Words Edel Cassidy
Eddy Greenwood, a figurative artist living in the picturesque town of Wassenaar on the western coast of the Netherlands, practises the ‘sight-size’ technique of painting and drawing, a method of creating representational art with great accuracy.
Originally from Aldridge in the English West Midlands and a graduate of Canterbury College of Art, he worked as an art director for advertising in London. He later moved to the Netherlands where he established himself as a highly respected creative director, and in 2012 received a TED award for best storytelling in film.
Striving to explore his creative talent further, he turned his focus to figurative art and portrait painting, inspired by the work of the old masters Titian, van Dyck and Velázquez. He travelled to Florence and studied at the Florence Academy of Art and Charles H. Cecil Studios, which follows the atelier tradition. This practice stems from Renaissance Italy, when a master painter opened his studio to a select group of dedicated students. These schools are renowned for their commitment to the theory and practice of the sight-size method – the artist sets up to create a drawing, painting or sculpture at a vantage point from where the subject is exactly the size they plan to depict it. The great American portrait painter John Singer Sargent’s use of this method contributed significantly to its popularity.
Eddy now paints exclusively from life, harnessing his studio’s beautiful north-facing light. However, it is not only how he paints that makes him special as an artist. From his years of experience in art direction, he also has an eye for composition,
lighting and finding that special pose that makes a great portrait. Throughout all his work, he strikes a fine balance between likeness to his subject and a beautifully rendered painting.
He has now achieved international recognition and his work can be seen in award shows in Venice, London and Amsterdam. In 2022 two of his paintings were selected as finalists in the 16th ARC International Art Salon.
Alongside his projects and portrait commissions, Eddy Greenwood is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and offers classes in figurative art.
- ‘Eddy Greenwood: Winner of the Anthology Cover Art Competition 2022’ is published in Anthology Volume 19. Read more features from this volume or buy it now.
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