Gwyn Hughes is a specialist fine artist, he focuses on portraiture and landscapes, commission pieces, originals and giclee prints. Gwyn paints predominately in oils, and occasionally in acrylic and gouache. He has been painting professionally since the early eighties when he completed art college. Gwyn began his career as a freelance illustrator whilst still at art college in the UK, and as an adult student he completed his 4 year National Diploma in just 2 years.
Gwyn was initially represented by Gary Mills of Allied Artists, Regent Street London 1983-1995 and was then represented by Maggee Barge of Pink Barge, London 1995- 2002, Maggee was reputed to own one of the top London illustrator agencies, and had only 12 illustrators on her books, including top American illustrator/artists -Bernie Fuches and World Renowned Illustrator /Fine Artist – Robert Heindel, famous for his ballet paintings.
Over the years Gwyn’s work has been greatly influenced by American illustrators, this in turn has led to numerous radio and television interviews throughout his career. Research in oil techniques, materials and recipes has seen him sought after to hold demonstrations and lectures to various art societies and groups.
His research has led him to experiment with producing his own varnishes with the use of dammar crystals and his techniques involve layering glazes, often up to 20x to achieve the desired effect.
Gwyn’s extensive art career has seen him commissioned by well-known publishing houses, and advertising companies in the UK and Europe. He has work in the University of Wales, the Roman Bath Museum, London Contemporary Art Company, and has produced portrait commissions for high profile clients such as Sir Bryn Terfel CBE – World renowned Bass/Baritone Opera singer. Gwyn’s ability to produce life-like paintings often feature a glimpse into his subjects life and character, by clever use of images within an image are unparalleled.
He has a desire to create art which has the ability to draw both himself and others in to a scene and a moment in time, which may evoke a strong sensation of ‘wanting to be there’. “ I don’t feel like I’m making ‘art’, I feel like I’m creating stories, I want my audience to do more than just see a painting, I want them to observe, imagine and feel the piece in their own way” Gwyn has recently moved from Wales to New Zealand, he has created a number of landscapes which reflect his love of the spectacular New Zealand scenery, and a variety of ‘image within image’ portraits in his unique style.
