ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
© Charlotte Knee Photography
© Mollie Manning Creative
KENT ARTIST PROFILE :
IMOGEN PARTRIDGE
THROUGH HER SMALL AND INTRICATELY DETAILED WATERCOLOURS , IMOGEN PARTRIDGE CAPTURES THE STORIES AND BEAUTY OF THE STILL LIFE , PLACES AND BUILDINGS THAT MEAN THE MOST TO PEOPLE . FROM BESPOKE COMMISSIONS TO WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOPS , SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING HER TALENT WITH THOSE THAT WANT TO CHERISH THESE STORIES AND PLACES IN THE FORM OF ART .
Tell us a little bit about what led you to becoming an artist and how you would describe your art .
I have always loved drawing , painting and doing anything creative . I studied interior architecture at university , but my illustration has helped me pinpoint what I love . It is calm , joyful and immersive creating with my hands , brushes and paper in an evermore digital world . My work is all about stories and capturing places and things that mean everything to people : layers of memories brought into a beautiful illustration . It is small and intricately detailed to encourage the viewer to look closer and for a little longer , discovering more each time you see it . These are precious intimate pieces to reflect the precious intimate stories they hold . It is such an honour to have people trust me with their memories and to mark milestones in their lives , as much as it is to be trusted with bringing character and personality to the businesses and brands I work with .
Tell us a little bit about the techniques and process you undergo to create your art .
My work is all created by hand ; I usually work from a photo and start with a pencil sketch . I send the sketch to the client for approval , before using a fine line pen to draw over the pencil , picking out more detail as I go . This is all freehand so lines are wobbly and organic and I love the movement and personality this gives a piece . Next is painting . I layer up the watercolour , working over and over adding more depth and detail until
I ’ m happy with it . The process usually takes a couple of days depending on the project and client . Sometimes I also add hand lettering or scan it to be used digitally , but computer editing is minimal to retain the authenticity .
You capture lots of Kentish buildings and places in your work , what is it about Kent that you find so inspiring ?
I grew up in Tunbridge Wells and now live in Tonbridge , so I have a lot of fond memories of the area and buildings nearby . We have an incredible wealth of wonderful vernacular architecture and amazing small businesses and I wanted to celebrate that . For my print work I choose places that mean a lot to me , and I always find that these resonate with other people and love hearing their stories about the same places , holding their own memories of them .
Where can we see / purchase your art ?
Zilch Zero Waste , Tonbridge and Greenfinch , Ticehurst . Instagram : @ imogen . partridge Website : www . imogenpartridge . com
For bespoke commissions and to sign up to one of Imogen ’ s all-ability watercolour workshops , visit her website .
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