PaulKennedy - Rosshall Academy

Paul Kennedy Artist Born 1981 - Present

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Paul Kennedy is an Award winning, Glasgow based Artist, he works in a studio in the east End of Glasgow. He has visited Rosshall to do painting workshops with the pupils.

Paul Kennedy Paul graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2004, since then he has continued his development of painting from his studio. He paints Portraits…

Paul Kennedy

….. and nostalgic scenes of Glasgow featuring Trams and the Waverley. He paints people and places close to his heart from the past and present.

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In 2009 Paul was the Aspect Prize Finalist (£10,000 prize) with a painting of a boy called “Springburn Hopes” . This painting launched Paul’s career.

Paul Kennedy Paul used to be a Community arts worker in Springburn. You can see the disused railway factories in the background. It was an Arts workshop for underprivileged kids. “Most pupils were crazy and just wanted to set fire to things! But there was one fantastic pupil who restored my faith in human nature”

Paul Kennedy Paul Kennedy’s Artist influence from the past is Joan Eardley.

Paul Kennedy In the 1960’s Joan Eardley also had a studio in the east end of Glasgow and she painted the underprivileged kids from the Glasgow slums.

Paul Kennedy . Paul likes her “loose techniques and freedom of painting”.

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Joan Eardley would even stick a collage of sweetie wrappers onto the background to look like graffiti

Paul Kennedy The children would be cheeky and lively, not able to sit still for long so her painting technique was quick, messy and expressive, just like the children.

Paul Kennedy The children would play in the street all day …

Paul Kennedy

….. and were often quite scruffy with pale, dirty faces.

Paul Kennedy Paul Kennedy’s Artistic influence from the present is Graham Wilcox.

Paul Kennedy Graham Wilcox is a Glasgow based Artist who paints portraits in a realistic style. Last year he won the National Art Competition prize.

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When Paul visited Rosshall he painted a picture of Mr Leven’s daughter called Olivia.

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This is the technique and working methods he used:

Paul Kennedy

1. Paul worked from a photograph and used Acrylic paint. First he drew an outline using a brush and watery black paint.

Paul Kennedy

2. Then he blocked in her hair using a wide brush and the darkest shade first

Paul Kennedy

3. He blocked in the skin tones with a wide brush using the darkest colours first (mauve/purple)

Paul Kennedy

4.Then painted the lighter skin tones over the top. He added light red highlights over the hair.

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5. Using a smaller brush he added more detail.

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6. The finished painting.