David Roberts

When I was at school the careers adviser asked me what subjects I wanted to take for A level. I told him Art, Geography and Zoology. He said “What are you going to do with those! Draw animals in Africa? Yes, perfect I replied but of course I wasn’t allowed to mix science, humanities and arts so opted for science instead.

During my various careers I have managed to incorporate art in some form. I illustrated a brochure for an audio visual hire company where I worked as a mobile technician,I illustrated a gallery guide at the National Maritime Museum where I looked after the lecture theatre and recording studio, painted backdrops for an amateur dramatic company and designed brochures for my own businesses. My last business involved a lot of design work and logo creation which stimulated me to start drawing again. I did a couple of courses at Bournemouth Arts University, one in general drawing and one portrait painting.

In 2019 I sold my business and retired, suddenly I had time to paint so I set myself a challenge to post some artwork on my website every day for a year. I am still doing it three years later. A friend asked me along to Broadstone Art Society and I joined in with some of the plein air sessions and became a member soon after.

My preferred subject is people in all the different genres:  portraits, life studies, urban sketching and squeezing them in to landscapes. I use watercolour with pen and wash and have recently started to be invited to sketch at events  including a wedding, garden party, carnival  and music festivals.

I am starting to dabble with oils to see what I can create.

You can find more of my work on my website by clicking here and my Instagram page here.