A Painting of Love original oil painting by Shaun Burgess
A Painting of Love by UK artist Shaun Burgess is an original oil painting in a floater frame. The artwork depicts a man and woman embraced in a loving hug. Here are Shaun’s words about his painting.
‘My contemporary take on a couple in love. My goal here was to create this piece with loose painterly mark making alongside touches of abstract colour. As usual, I push and pull the paint until I am satisfied with the result. I like to produce a feeling of movement within the piece taking it to the next level.’
Shaun aims to capture the viewer’s attention first and foremost. To do this he uses colour, light, movement, and atmosphere. He describes his style as ever evolving disrupted realism, this enables him to push past his natural inclination towards perfectionism and into something much more unique and individual.
This piece comes complete in a contemporary black 12mm profile tray frame with a small shadow gap. Unframed artwork 76cm (h) x 76cm (w) x 2cm (d) Framed size – 82cm (h) x 82cm (w) x 3.5cm (d) Original hand painted artwork on cradled birch panel. All materials used are professional grade and archival. Ready to hang. Certificate of authenticity.
SEE MORE ARWORKS BY SHAUN BURGESS
QUESTIONS TO THE ARTIST ABOUT THE PAINTING
Firstly, what or who inspired you to paint this piece?
I wanted to create a piece depicting love – and what could be better than a hug to do so! I’m inspired by contemporary art and particularly disrupted realism. This gives me freedom to express myself. It is the challenge in my mind between my instinct to make something perfect and to release this expressive desire that inspires every piece I make. It becomes a mental challenge which delves deep into my personality and past.
Tell us about your artistic process in creating this piece?
After an initial sketch, I block in the larger shapes using thin washes. Then I let this underpainting dry fully. The middle, and most challenging layer involves thicker oil paint. I begin to create forms and tighten up the details. Then while still wet I begin to move the paint around using palette knives, spatulas, and my fingers! This middle stage is also where I battle the aforementioned mental challenge. The third and final layer involves making decisions on what works and what doesn’t, redefining or losing edges, adding abstract marks and colour. I’m looking for harmony in this stage and spend lots of time stepping back from the easel.
How do you approach the use of colour in your artwork?
As I have grown as an artist, colour and particularly colour theory, have become more and more important in my thought process and choices. Long gone are the wide-ranging colour palettes with far too many shades. These have been replaced with limited primary colour palettes and maybe a standout complimentary against the overall mood. It is very difficult to learn colour mixing with a more extensive palette as it unnecessarily over complicates your choices. Other important bonuses are much more colour harmony in the finished piece and the ability to use colour, to lead the viewer’s eye into and around the painting.
Why do you choose a floater frame over a traditional style frame?
I love floater frames! In most cases I feel they suit my style of work and give me the simple finished outline I’m after. It never ceases to amaze me how satisfying it is to see the difference this type of frame makes to a finished piece.
Lastly, what feeling or emotion do you hope to convey through this piece
I want to convey the beautiful warm feeling a hug can bring! I see a passionate embrace but viewers may see another, of the millions of reasons, which leads to this human connection. It really is all about love!
SEE MORE ARWORKS BY SHAUN BURGESS
