and great advice, thank-you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlyH2y1xNA
Plein air painting in oils with Leon Holmes | Colour In Your Life
Such beautiful work, thank you so much for sharing. Appreciated.
Thank you! I get as excited as if I have been through a very
beautiful gallery show.
So happy you share,
Love the ocean, beach/sands too. I also am drawn to the beautiful turquoise coloring he uses in the waters. Just lovely work from Leon Holmes. Thank-you for sharing him with us.
Loved your last news letter about Leon Holmes.
Love his work, thank you for introducing him and explaining the ins and outs
of his creations
Best wishes