Plans of Attack
International Artist|Wild at heart
Multidisciplinary wildlife artist Daniel Wilson breaks down processes for working in charcoal and acrylic his
Plans of Attack

My goal as an artist is to create work that inspires people. Pieces that can stop a viewer in their tracks and imbue them with a sense of awe and emotion. Whether I have achieved this is of course subjective, and I am my own worst critic, but this is the constant driving force behind what I do. I work primarily in charcoal, pushing the medium to find a balance between abstract and realism. My subjects are usually wildlife, with my career as a biology teacher and interest in our natural world heavily influencing the work I create. I hope that through my wildlife art I can promote awareness of the often vulnerable status of these incredible creatures.  e majority of my charcoal pieces focus on the light and shadow surrounding the subject, often using vignettes in which the subject fades into the surrounding background. For me, this symbolizes how these creatures are very rapidly fading into extinction.

When it comes to creating a charcoal piece I work from reference photos, taken myself or with permission from a photographer. Choosing the right reference is critical for my process. For me the composition of a reference photo is of secondary importance to the lighting. I look for references with strong, contrasting lighting usually coming from a single direction. This is because of the monochromatic essence of charcoal. Without color it can be difficult to show the three-dimensional form of a subject. Strong lighting is required so that you can play with the balance of the dark and light tones, contrasting these areas so that you do not get a flat image. Charcoal is the perfect medium for this, as it is so malleable and can be pushed and pulled around the page in innumerable ways.

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FLERE HISTORIER FRA INTERNATIONAL ARTISTSe alt
Fresh Eyes
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Fresh Eyes

Anna Rose Bain discusses the passions of being an artist and helping students transform their own work

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3 mins  |
October/November 2024
The Next Level
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The Next Level

Jacob Dhein uses a wet-into-wet technique to create painterly depictions of a variety of subjects

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2 mins  |
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Wild Spirit
International Artist

Wild Spirit

Alternating between broad glazes and fine details, Claire Milligan captures the intricacies of the animal kingdom

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2 mins  |
October/November 2024
The Bridge Between
International Artist

The Bridge Between

Watercolorist Thomas Wells Schaller delves into the nuances of observation and imagination

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2 mins  |
October/November 2024
The Color Continuum
International Artist

The Color Continuum

Catherine Hearding demonstrates how she utilizes color to enhance the mood of her landscapes

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3 mins  |
October/November 2024
Points of Precision
International Artist

Points of Precision

A strong focal point and attention to detail make Nicola Jane's artwork jump off the page

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3 mins  |
October/November 2024
BE YOURSELF
International Artist

BE YOURSELF

Harley Brown's fascinating things no one else will tell you

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4 mins  |
October/November 2024
JEFFREY T. LARSON
International Artist

JEFFREY T. LARSON

Expertly Putting the Pieces Together

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October/November 2024
Hot-Blooded
International Artist

Hot-Blooded

Blending elements of realism and surrealism, figurative artist Anna Wypych’'s paintings are dominated by vivid reds

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2 mins  |
October/November 2024
Adam Clague Incandescence
International Artist

Adam Clague Incandescence

Adam Clague’s masterful understanding of contrast allows him to paint subjects that seem to glow from within

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2 mins  |
October/November 2024