Brian Pearson is a local artist specialising in animals, wildlife and architecture in both watercolour, coloured pencil and limited-edition prints. Brian’s works are mainly created from his own photographic archive

Profile

About Brian Pearson

I am a self-taught artist based in Leek in the Staffordshire Moorlands  specialising in wildlife, nature and architecture under the Briart name. After many years in industry and education I decided to concentrate my remaining career in producing quality original works of art and prints and retired from my last job in the Autumn of 2018. I have been a keen photographer for many years, specialising mainly in nature with some landscape work.  I have exhibited some of my work in past Leek Arts Festivals, one of my photographs of Leek is featured on the Leek Town Council website.   Although my background is mainly in industry I did complete a Pet Portraits art course at the distance learning London Art College and in October 2020 I was awarded a distinction in their Pet Portraits Diploma. I am a keen naturalist and a member of several wildlife charities, including the British Dragonfly Society where I report sightings of local dragonfly activity.

My Work

My work is mainly carried out in coloured pencil and watercolour and is inspired by wildlife, both local and national.  I have dabbled in other mediums but these two are my preferred choice as I find that watercolour and pencil give me the most accurate work in terms of colour and detail. Much of my paintings and pencil artwork are produced from my own photographic archive and I am always on the lookout for new avenues to explore.  Dragonflies form a large part of my recent photographic activities, although they are quite complex to produce artworks from.  

How to Buy My Work

I have an online present both on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/briartartist and my website https://briart49.wixsite.com/mysite where I have a gallery of my work. All my work, except for one-off commissions, are available to purchase as either the original artwork or limited edition Giclee prints using a high-end Canon printer. They are available unmounted or mounted and framed. For more information, please contact me through my Facebook page or website.

Famous Artists Who Have Influenced Me

Some of my favourite artists include Sir Peter Scott and Terence Cuneo, Scott has produced some brilliant wildlife work, particularly of birds and waterfowl. Me and my wife always take the opportunity to visit Wildfowl and Wetland Trust sites, which Sir Peter Scott established in 1946, whenever we can.  There are always displays of his work at many of the WWT sites around the UK. My second artist is Terence Cuneo, who is perhaps well known for his paintings of railway and industrial scenes which show an intense amount of detail and observation. There is also the added detail of a small mouse in his paintings as a trademark, sometimes it is quite a challenge to find it.  Terence Cuneo was also renowned for military and wildlife works.

My Workspace

I work from home at my computer workstation with a small easel and my art materials close by.  I am also a member of the SAA (Society of All Artists) from which I purchase most of my art materials and media. My preferred coloured pencils are from three manufacturers, Faber-Castell, Caran D’Ache and Derwent, I also use Winsor and Newton watercolour paints on a variety of papers from Daler-Rowney to St Cuthbert’s Mill.  My work initially begins from my photographs of which I use Canon EOS DSLRs and a variety of lenses depending on the application and I utilise Adobe Photoshop to adjust and compose artwork as appropriate.

Leek Open Studios and Arts Trail

I am mainly involved with the Art Trail as I do not have studio space and I initially became involved to promote my art and gain a wider audience. I took part in the first Art Trail and had some of my work exhibited in Footprint’s shop in Derby Street, Leek as part of the trail with the kind permission of the owner, Emma.  It was a great experience as a new artist to be involved with such a venture in Staffordshire Art and a great confidence builder to have people say that they have seen my art.

Brian Pearson

March 2021