I frequently get asked to suggest good artist models for Painting students. There are thousands of inspirational historical and contemporary artists that students can learn from, and it is impossible for me to list them all within one blog post, however this is a collection of some of my favourite artist models. This list includes artists that:
- Demonstrate outstanding drawing and/or painting skill;
- Have a substantial body of work (in a few cases some of the artists below do not have extensive bodies of work – but their creative and inspiring work has warranted inclusion on this list);
- Explore original and/or highly personal ideas;
- Publish process work, such as preliminary sketches, composition plans, semi-complete artwork etc (viewing such material is highly beneficial for students).
Good artist models offer something of value to a student: ideas for composition, approach to a subject, creative use of media or outstanding technique. It is not necessary that the artist be investigating the same subject (indeed, while this can sometimes make it easier, at times it can hinder originality and leave a student tending to copy rather than extending their own ideas).
Each artist is accompanied by an image of their work and a link to an official website, if it is known. Links are also given to appropriate books (unless noted otherwise, these are books that I have used personally with my students and vouch for).
ARTIST MODELS: PAINTERS
The paintings of Irish artist Francis Bacon have inspired students for decades. An investigation into the human condition, Bacon's paintings depict fleshy, meaty, distorted human and animal forms, often trapped inside cages.
The Estate of Francis Bacon has a fantastic website, with a wealth of biographical information and an extensive collection of images, categorised chronologically.
Contemporary American artist Bill Barminski challenges us with quietly ominous paintings that are derived from mass media imagery. These rich and textured works provoke reaction and encourage us to think again about the everyday items that we consume.
New Zealand artist Don Binney is famous for his series of paintings and drawings of birds and landscape. Stylised, graphic paintings, Don Binney seamlessly integrates the bird with the landscape, carefully echoing shapes and balancing forms.
Simon Birch artist: Hong Kong based painter Simon Birch has produced some stunning paintings of movement - dancing blurred forms.
Israeli painter Maya Bloch creates images of figures using stained, bleeding, inky paint. Reminiscent of printing errors, or tweaking of the contrast setting and reversing the lights and darks, Maya Bloch's paintings are arresting and powerful.
Jennifer Coates produces abstract acrylic paintings that are spun with an intricate web of forms. Reminiscent of molecular structures, the organic tangle of carefully painted lines contrasts with a thick, gestural background.
A beautiful portrait by Matthew Cusick artist: gaining popularity for his detailed collages, Matthew Cusick creates complex images from tiny pieces of map and washes of acrylic.
This charcoal drawing is one of Jim Dine's many beautiful drawings of tools. Jim Dine draws familiar, ordinary objects and gives them a life of their own. He treats the spaces in an around the objects with as much importance as the objects themselves and juxtaposes precise form with chaotic, yet controlled application of tone.
An interview with Jim Dine is available on the Washing DC National Gallery of Art, Washington DC website.
There are many books available about Jim Dine, although the ones I have used are unfortunately out of print. Jim Dine has recently published some books himself, however, including these two: Jim Dine: Old Me, Now (Self-Portrait Drawings 2008-2009) and Jim Dine: Poet Singing (The Flowering Sheets). I would love to hear from anyone who has purchased these, as they look intriguing!
New Zealand artist Jeffrey Harris explores human relationships and conflicting emotions within his artwork. He often depicts the fragility of families and the complex interactions between members. He creates compositions that are often fragmented with large blocks of colour and jagged lines.
This fantastic book about Jeffrey Harris has been of great value to my students. It is expensive, but has many large, high quality illustrations.
Disturbing yet amazing paintings by Korean artist Han Hyo-Seok, showing portraits with the skin made to look like raw meat.
Depicting aerial views of urban scenes, American artist David Kapp's often paints busy crowds of people, swirling down streets or people walking quickly through a structured, man-made environment. In thick, broad brush strokes, Kapp represents light and movement in an Impressionistic style.
Robert Mars:
Contemporary American artist Robert Mars produces richly collaged paintings based on Americana. In his own words: “Formerly the promise of hope and prosperity; these icons are now a sign of desperation and ruin”.
This Lisa Milroy still life painting is one of her more well know works, in which still life items (shoes, light bulbs etc) are neatly ordered, often in rows or grid formation. Lisa Milroy's still life paintings separate objects from their use - presenting collections of objects as a statement (perhaps) about mass-consumerism...or enjoying them for the aesthetic value and and pattern that is created.
Florian Nicolle is a French graphic designer who has produced a collection of beautiful mixed media illustrations: a combination of dripped paint, newspaper overlays, line drawings and washes of tone.
Huge graffiti inspired artworks, Jose Parla's paintings explore 'the dialogue of decaying walls' and the marks that people leave behind. Working upon a layered ground of mixed media, Jose Parla's paintings are energetic, chaotic and wild.
New Zealand artist Don Peebles is well known for his rich sculptural paintings that are constructed from carefully arranged squares of canvas.
American artist Amy Pleasant explores the concept of family within her latest artworks. Her paintings capture a moment in a family's history; a piece of frozen time salvaged from photograph albums.
A gory junk food scene. Swiss artist Till Rabus produces detailed surrealist and photo realist works, painting the wastes of society, including junk food remains, rubbish sacks and old tyres. Rabus employs creative angles and stunning rendering of shiny, reflective surfaces.
Found objects, such as pieces of trash, are glued into Robert Rauschenberg's sculptural, mixed media artworks. Rauschenberg created compositions that merged cuttings, photographs, clothing, rubbish and other found objects together.
New Zealand artist James Robinson produces experimental, textured works, using virtually every medium imaginable.
Finnish artist Elsa Salonen produces delicate, intricate paintings that capture you within a whimsical world. This painting is from a series in which Salonen explores cultural and biographical interpretations of time.
A gruesome, gory exposure of flesh and bulging, wounded form, the artwork of contemporary British painter Jenny Saville has been studied by many students. An excellent art model for painting students, Jenny Saville is unafraid of addressing contentious issues head on.
Simon Schrikker has completed some of the most amazing paintings of dogs that I have ever seen. His images of rottweilers are particularly impressive. He describes his paintings as a fight between the painter and the initial photograph of the dog.
Writhing, seething household objects are captured in this painting by New Zealand painter Sylvia Siddell. Inanimate, 'potentially dangerous' objects - often those related to household chores - are brought to life in Siddell's energetic paintings.
New Zealand artist John Walsh is the most talented person I know. When I was a young child, he lived just down the road from me. I remember being amazed at the detail and high levels of realism in his work. Critically acclaimed, John Walsh's paintings explore a 'playful interpretation' of modern issues, with reference to mythical Maori imagery, ancestral figures and ethereal landscapes.
There is a great article about John Walsh’s work in the New Zealand Herald.
This painting by contemporary Chinese artist Zhang Xiaogang recently sold for $2.97 million. Zhang Xiaogang draws inspiration from old family photos and explores issues of identity, genealogy, and family. The people in his paintings are depicted with stylised features that differ only in small minute ways. Splashes of colour disturb the tension and heighten the unease in these eerily captivating works.
Written by Amiria Gale [artist + experienced teacher]:
- Art and Design Teacher for seven years;
- Faculty Co-ordinator, responsible for the course design, curriculum development and assessment of Art and Design work in high-achieving Auckland schools;
- Bachelor of Architectural Studies; Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary);
- CIE Accredited Art & Design and Design & Technology Coursework Assessor.
[This is part of a series of blog posts aimed at assisting A-Level Art students to gain exemplary grades]
Hello!
For my AS coursework, our theme is ‘transformations’ and I’ve decided to focus on the urban decay…mainly of buildings and places as this is something which really bothers me and I think I can send a strong message. But I am really struggling to think of any artists. I was wondering if you know any artists that I could research who do work based on decaying buildings/structures? Or maybe even just around the theme of vandalism etc.
Thank you x (your site is amazing!)
Hi Georgina,
A photographer known as Compound Eye has some quite cool urban decay photographs. Are you a painting student? Some painters that might be of value include Lyonel Feininger and Andrew Wyeth. Jeffrey Smart’s paintings might make you think about your topic from another angle too. I will let you know if I think of any more!
Good luck!
Or perhaps Paula Rosa?
Wow, Paula Rosa’s works are fantastic, and the others are really interesting too! Thank you so much that was really helpful
x
No worries!
Hi Amiria! You wouldn’t believe how relieved I was when I stumbled upon your blog! I realize you do not really promote watercolour? I mean I don’t think there are enough? Anyway, I’m currently sitting for my A2 personal study component and have chosen to focus on contemporary watercolour painting but I’m struggling to find a theme and give an enough logical explanation to cambridge other than expressing alot of fondness towards illustrative styles. I’ve recently found watercolour and amazing medium and have used them in previous components. Can you help suggest a few contemporary watercolourists and help me find a theme?
Hi Chy,
Thank you so much for your comment. You are right, I haven’t promoted many water colour works on my blog so far. Painting students in New Zealand (where I am) tend to focus on acrylics or oil paint, thus the majority of resources I have on my blog are to do with this, however water colours can (and are) used with great success by many students – it is indeed an amazing medium. I will feature this more on my blog in the future, so thank you for the reminder!
As for finding a theme, there are an infinite number of possibilities, so it is difficult to guide you without more information. Have you read this post on how to come up with a good A Level Art idea? A theme is chosen irrespective of medium (i.e. a theme can be expressed using any number of mediums) so using water colours unfortunately doesn’t narrow it down!
Here are some contemporary water colour artists who spring to mind… Ben Tour, Marion Bolognesi, Alvaro Castagnet, Stina Persson, Elisa Mazzone, Abby Diamond, Conrad Roset…
Hope that helps! If you need more assistance regarding a theme, please read through the blog post linked to above and ask a question on that page… Thanks!
Hi
I have started my AS coursework(fine art) on the subject water. (Last year i recieved an A* in art with a coursework based on flowers and then my exam piece was based on street lights.) I have taken photographs of ink in water and fabric in water. Also ive looked at the seascape and taken photos of waves and splashes ect. I have then looked at someone jumping into a puddle with wellies on, concentrating on the splash created. I have also looked at droplets on grass, of rain ect.
I really wanted to do someting on tears, looking at the different types of tears and the emotions behind them. It inks in with the water theme still and ties in with the droplet work ive already done.
However i was told i shouldnt do the ‘tears’ idea because it ‘over complicates’ my project. Im not sure what to do now, and i have no idea how to link together what ive done to make it flow. Im trying to find something ‘gritty’ but ive hit a brick wall. Please help!
Thanks Jasminder
Hi Jasminder,
Thanks for your question. I tend to agree with your teacher that you should steer clear of tears as a subject matter. Tears are a very obvious symbol of sorrow (in the way that a heart is the obvious symbol of love). Although it is possible to make great art about tears, there is considerable risk that your work could turn out too literal, or worse, cheesy. In addition, ‘tears’ implies the human form that created the tears…which brings another complex ‘object’ into your project. This is probably what your teacher meant about over complicating things. Water and reflections on their own are a challenging subject … for many students it would indeed be wise to avoid the introduction of the human form. As an A* student, however, you may be able to cope with the complexities of water + human form… perhaps it is worth clarifying with your teacher whether the ‘cheesiness’ aspect was their primary concern? If so, there are ways of dealing with this. For example, Linnea Strid has produced some paintings of water streaming across faces that imply tears, without being quite so literal.
In general, however, your main lack of direction seems to stem from the fact that you have chosen a topic (water) without an accompanying idea to back it up (I am not sure if you have read my post on selecting a good A Level Art idea? It may be helpful if you haven’t). Once you have an idea, you will find it so much easier to know how to progress, as the idea will drive your aesthetic decisions.
I would think carefully about what it is that lead you to select water in the first place. What moves or inspires you about water? Perhaps it is a childhood memory of water streaming down a window sill…the feeling of enclosure / safety this brings; perhaps it is the life-giving nature of water, and how it is an essential element in every living being. Whatever the case, these thoughts, ideas and feelings should drive your decision making.
Hope that gives you some kind of idea. Please don’t hesitate to comment again if you need more help!
Thank you for your help! And actually giving me a reason for steering clear of tears. I’ve looked at Linnea Strids… But I’m going to do more research.
You explain things really well
Thanks!
Hi Amiria
I have just launched my solo exhibition at my own gallery which you can view here http://www.uniongallery.co.uk/index.php/exhibitions/
The feedback has been a amazing and the comments both wonderful and interesting. Today somone suggested the artist was depressed which I found fascinating. Some of my work is quite melancholy…it’ss meant to be, but I hope also beautiful. Perhaps you could give me some feedback? Out of interest I decided to google search for ‘disturbing paintings’ and came across your brilliant blog. I find Simon Birch, Simon Schrikker and Han Hyo-Seok to be a breath of fresh air! Thanks for sharing, Alison
Thank you for sharing your link with me Alison. I think your work is both melancholy and beautiful. Good luck with your exhibition.
Hi, started AS art in september after getting an A at GCSE, i was wondering what i need to do to excell after making the step up.Also I’ve been given the theme of viewpoints to work with and i chose to look at political viewpoints. I was really drawn to propaganda of WW2 and how political correctness has changed, Im not short of artists as i found a book on propaganda, but i dont know where to take the project in terms of developing an idea and doing observational studies seen as most of the time then people im drawing are political figures
I would really appreciate it if you could give me some advice and some tips on how to get a good mark, i really dont want to fail
Hey Dan,
The first thing you need to do is become very familiar with the assessment criteria. If you are studying CIE A Levels, I have written posts about AS Coursework and the AS Examination / Controlled Test that may help you. Your idea should be developed with reference to artist models. Please read this post on how to develop your work, and ask me more questions if you are still unsure.
I am sure you won’t fail! The very fact that you are searching the internet for advice indicates that you are a hardworking student – you will do well!
Btw, I thought you may be interested in this folio… It is a NCEA Level 2 art board, which is the equivalent of AS, and achieved an excellence, which is the top grade. A write-up can be found about it at the bottom of this page.
Hey there, I’ve just started AS art and as part of our theme ‘urban environent’, we have to pick a word that relates to this as a starting point. I’ve come up with some including ‘time’, ‘erosion’, and ‘discarded’ and I’m struggling with what to pick, do you have any other ideas? And also are there any interesting artists that use decay and layers of paint? Would really appreciate some help – just like to say how amazing your blog is as well!
Thank you Chloe
I suggest you read this blog post about A Level Art ideas if you haven’t done so already – also read some of the comments as many are from students who have a similar theme to you…you might pick up some ideas here.
As for artists… perhaps Andrew Wyeth or Paula Rosa?
hey amiria,
I am planning to incorporate text with faces in my work. I have done some research into artists who use text in their works but haven’t found any artist who is interesting enough as such…Are you aware of, or can u pls suggest some artists who uses text in their works, especially in the background, in an interesting manner…??
Maybe Jonathan Darby or Colin McCahon?
Hi, thank you for your blog, it is very useful.
I am struggling with my A-Level project. I have a few ideas but not sure where to go with them;
-Concealment, hidden, repression, enclosure, wrapping
-burying emotion, covering pain
-aging, decay
-obsession
-I also love the idea of incorporating text, so something like text or poetry
Would be very interested to hear your thoughts on these topics
Thanks
Hi Jess,
The suitability of these ideas really depends on a) how relevant the topic is to you (reading this post on how to come up with a good A Level Art idea may help you understand this) and b) whether you are able to access quality items to draw / use as source material. Of the ideas you have listed, my brief responses are as follows:
- Concealment: quite a common topic. Might be difficult to make it really awesome and unique;
- Burying emotion: would need to be tied to a particular emotion / painful experience that is connected to you…i.e. will only work if you are deeply scarred by some kind of emotional event… (if so, this is great fodder for an inspiring art project)!
- Aging / decay: again, needs to connect to something that is personal to you…i.e. a grandmother, or a decaying personal possession or place of importance… (the decay topic is VERY common, however, so I would tend to avoid this);
- Obsession: sounds fun and like it would have lots of potential. Would need to explore a particular obsession though (preferably one that you know intimately…or an obsession that affects someone who is close to you)…
Text is something that can be a part of exploration of any topic – the only thing I would mention with incorporating this is that you need to proceed with care, as it can be very easy for text to appear cheesy and too literal.
Please let me know if you need more help!
hi, thank you for taking the time to create this blog, it has offered me alot of advice, motivation and inspiration.
i have just recieved my theme (AS level fine art) patterns of light and shadow; do you know of any artist? i was going to look at alan jaras but this brings me onto my next point my begining drawings (observations)i am having trouble thinking of subject matter to draw that would enable me to produce detailed tonal drawings (as this is my strongest media)and unfortunety this would not be a good starting point.
thank you for taking the time to read this, any help would be greatlly appreciated
Thanks Mia,
Before you attempt to select artists or come up with subject matter, you need to think of an actual idea that will relate to this topic. Light and Shade is a very broad starting point that could relate to many, many topics, so it is very difficult for me to suggest any artists if you haven’t yet come up with a personal interpretation yet. Please go through the process outlined on this post about coming up with a good A Level idea which should help with this process. Once you have narrowed it down to a few possibilities I will be more than happy to help!
Photographer Misha Gordon does spring to mind, however… (Misha’s works could inspire paintings / drawings too).
Oh, and I forgot to say – there are also a number of topics under the ‘shade’ category on this post about Art Exam ideas that you may find helpful! Good luck
Hi Amiria, thank you for making this blog it’s brilliant! At the moment I’m doing my A2 Art exam and my topic is Self-Image. I’m planning to look at some traditional approaches to the theme, such as standard self-portraits by artists like Rembrandt, but also want to incorporate some modern artists. Please could you suggest any artists you think would be good? I’ve already looked at Chuck Close, Francis Bacon and Minjae Lee. Thank you so much!
Thanks Abi
Please peruse my Pinterest painting and drawing boards. These are collections of some of my favourite artist works and include quite a few modern portrait artists.
Enjoy!
Hello Amiria, fantastic blog, thanks to you, ive gotten a great look at some great artists. I’m a art student currently doing my Igcse art exam, and this years theme is “delicate”, it’s time for me to do my Assessment objective two, which is to look at artists, and im having a bit of trouble finding suitable artists, could you please suggest some suitable artists for me to do some research on? Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Hi Jack,
It is difficult to suggest artists without knowing how you are going to interpret this theme. Also, it pays to bear in my mind that artists do not necessarily have to explore a similar theme, but can inspire you in terms of composition or painting technique. In other words – there are virtually unlimited options!
You might, however, like to look through my Pinterest Boards, which contain a collection of artist and student work. Hopefully you find something to inspire you in there!
Hi Amiria, my topic is Experiences & I’m going down the route of leisure and the idea of figures doing sport…I’m looking for artists who use interesting materials and techniques other than acrylic/watercolour, and one who uses ink especially – it’s for my critical responses, and I’m finding it hard to discover exciting yet possible (in school) techniques.
Would love to hear if you know of any artists like this,
Thanks!
Hi Rhiannon,
Please look through my Pinterest Boards, particularly in the Painting, Drawing and Mixed Media sections. This is where I collect images of artworks that might be helpful to students. There are lots that use exciting, creative techniques. Although I don’t have many that are directly related to the subject of sport, there are quite a few that would be useful for movement – or even simply as inspiration for a technique or way to use media.
Hope that helps!
You might particularly be interested in this artwork, completed by an A2 Art student, which shows realistic images painted on a ground of inky, watered down paint drips…
Hi Amiria,I’ve chosen realism for this project, and i was wondering if u know any modern realist painters that i could look for.
Thankyou
Hi Jey,
Unfortunately there are many, many modern realist painters, so it is very difficult for me to make any suggestions! What subject matter are you exploring?
When I get a chance or so I will be making a post about realism, but in the meantime some artworks that spring to mind are: this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this or this!
hiee..OH my gosh..i was soo scared for my controlled test topics but after coming across your website..i have ample ideas now!:D
i am working on ‘the whole or upper part of a figure engaged in a hobby or leisure activity’..do you have any suggestions?
Hi Zehra,
The first thing I would do is establish what hobby or leisure activity your figure will be engaged in. I would suggest that this is something that is visually interesting (but not too complex as drawing a figure is complex enough as it is) and something which is also personally relevant to you (read more on this post about A Level Art ideas). I would then seek out artists to inspire you… feel free to look through my Pinterest Boards for ideas. Good luck!
thanx!
i went through your blog and was really inspired by simon birch’s dancing figures..i am pretty ok with figures and was hoping if i could just develop my prep sheets based on a person(my sister) dancing..Would love to hear if you know of any more artists who do paintings that are blur and in motion.
Thanx again!
Hi Zehra,
I agree – Simon Birch produces amazing paintings! You might also be interested in this, this, this, this, this, this and this!
Hi there! Is there any artist reference on surrealist nightmares? Not the common fear/literal meaning among the people but more in depth in it..
An example.. Things that people find very gruesome and gross coming alive in their nightmares..
Hi Kenneth,
Not sure if this is exactly what you have in mind, but here are some artworks that spring to mind when I think of nightmares… this, this (top left image), this, this, this, this and this!
hihi amira,
if ur there, i need some urgent help, it time for me to do my igcse final piece but i only have a very vague idea of what its gonna like, the theme for this year was delicate, and i chose mountaineering as it was a “delicate situation”, mainly my art revolves around the dangerous situation mountaineers find themselves in, if you happen to know anything that could help me, even if its a painting completely unrelated to mountains but has a cool technique that i could use or apply, please share it with me, at this point im really desperate T.T
Hi Jack,
It has been five days since you commented, so it may be too late for my advice! For techniques, I recommend you look through the posts I have done on creative use of media. Your topic in general sounds quite awesome, I must say. I hope you had first-hand material to work from? For artist and past student inspiration, you might like to look through my Pinterest Boards.
Good luck!
haha, it is, when i posted this, it was two days away from the day that i had to do my final piece, but thanks to a referral to the pinterest site you mentioned to me a few comments earlier, i managed to find enough picture to create a a fantastic final piece, now all have to do is prepared my 3 pieces of A2 prep sheet which i have to show my development of ideas, once again i need to ask you for help in finding an artist as in my final piece i only made one artist connection which was mc escher, other than that ive got some photographs of mountaineering gear( a shop selling was only 2 blocks away ^^) and some showing a sense of vertigo, so thanks for the help, i really appreciated it
Hi Jack,
Your ideas make me think of Joel Rea, but as you have already completed your final work and are trying to work backwards, this may not work. It really depends on the style of your work. If you have kept to a mainly realist style, then any realist artist would be fine, even if their subject matter is unrelated to yours.
Sorry – very hard to be more specific without seeing your work.
Good luck!
hello amiria,
sorry to bother you yet again, i know im annoying and i often annoy myself too, but could you suggest an artist that uses a collage style of work? for example, like making a building out of pictures of other building? because that what i did for my final piece, i took different pictures of mountains that showed vertigo and tried to mash it in together, i know im a fool for not finding an artist before doing my final piece, but i been trying to find an artist like that but with no luck, so can you please help me out? one last time?
Hi Jack,
Don’t worry – it is good students that ask many questions!
Perhaps this, this, this, this, this or this?
HEY AMIRIA!
Do you know any artists that draws flowers and do you have any idea on a theme which is flowers. I am trying to do something which is heavenly and have a nice scenery?? please help me
Hi Sabrina,
I am going to be honest and say that your topic sounds worryingly ‘pretty’ to me. By this I mean that heavenly scenes, flowers and ‘nice scenery’ have been represented so many times throughout history that it is very hard to pull this topic off in a riveting, original, eye-catching way. But this is not to say that it is impossible. Feel free to look through my Pinterest Boards. I have collected many awesome contemporary artist works here that may give you ideas. Good luck!