Fine Art Blog

Category: TV & Film

  • ‘Show Me The Monet:’ – New Art TV Series on BBC Two

    ‘Show Me The Monet’ is a brand new 10-part art series that aired for the first time yesterday evening at 17:15 on BBC Two in the UK. The series follows the competitive journey of both professional and amateur artists from every corner of the UK, as they battle to secure a spot in the ‘Show Me The Monet’ grand exhibition and sale held at the Royal College of Art, London.


    However, making it to the grand finale will be no easy feat for the contenders, as they will have to face three of the toughest critic’s from the art world. The first judge is art historian, critic, and broadcaster: Charlotte Mullins, the second: David Lee is an art critic, historian, and editor of art magazine ‘The Jackdaw,’ and the third judge is art dealer and historian: Roy Bolton. The contestants’ nerve-racking meeting with the judges could potentially lead to their dreams coming true, or for those that aren’t so lucky having their artistic creations dashed on national television.


    Picture of judges: David Lee, Charlotte Mullins & Roy Bolton


    Those that manage to secure the much needed stamp of approval from the judges could go on to make some serious cash at the grand exhibition, as members of the public and prestigious names from the art world alike will be bidding to buy the best art work on show.

    This brand new series continues tonight at the same time of 17:15 BBC Two

    Thanks

    Jess

    Useful Links
    www.showmethemonet.tv
    Watch the first show here (limited time)
    General Info about the show and its presenter & judges
    Royal College of Art, London

  • Timmy Mallett celebrates ‘The Railway Children’ – film’s 40th Birthday

    To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ‘The Railway Children’ film adaptation, Timmy Mallett has painted & released three brand new limited editions prints in Timmy’s classic painting style:

    Timmy stands proudly with his paintings

    As well as having Timmy’s signature style there is also something special about these pieces. As normal each limited editions is signed by Mallett ….AND AMAZINGLY each is also signed by 3 stars from the film – Bernard Cribbins, Jenny Agutter and Sally Thomsett! So these pieces are an absolute must have for anyone who loves one of Britain’s all time favourite children’s films!

    This is a real opportunity to invest in something that you loved during your childhood or to be part of this celebration. Perhaps you are new to this film or Edith Nesbitt’s original book?


    ‘Send Our Love To Father’ by Timmy Mallet
    (available as an on paper or canvas limited edition)

    The editions of these pictures are very low – only 50 Canvas and 100 paper limited editions have been produced & this is going to heighten demand and increase dramatically the collectability of this range.


    ‘Saved By Red Petticoats’ by Timmy Mallett
    aka: ‘Saved by Red Petticoats’
    (available as an on paper or canvas limited edition)


    ‘Oak Worth’ by Timmy Mallett
    (available as an on paper or canvas limited edition)

    Thanks

    James

    Links:
    Timmy Mallet Interview Part 1
    Timmy Mallet Interview Part 2
    Timmy’s Official Website

  • Timmy Mallett: not just a TV talent but an Artist as well!

    Firstly please make sure you not sipping tea or using heavy plant machinery, ok here goes…I bet you didn’t know Timmy is now an up & coming UK artist. Surprised? Well read on…

    Timmy Mallett began his media career as a radio presenter, starting at BBC Radio Oxford in the early 1980s and later as a children’s television presenter starting on TV-am. He would become known to millions of viewers of early morning TV for his eccentric dress sense, consisting of brightly coloured shirts & crazy Elton John-esque glasses & his ultra hi-energy presenting.


    Sunflowers In France by Timmy Mallet

    Many will have memories of Timmy’s actual toy Mallet: Pinky Punky or ‘Mallet’s Mallet’ on TV or dancing to Mallett’s Cover of “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” or more recently in 2008 TV’s ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’


    Rooftops By The Castle – Original by Timmy Mallet

    Timmy’s love of art runs very deep & a little known fact is that he studied History of Art, as part of his ‘History’ degree, when attending the prestigious Warwick University (U.K). Mallet has always painted but surprising it was only in recent years that he has decided to ‘put his artwork out there’ & the results, as you can see are pretty extraordinary; Showing a depth of artistic talent not normally associated with zany TV characters! Timmy Mallett’s recognition as an artist is growing rapidly.


    Shoreline Sunset by Timmy Mallett

    He is also good friends with fellow artist & TV personality Rolf Harris (now an accomplished published artist of some 7 years) and many say they have similar style. Mallett has painted many famous faces including Sir Clive Woodward, Ulrika Jonsson and Jim Rosenthal during Queen Elisabeth’s Golden Jubilee.


    Tower Bridge by Timmy Mallett

    For 2010, Timmy has released some new pieces which are refreshing and his use of colours intriguing. Don’t be too quick to judge Timmy before studying his artwork carefully. Although his celebrity name might get bums on seats, or bums into galleries!, this is no celebrity cash-in but a serious artist whose talents should be appreciated.

    Thanks for reading

    James

    links:
    Timmy’s first Scottish Exhibition in 2008
    Official Wacaday website
    Surrey Herald Article on Timmy’s artwork

  • Spongebob Squarepants – I could do better than that!

    SpongeBob SquarePants & Patirck Star

    I’ve always been a big fan of modern cartoons and animated series. I just love the artwork of the shows. But the question I have for you is, do you think you could draw better cartoon characters?

    Most people I speak to say to me “I could do better than that!, it’s easy to draw cartoons” but thinking about it, I really don’t buy into this. I think people answer like that for 2 reasons:

    (1) ‘The cartoon’s jokes are often very childish and unsophisticated’ – rocks falling on heads, eyes bulging out when a character is surprised lol, so a person thinks…this is childish and so the Artwork itself is childish and I could easily do better…Not so!

    Southpark characters: Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman & Kenny McCormick

    (2) ‘Most of it is done with computer animation, the computer does all the work!’ Yes there is case for this, that lots of cartoons are done with computers, such as Southpark or the Simpson’s movie used computers at certain points etc…But…

    Mr. Garrison & friend from Southpark

    …you are forgetting that the hard part is the initial design of the characters and how each setting or character complements the next one. (So simplistic a task you may think?) It is the intricacy and the nuances of the drawings where the genius lies…A whole lot of thought went into getting Homer Simpson looking right with his 2 strings of hair or the grey parts of his face to show him unshaven or getting Cartman to look like he’s typical outraged self; Colours & colour combinations, shapes, tones…I suspect the creators spent months if not years slowly building up each character and each setting: Mo’s Tavern, South Park Elementary…

    Who’d have thought a family of yellow coloured people would ever be a hit?…on paper that doesn’t work does it? then u haven’t seen The Simpsons!

    The Simpsons: Marge, Maggie, Homer, Bart & Lisa

    Who’d have thought a bunch of really simplistic drawings of characters with basic backgrounds…badly animated by computer would work? Then you don’t watch Southpark!

    Of course the shows are brilliantly written and are laugh out loud funny, but the thing that makes it work is the design, the original drawings that all subsequent shows are based on, which give the shows their unique ‘Feel,’ there own little cartoon universe.

    I can tell you something for free, id love to live in Springfield! :0)

    thank you

    Russell