Illuminations - Alison's projects

MY MODUS OPERANDI for each painting begins in the same way, with a site visit and research for details that will add authenticity and as much historical accuracy as possible to the final image.

Few sites fail to present me with a choice of material to be used as detail and embellishment that can be woven into the design and, of course, our great cathedrals, castles and heritage sites offer a particular wealth of imagery and anecdote on which to draw.

Sometimes my starting point might be an original medieval illustration into which I supplant my own storyline and text.

Alternatively I approach the work 'freestyle' and build up my design from the research collected. In either event, the end result is unapologetically pastiche – I intend my pictures to have a ring of authenticity that comes out of a scholarly approach, but I allow myself enormous scope for artistic licence and do not wish in any way to be 'highbrow'! They are supposed to delight as well as educate!

For pictures that are to record a particular place, its history or folklore, I will work from sketches and photographs taken on site. The final painting grows out of all these elements and becomes a unique and custom-made image of characters, events, architectural and topographical details of that place.

At first, the subjects for my paintings were taken exclusively from medieval or earlier history. These episodes soon proved not to have to be my only starting point and I have discovered that events from any time – past or present – can be given the same medieval treatment to great effect! I now receive commissions from many sources requesting that I commemorate a person, place or event as if in the style of an artist of six or seven centuries ago.

I draw out my designs first in pencil and/or ink and then colour with watercolour paints and gouache. The paint is applied thickly and gives a rich effect, while at the same time allowing me a subtlety to create the right feel and textures.