Philip Westcott
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Cityscapes and Figures in oil, acrylic and watercolour

My interest in figures was established in my local shopping centre at Salford. Here I found access to a variety of figures in relaxed poses. My early studies concentrated on groups of seated figures engaged in casual conversation. My immediate concern was for the intimacy of the group rather than the environment they were in. The architecture merely served as a backdrop to the characters portrayed.

I returned to the setting of shopping centres and precincts, but with a new vision. Increasingly the architecture was becoming a dominant feature of the composition and the figures almost anonymous within it. The interiors of the contemporary precinct created a different spatial relationship between figure and ground. There were various levels, heights and depths within the interior studies further enhanced by the use of reflective surfaces and the use of artificial light. The individual identity of the shop front was irrelevant to the composition. The interest lay mainly in the overall architecture. Whilst the interior structure was well documented the main concern was to create an overall impression. Within this context, the figures were no longer viewed as individual characters but almost become as one within the interior. Figures merged into crowds and receded into the distance, or in more recent work, whilst maintaining individual form, blended into the structure of the composition. The contemporary precinct was faster moving and appeared to be less of a social experience. People had less opportunity to rest, relax and communicate with each other. This was reflected in the composition and treatment of figures.

Site visits, sketches and photographs played an important preparatory role. Initial compositional studies were in watercolour and mixed media on a smaller scale. Oil studies afforded the opportunity to build up more layers of colour. Colour was applied with a dry brush to create an airy effect and so a shimmering quality which added to the sense of movement of the figures and the reflective interior surfaces. Figures were deliberately indistinct with small glimpses of detail picked out. The softness of the figures created a sense of impermanence.


As my work continued to develop, certain qualities began to dominate more fully. The architecture featured more boldly within the composition, and there was a stronger sense of the symmetry and geometry of the interior. There was more interest in individual blending into the environment, rather than the earlier crowded more panoramic views. Recent paintings featured escalators and stairways which showed the use of different levels to break up the canvas.


A quiet moment. Near Saddleworth. Private collection
Three men Salford Precinct
Three women one man Salford Precinct. Acrylic painting Private collection
Manchester Arndale Christmas Private collection
Arndale view to Market street
Watchers Manchester Arndale in the 80's
Arndale stairway
Bolton Market place Private collection
Bolton escalators. Watercolour Private collection
Bury shopping centre. Watercolour Sold private collection
Fish and chips. Salford precinct in the 80's Private collection
Family diner. Salford precinct in the 80's Private collection
Family group. Salford precinct in the 80's Sold Private collection
What's in the bag. Salford Precinct in the 80's
Four ladies. Sold Private collection
Royal wedding street party Seedley 1 Collection of Salford Art Gallery
Royal wedding street party 2 Seedley Private collection
Market street Manchester
Tell me about that goal you scored Grandad. Acrylic painting
Arndale stairway. Watercolour Sold Private collection
Children's rides. Manchester Arndale
Loving couple Salford Precinct in the 80's
Youths Stockport Sold Private collection.
Shopping trolley. Salford precinct in tre 80's Private collection
Shops Stockport Sold Private collection.
Shoppers Stockport. Watercolour Sold Private collection
Manchester Arndale in the 80's. Oil painting Sold Private collection.
Caring.
Tesco bag. Salford precinct in the 80's Acrylic Private collection
Tired runners. Piccadilly marathon Lancaster road Salford. Collection of Piccadilly radio
Piccadilly Marathon Lancaster road Salford. Collection of Piccadilly Radio
Gossips. Salford precinct in the 80's
Demolition Salford. Near Vere st. Oil painting. Sold Private collection
The Entry. Salford Private collection
Demolition Weaste. Salford
Old tin bath. Weaste Salford Sold Private collection.
Turner's buildings. Salford. Oil painting Sold private collection
Manchester Bombing. Oil painting. Private collection.
Mill gate Bury. Watercolour
A nice moment. Salford precinct in the 80's. Private collection
Two men Salford precinct in the 80's
Salford Precinct in the 89's. Oil painting. Collection of Salford Art Gallery
Fish and chip lunchtime. Salford precinct in the 80's. Private collection
Resting Stockport. Oil painting
iMax Manchester
Chinese gate Manchester. Sold Private collection
Wet evening Manchester
Deansgate Manchester. Oil painting
Trafford Centre
The Orient. Trafford centre
Café. Trafford Centre
New Orleans. Trafford centre. Oil painting
Manchester study Deansgate. Oil painting. Sold private collection
Deansgate Manchester 24"x18" Sold Private collection
Christmas Market Manchester Oil 18"x 16"
Est Est Est Trafford Centre oil 18"x 16"
A rest from Shopping Salford Precinct. Acrylic painting Sold Private collection
Altrincham,. Acrylic painting
Pie Smoker Eccles Acrylic Pen and Ink
Remembrance Sunday 2019 Acrylic Pen and Ink
'Thoughtful' - Two generations showing respect #RemembranceSunday #Eccles 2019 #lestweforget Acrylic Pen and Ink
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  • Home
  • About
    • Press cuttings
    • Pictures from previous exhibitions
    • A short Video
  • Landscapes
  • Cityscapes
  • Holidays
  • Digital Drawings
  • Blog
    • A-Z Blog
  • Sketches
  • ABSTRACT PAINTINGS
  • Themed paintings
  • Feedack from Galleries etc.
  • Comments and Contact form