Description
Modern acrylic on canvas by John Sprakes RBA, ROI. Entitled “Dark Trees” this is a very typical John Sprakes painting…A landscape painted from the top of a hill with the valley before the artist stretching away into the distance. An interesting use of colour with purple, blues and mauves giving the landscape a wintery feel. The painting is mounted, framed and glazed. The frame measures 56 x 46 cm, with the picture itself measuring 41 x 31 cm.
John Sprakes contemporary British artist. John was born in Doncaster in the 1930’s. Was elected to The Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1984, The Royal Society of British Artists in 1986 and The Manchester Academy of Fine Art in 1989.
The following is copy from a newspaper article featuring this painting….
Sprakes Purple Haze….A Winter scene.
John Sprakes is a very likeable and approachable man who is one of this country’s finest, yet quite under exposed painters. He has produced a large volume of work and is keen to pass on his knowledge and expertise to young budding artists and as such is constantly doing demonstrations at art schools and colleges around the country.
He was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire and had an interest in painting and drawing from an early age. His talent came to fruition whilst at school and he won The Andrew Grant Scholarship to go to Edinburgh College of Art where he studied under the great “Scottish Watercolourists” William Gillies RA, Sir Robin Philipson RA and Dame Elizabeth Blackadder RA. This most prestigious art college can trace its history back as far as 1760 and in its time has produced a huge number of very influential artists, architects, writers and musicians.
After finishing a post graduate course at college Sprakes went on to do his National Service, as every one did in those days and upon completion of his duties to his country, he kept on painting in his spare time but went into teaching. He taught at art colleges for 36 years inspiring so many young artists along the way. John has painted all his life and continues to do so. He is recognised as being a truly great artist by his peers having been elected to membership of both The Royal Society of British Artists and The Royal Institute of Oil Painters.
He has won a number of awards over the years including The Leclerc Fowle Gold Medal (ROI), Sunday Times Watercolour Competition, Winner of The Singer Friedlander Prize, etc. His works are featured in numerous museums, galleries and public and private collections around the world.
This lovely oil painting is in a plain white painted hardwood box frame behind glass and is entitled “Dark Trees”. It was sold at an exhibition by The Royal Society of British Artists held at The Mall Galleries in London in 2015 for £1650. It shows a snowy, hilly landscape with the trees darkened by the explosion of light rising from the snowy fields….all picked out in mellow hues of purple and mauve. A beautiful painting and one of my favourites.
