What is the best time of day? Everyone has their own opinion on this question, but for most people, the end of the day brings a special feeling. Supper Time by Martin Whittam depicts the time of day where work is complete and the community is heading home for an impressive evening meal. Martin Whittam has captured the essence of the hustle and bustle of heading home after any given work day. His expert use of watercolour provides a classic style of painting that is not as common as it once was.
The vintage style of painting keeps individual facial features at bay while highlighting the individuality of each person. This imagery is masterfully maintained through a fun, yet thought provoking piece painted by a truly gifted artist. Supper Time is a pleasant painting to behold and allows the viewer to see and even almost hear what it’s like on that street during that particular time of the day.
Martin Whittam empowered young minds for 30 years as a teacher before retiring and pursuing his art dream. Although his main focus is watercolour, he also dabbles in acrylic. What is unique about Supper Time and practically all of Martin Whittam’s paintings is his detail oriented nature. His background a draughtsman has helped him manage intricate details that give each piece a spirit of its own.
Supper Time is a treat for the eyes. Streets are lined with whimsical style as each building represents the unique urban atmosphere of England’s North cities. Glowing lights showcase the time of day as the sun begins to set and illumination along the streets comes alive. Martin Whittam has captured our imaginations and our hearts with Supper Time, but what does he have to say about this remarkable painting?
Why have you chosen this particular style and what is it about watercolours that attracts you so?
I work in this style because the Northern Naive Style like myself is firmly rooted in the North West of England, I’m heavily influenced by artists such as Arthur Delaney and Theodore Major as well as LS Lowry all of whom painted places and scenes that I recognise and that are not far from where I Live. Unlike them though, I paint mainly in Watercolours, I like the immediacy of watercolour and find that I can have a greater vibrancy than other mediums. watercolour is very unforgiving of mistakes and I enjoy taking risks and being spontaneous.
Is there a reason why you are so fascinated with city life as opposed to classic country settings?
I do occasionally paint classic country landscapes and seascapes but the whimsical cityscapes are my niche – they’re what I’m known for and what sell!
What is your process when visualizing your next piece? Do you start from a sketch or prefer allowing the piece to come together organically?
I make them up as I go along! The buildings, streets and people are generally real but I’ll take bits from different scenes and collage them together to make new and imaginary places which might spark a memory or feeling.
Have you always been fascinated with art or did it come later in life?
I’ve loved Art for as long as I can remember
Is Supper Time a particularly meaningful piece and if so, why?
Supper time is a tribute to Kongs Chippy – Kings was my local chippy, “Mr Kong” retired recently after 35 years. On the last night , the queue was three and a half hours long!
The use of curved lines offers a whimsical appearance to your pieces. Why have you chosen to avoid the use of completely straight line features?
When people ask me why my paintings are wonky I tell them that I live in a wonk world! The curves give my work its whimsical quality and brings it to life, straight lines make them look mechanical.
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