5-28-18 Figure Study

Thomas Donaldson is a figurative painter from England, currently based in Asia. The artist works figuratively, creating frank, human images that address both the form and spirit of his models.

5-21-18 figure with orange

I enjoy the way that Donaldson employs large, clearly delineated planes of color build up volumes. He tends toward nude figures and portraits, using a wide, occasionally unexpected range of color to render skin tones. Patches of blue, orange, and purple are carefully blended into the shadows of an otherwise fairly neutral composition, and the resulting overall color seems so natural that at first glance it’s difficult to pick out these incongruous hues.

I also appreciate the angles and compositions that Donaldson seems to favor. The artist rarely paints a figure from a straight forward view, and instead often opts to skew the viewing angle so the figure is seen from a tilted, raised or lowered point of view. These angles add interest and layer meaning onto the subject matter, while offering a more dynamic experience for the viewer.

3-24-18 head VI