David Wightman is an English painter known for his abstract and landscape acrylic paintings using collaged wallpaper. He studied Fine Art at Middlesex University and gained an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art, London. His magical paintings most often depict mountain ranges, where colour takes precedent. The result is boldly colourful mountain ranges that have their own unique strain of psychedelic geometry. We are delighted to have four prints of his landscapes in our shop. David sat down for a chat with us about his process, work and influences.
David Wightman - Ottoline ii
David, mountains have been the inspiration for many painters including Paul Cezanne and Thomas Cole. What do you think draws artists to mountain landscapes?
It’s clear that the immense beauty of mountains have been visually irresistible for many artists - including myself. When I first started to create landscape paintings and prints, I was drawn to the works of Caspar David Friedrich and painters from the Hudson River School - both of whom painted stunning and picturesque mountain scenes. Their exploration of sublime and beautiful landscapes is something I try to continue in my own work.
Where in the world are your landscapes taken from?
My landscapes are entirely imaginary. I’m influenced by places I’ve visited and by the works of previous landscape painters. However, I’m not interested in depicting real destinations or staying true to nature or any particular artistic movement. I want to be free to create beautiful landscapes that aren’t anchored to a specific place or style.
David Wightman - Persephone
Colour is clearly very important to your work. How do you go about selecting which colours will work for each piece?
Colour is perhaps the most important element of my practice. My early paintings were geometrically abstract and very colourful. I’ve adapted my love of bold shapes and saturated colour from my abstract work to my landscape paintings and prints. My use of colour is far more intuitive than scientific: it is the result of ongoing studio experimentation rather than a reliance on theory. I see the genre of landscape as a perfect way to explore colour.
And finally, why did you want to get involved with Art on a Postcard?
I’ve been involved with Art on a Postcard for a few years and have seen the great work they do for The Hepatitis C Trust. I also love the idea of creating postcard variations of my work. I think of my postcard landscapes as souvenirs of my imagination.
David Wightman - Ottoline
David will be showing new prints at the London Original Print Fair with Long & Ryle at the Royal Academy of Arts. The fair opens this Thursday 03 May until Sunday 06 May. For more of David's work head to his website here.
All prints are available on our website in our shop.