Giles Ward

Giles Ward is an artist and writer based in the South West of England. Originally from Yorkshire he studied fine art at Sheffield before moving to Exeter to study Illustration and Graphic Design.

Experimentation is at the heart of Giles’ painting. Working pre-dominantly in oils his canvases take on other-worldly textures with the addition of acrylics, inks, spray paint, varnishes and anything else he can lay his hands on. He is inspired by the natural world and examines the hidden corners of colour and texture found in nature’s close-up detail.

Giles sources his marine subjects direct from the fishmonger with Brixham Fish Market providing an incredible source of inspiration. Although preferring to work ‘from life’, photographing subjects is essential for Giles’ method of painting. Capturing the shimmering vibrancy of a fresh fish with a camera allows Giles full creative reign to explore various layering and mixed media painting approaches to achieve the desired result. Studying subjects through a lens affords an additional viewing angle and encourages Giles to explore the intricate and often missed details that can be found in the reflections of scales – “they shimmer with not greys, but mauves and purples and, when caught in just the right light, a pale sky blue appears”.

Giles loves to experiment to create effects and won’t be disciplined with paint. Instead, he uses paint in a sculptural way, applying thick layers of oil, and, if required other media and natural textures. Sawdust, thread and crab shell have all been utilised to “lift my subjects from the surface they are laid on”.

Giles Ward is a passionate advocate of the creative arts and is Trustee of the Exeter based arts for health charity Magic Carpet. He has exhibited both in the UK and overseas and continues to sell work to collectors.

View an exclusive interview with Giles Ward here.