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Artist - Malcolm Dobbins

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Most people will not be surprised to learn I have a maritime background. Much of the work relates to this theme, although I do work on other subjects from time to time. Living near the Northumberland coast as well as 9 years service with the Royal Navy have inspired me and influenced me for over 40 years. I am never without a sketchbook, I use the sometimes cartoonish drawings and digital imagery to inform the paintings. I am a self confessed disciplinarian when it comes to work; drawings and layout come first, this is important “not leaving anything to chance”. Once the theme and drawings are collated I spend time designing the palette. Drawing books are full of various palettes to suit each series of work. “Working in this way, in series, keeps me fresh. I enjoy the excitement of a new series; inventing new colours and fresh palettes, its one of the less frustrating tasks too”. Once this process is done the exciting bit starts. There are no constraints at this point; serendipity has centre stage, though tools and other mark making paraphernalia help achieve a good patina before any control takes place, and there lies the difficulty and frustrations!

Malcolm Dobbins spent 5 years at Sunderland University studying Fine Art and gained BA(Hons) Fine Art in the early nineties. He then went on to gain MA Art & Design in Context 2005. This is where he learned good research skills and became disciplined in his working methodology.