Artist Spotlight: Andrew Talbot

A household name among the country’s top contemporary hyperrealist painters, British artist Andrew Talbot gives new perspective and significance to seemingly everyday places and objects. Producing a relatively small number of paintings each year as a result of his considered, methodical approach and an intense focus on just one painting at a time, it comes as no surprise that the appetite for Andrew’s work can be described as nothing short of voracious. To shine a light on the practice behind the paintings, we hear firsthand from Andrew about his work, method and inspiration.

I’ve been painting in oil since I was 15 years old. I can still remember the smell of oil paint and distilled turpentine from that very first painting — the one that led me to art school. There’s always a moment in a painting — whether I’m painting a jar of honey, a lace tablecloth resting on delicate skin, or the worn step of an old wooden staircase — when the paint seems to become the thing itself. I never tire of that moment. It’s what has kept me standing at the easel for more than three decades.

My goal is not to copy reality or to create a perfect illusion. I’m more interested in using realism to slow down time — to give an ordinary object or place a presence and a weight. I work slowly, building each painting layer by layer, until the subject seems to glow, as if light were passing through the thin layers of oil paint.

For me, painting is truly observing the beauty of everyday life and setting it down on the canvas. It’s a way of holding on to something beautiful, just for a moment, and inviting someone else to pause with me to see it too.

I’m fortunate to have studios both among the soft hills of southeastern France and in the fascinating landscapes of the north of England, where I work alongside my wife, Susie. It’s a real joy to make a living from something I truly love to do.

How long have I been painting?

I painted my first oil painting when I was 15 years old. After school, I went to art college and then completed a degree in Fine Art. After that, I began working on my own paintings and have now been a full-time artist for 22 years.

What medium do I paint in and why?

Oil is my preferred medium. It offers the deepest depth of colour and dries slowly, which allows me to blend colours very smoothly.

What surface do I paint on?

I painted on a very special board which has been prepared with 6 layers of gesso. For me canvas is too rough and textured and I find it stops me achieving the detail I require.

How long does each painting take to complete?

This is a difficult question, as each painting is different. Generally speaking, a medium- sized oil painting (around 35cm x 50cm) takes about three weeks to complete. Larger works (around 1m x 1m) can take up to eight weeks.

Do I paint from photos or from life?

Generally, I start by composing the still life in the studio. Once I’m happy with the composition, I take a series of up to 200 photos to capture every detail. When I’m painting, I keep the still life objects next to the easel so I can pick them up and study them closely, but I also use the photos as a reference—especially for things like flowers or ice cream.

How do I capture light?

I start with a very bright white gesso panel. For the brightest parts of the painting that I want to “glow,” I preserve the white gesso and apply only pure pigment layers. In contrast, I exaggerate the areas to the left and right with darker, less saturated colours so the contrast makes the highlights glow even more.

Which subject do I like painting best?

Variety helps me stay inspired. One week I might be painting a large peony, the next a tiny toy. I’ve always made a conscious effort to avoid being pigeonholed into painting just one subject.

Why do I paint in a hyperreal style?

I’ve always got a thrill out of painting things very realistically. It’s a constant challenge to keep pushing the realism as I grow as an artist. Painting everyday objects in this way makes people stop and really look at the things we usually take for granted. There’s beauty in every object.

How do I get my inspiration?

I’m always on the lookout for new things to paint. It might be something I find at a local brocante or bakery, an idea from a film I’ve watched, or just a texture or surface I’d like to portray. My wife Susie is also talented at providing me with good ideas too!

In applying this practice, Andrew draws our rapt attention to the narratives and fine, often overlooked details of the world around us, giving a new sense of appreciation and often even freezing time itself. Each painting is an invitation to pause—an invitation that we are all too happy to accept.

To find out more about Andrew Talbot and view his available paintings, visit his artist page here.