Ep 137: Paul Newton (part 2)

Most artists know that painting a portrait in a tradition where colour and form appear realistic takes years of training where trial and error play an important part.

This is part 2 of my interview with leading portrait painter Paul Newton. He makes the analogy of a painter being like a cook and it’s an appropriate one. And like a celebrity chef printing his secret recipes in a cookbook, Paul shares in this episode many of the lessons he’s learnt through his years of experience.

In the first of this two part conversation, Paul spoke with me about how he became an artist and the stories behind several of his stunning portraits. In this episode, we talk more about the creation of his paintings.

Amongst other things, we talk at length about colour, he shares the pitfalls when using photographic references, the challenges of painting backgrounds and he shares an interesting approach on how to see work with fresh eyes, something crucial for portraitists painting in a realistic style.

Paul is a fifteen-time Archibald finalist (including twice People’s Choice and Packing Room Prize winner), has 6 works in the National Portrait Gallery’s collection and has painted dozens of commissions of notable people from politicians to movie stars.

Scroll down for two YouTube videos, the first of excerpts from the podcast interview and the second of Paul demonstrating mixing flesh tones on his palette.

To hear the podcast episode click ‘play’ beneath the above photo.