Pattern In Painting
With hundreds of new artworks coming into the Sulis Studio each week, we see all sorts (no really, from a proud butcher with his bratwurst to a ballet dancing hippo, we really have seen it all!)… But one thing that seems to be consistent among the influx of art, is pattern. Whether it is adding drama to an otherwise static still life or giving a portrait a final splash of character, pattern is everywhere. Textiles, interiors, architecture and illustration, all full of bold colours and shapes. So, just what is it about pattern that captures us and engages artists everywhere? Let’s take a look at some of our favourite pieces from here in the Studio, that feature a range of glorious patterns, and find out!
Even the most simple of still life compositions can be elevated to eye catching status with a confident pattern.
This was a favourite in the Sulis Studio, as soon as it came in! It’s chaotic, its busy and its full of curios! The array of textile and ceramic motifs is a feast for the eye. We particularly enjoy the flash of red from the unusual Staffordshire-esque figures.
20th Century Watercolour - Earthenware, Jasperware and Statuettes
The pattern in this warm still life is a little more subtle, but we love the familiarity and universal domestic pleasure one gets from garden produce arranged, higgledy piggledy, on a soft cloth, awaiting soup, pies or cakes.
Pattern works in black and white too, as shown here in this striking monochrome ink drawing by one of our represented artists, Isabelle Mulvany. The stripes add a confident weight to the portrait (plus we love a bit of vino…).
This scene makes us long for the simple life of foraging for berries at the end of summer, making jams, jellies and preserves and hunkering down over the long dark winter. Amazing what a simple patterned table cloth can evoke.
D.M. Roberts - Framed Mid 20th Century Oil, Berries in a Bowl
Checkerboard pattern is EVERYWHERE at the moment, and honestly, we really don’t mind! It’s such a universal and timeless pattern that has appeared in art, interiors and fashion for thousands of years, seen in ancient Egyptian pottery and mosaics. Safe to say, it’s a yes from us for this pencil drawing featuring bold checkerboard tiles.
There is so much good stuff going on in this kitchen scene. Braque, champagne, the shine of the glazed pot and the massive gourd! Its a feast for the eyes, alright, topped off by the excellent pink tartan bar mat.
Patrick Julian Fisher (1930-1987) - Oil, Produce in a Pink Kitchen
Colour and pattern like this need no introduction! From one of our represented artist’s, Sian Roberts, this spotty bit of fun has put a smile on our faces!
Complimentary colours make this unusual portrait pop right off the page! Colour and pattern working together in the best way.
Isabelle Mulvany - Contemporary Gouache, Portrait In Orange And Blue
You can’t beat a bold stripe to ground a still life. This cracking oil is making us think of the circus, Punch and Judy on the beach and the pyjamas of our child hoods.
Oliver Warman RBA ROI (1932-2017) - 20th Century Oil, Still Life
We can’t get enough of the simple elegance of this still life. Liqour bottles from the 1960s always had killer designs and this Apry bottle (a French triple sec) is no exception. Paired with the bold black and white stripes, this piece is dripping with the specific style that the 1960s was famous for. Think Mad Men meets a haberdashers!
Mid 20th Century Oil - Still Life of Liquor, Glasses and an Apple
One of the most famous decorative patterns around, The Willow Pattern, as seen here in this array of blue and white, is a design thought to have been inspired by a Japanese fairy tale called The Green Willow and Chinese variants of it which tells of two thwarted lovers, who become a pair of doves in order to be together.
This zany piece comes from one of our recent collection of portraits by E. L. Edwards. The whole collection focuses on contrasting colours and eye catching textiles to bring heaps of fun to each portrait. We wish we knew where this lady got her shirt from!
We just had to go for a close up of this beautiful 19th Century watercolour. The clashing colours of the stripes in this maid’s apron and skirt pocket are just fabulous! Timeless panache!
William Lucas (1840-1895) - 1878 Watercolour, Woman with a Basket of Game
Even in a charming, naive style, this patterned table cloth still holds the eye and adds a splash of fun to this table top still life.
Framed Mid 20th Century Acrylic - Still Life with Patterned Tablecloth
More blue and white china for you! Rather than the traditional Spode or Willow Pattern, this pitcher and bowl sport exotic scenery with the pyramids and palm trees adorning the glazed china. We think it has a rather Dutch feel to it with the dark frame surrounding the lolloping tulips that stand out against the shadowy background.
Mimi Roberts - Early 20th Century Oil, Still Life with White Tulips
Whilst this painting has a poignant melancholy to it in the subject matter, the familiarity of the domestic checked tablecloth seems to add warmth and a feeling of a memory of summers past.
Giorgio Matteo Aicardi (1891-1985) - Mid 20th Century Oil, Death Of Halcyon
The flash of blue from this Willow Pattern plate and bowl, adds life to the earthy tones of this humble still life.
M. H. Nicholson - 1996 Watercolour, Fruit And Willow Pattern
Not strictly a painting, we know, but there is something so wholesome and honest about this culinary still life. Its got us dreaming of simple fish suppers in bistros on the French coastline.
