Bernard Dunstan NEAC RA RWA PS Hon died in 2017.
Artist Statement
“Paint what you love, love what you paint.”
Method of Working
Bernard Dunstan painted from direct observation, studio work, from oil sketches and drawings of one kind or another, all his painting life, employing imagination and improvisation as the work seemed to demand. For his musical subjects, he was able, for many years, to attend orchestra rehearsals to make many sketchbook notes; working from these to form the basis of paintings.
Some works carried straight through; others went through many stages and even many years. He used a full palette. He worked mostly on pieces of primed and toned board of his own making, the primer being rabbit skin size with chalk. Bernard spent time sitting on his sofa contemplating his work. "This is good for the painting!" he said.
Biographical Details
Educated, St. Pauls, Byam Shaw, Slade School
Wartime, Observer Corps.
Married Diana Armfield RA, 1949, 3 sons
Art school teaching: Camberwell, Byam Shaw, City and Guilds. Residencies: Perth (Aus.), Wyoming (USA)
Chairman AGBI
Other Society Memberships
Royal West of England Academy
Royal Academy
Pastel Society, Hon
Past Exhibitions
2015/16 Joint Show with Diana Armfield. Belle Shenkman Room, Royal Academy
2015 Royal Academy “Now”
2008 Curwen & New Academy 50th Anniversary
1985 Perth, Australia, Joint show with Diana Armfield
Mid 1980s Solo, Stremmel Gallery, Nevada, USA
1976 Solo, Agnews
1950-76 Solo, Browse, Delbanco
Late 1940’s Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
Publications
'The New English' (represented in, 2006) by Kenneth McConkey, ISBN 1903973988
‘The Paintings of Bernard Dunstan’ (1993) ISBN 0715300660
‘John Ruskin, The Elements of Drawing’ (1991, Illustrated edition with notes by Bernard Dunstan) ISBN 0823016021
‘Paintings in Progress’ (1976) ISBN 0 273 008994
‘Painting Methods of the Impressionists’ ISBN 0823037118