Artist’s Statement – Lesley Skeates

After graduating in Fine Art at Aberystwyth University, I enjoyed an early career as a Medical Artist, illustrating academic books and journals, including the world-famous Gray’s Anatomy.

Settled in Scotland, I now work full-time as a landscape painter. A keen walker, I find the colours of the natural world provide endless inspiration. I am particularly attracted by the challenge of painting water, be it quiet reflections in a pond or the turbulent surf of the sea.

I prefer to paint directly from nature ‘en plein air’; I aim to complete a painting in one sitting before the light changes and the colours fade. I capture a scene using palette knives and thick, luscious oil paint.

Larger works are painted in my studio in Edinburgh, using the oil studies made in the field for reference.