Interview with Artist Will Kemp

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[Will Kemp self portrait, Oil on canvas]

Will Kemp, an award-winning incredible painter from UK, born on 1977 near Kent coast, near Canterbury, was inspired by the amazing sand sculptures that his father used to create on the beach. It strongly motivated him how a piece of art can be created from very simple things. At the age of 9, he won a contest on Tony Harts TV show for a splendid drawing that he made. That was his beginning – and since then he did not stop his amazing journey on the world of art. He applied for Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust and became Queens’ Craft Scholar on February of 2010. On his journey old masterpieces amazed him, mesmerized him and all this led him to find his own signature style.
        But he did not limit himself to just an artist. He chose to become a teacher to spread his knowledge to anybody who intends to to become an artist. And he succeed as a great teacher. And at this moment, whoever searched for quality acrylic tutorials, Will Kemp is a known name for them.
        In his own words  – "I believe everybody has the ability to create great paintings and drawings, the true trick though is knowing how to see with an artists eye….. and this I can teach you."

It was an absolute honour to interview this great artist and teacher. Let me share the conversation.

Q1. When did you first start drawing and painting? What motivated you?

Will: I first started drawing when I was very young, and just took to it.
[To know more about Will's beginning of journey read here willkempartschool.com/about ]


[© Will Kemp. All Rights Reserved.]

Q2. Where you studied art?
Tell us about some special memories of your learning period (if any).

Will: I’ve studied both conceptual fine art courses and classical painting techniques. I was awarded a Queen Elizabeth
Scholarship to study classical painting in Florence, and to study amongst a city that holds many of the Old Master paintings I admire was a great privilege.


[Will Kemp Receiving Qest Scholarship from the Duchess of Northumberland, June 2010
Photo credit: John Stone]

Q3. Were your family supportive with your art?

Will: My dad did want me to become an Electrician! but my family have been very supportive in my painting career.

Q4. Do you have a favourite subject? What is special about it?

Will: I really love portraits, there is something so challenging yet rewarding about them. And every new face helps to deepen
your knowledge and tune your observation.

 

Q5. Would you like to be called an impressionist artist?

Will: I wouldn’t specifically say an impressionistic artist, however, I always love the painterly strokes of Velasquez and
Sargent. I like a painting to feel like a painting.

Q6. What/who gives you inspirations to paint?

Will: Inspiration can come from anywhere really, but more often than not it comes when actually painting. Even if the subject
matter is unrelated, or a section of a painting goes ‘wrong’ these can often be the moments that send your painting interests on a new unexpected path.


[Onions, Acrylic on Canvas, Will Kemp, 2012]

Q7. How you like to work? (Environment, Lights, Indoor/Outdoor ... etc)

Will: I paint most of my works in the studio, natural light is always preferable but on grey days in England a well balanced artificial light can be hugely beneficial.

Q8. Do you get Artist's block? What makes you get over it ?

Will: Not really, as I’m painting every day it becomes a habit, a daily practice.


[Will Kemp, Scottish landscape, 2011]

Q9. Acrylic seems to be your favourite medium. Why acrylic?

Will: I work between acrylics and oil but I do find the ability to build up multiple layers of glazing quickly using acrylics can be so helpful in certain styles of paintings. Its also a great medium for students to learn the principles of classical painting.

Q10. Do you have any ''artist's dream'' of painting something or, experimenting something new with art that you have not yet?

Will: Well I’m always aiming to create a painting that matches the quality of brushstroke, colour-mixing, expression within one stroke. So it is more of developing my paintings with a craftsman mindset rather than a specific piece I’d like to create.


[Will Kemp, If I could do it all over again, Oil on Canvas, 2002]

Q11. As a Traditional Painter, how is your view on the digital paintings?
As it is relatively easier than the traditional paintings, the new generation is embracing it pretty much...

Will: I think digital painting is a fantastic tool, many of my students use Art Rage for creating versions of my tutorials in digital form to understand how the painting is created classically. Digital painting can be a great visualization tool.



[Will Kemp, Wait till the cows come home, Oil on Canvas, 2003]

 
Q12. Do you want to give the readers any tips?
Will: Aim for simplicity - not simplistic.
If you have 10 colours try using just 2.
If you have 5 brushes, try using just one.The more you can do with less the quicker you will develop the fundamental skills as a painter, using the limitations to build your creativity, rather than thinking the solution lies in a new colour from the art store.
 
[Detail taken from Reflection, Oranges – Still life Masterclass, Will Kemp, Acrylic on board]


Many Thanks to Will for sharing his experiences. It was an honour.
I hope his experiences and teachings will inspire more young artists 


 
[Will Kemp, Soft Waterways Venice I, Oil on Board, 24 x 24 inch, 2012]

Visit Will Kemp on his website willkempartschool.com
He has a lots of courses and tutorials there for people who wants to better or who are just beginning.

Have a nice weekend.
   



[Photographs of Paintings copyright © Will Kemp]
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