I began working as a professional commercial artist after leaving College in 1981, specialising in photo retouching. This was long before computers took over and I was trained to paint on the actual photograph! I learned a great deal about colour matching and photo realist technique during this time.
 
I was probably one of the last "manual" retouchers of photos before computers came along. I then became an illustrator, specialising in fantasy airbrush illustrations. These took the form of computer game and magazine covers, which were mainly sword and sorcery imagery.

At the same time Iwas studying the different painting techniques of the old masters, my favourites being Da Vinci, Titian, Rembrandt, Poussin, Reynolds, Turner and Constable. In order to discover as much as possible about their techniques I would painstakingly copy selected paintings, some of them taking as long as eight months to complete.

My constant love throughout has been to study and learn from the old masters, much though of what they knew has sadly been lost. But if one digs deep enough as I have, then it is possible to re-discover some of their techniques and secrets! In the end though, I have found that there was no magic formula that made the old masters so good, it all boils down to just their incredible knowledge of their materials, their skill and craftsmanship.

I constantly strive to improve my art with each passing day. It is a love affair that I have with art and from which I can never be separated.

I joined the publishing company of Washington Green in 1995 and have around forty limited edition prints released through them.

In 1998 I was given the "Best new published artist" award by the Fine Art Trade Guild UK.

In 2002 I joined the prestigious publisher of fine art, Solomon & Whitehead, with whom I have about a dozen Limited Edition Prints out at the moment and many more "on the way".

I also now produce my own self published “Giclee” prints, some of which can be found here on my web site.

In Early 2003 I had the honour and pleasure of painting the two black Labradors belonging to His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent. He was delighted with the painting, which now hangs in his country house in Gloucester. I found him to be most pleasant and talkative as we strolled together on his croquet lawn, playing with the two labs. A fortunate experience I shall never forget.

Later on in 2003 I also presented the Chairman of the Kennel Club (UK) with a painting on their stand at the Crufts dog show. I was overjoyed to discover that my painting now hangs in their prestigious gallery in London, alongside such great artists as Sir Edwin Landseer, Maud Earl, Arthur Wardle, etc.  I think I am correct in saying that I am the only living artist to have work hanging there. I can honestly say how very proud I am of this and I feel extremely humbled by it.

I now only paint with oils on canvas or panel, in the traditional manner as used by the ancients. I use the highest quality hand ground oil paints and the finest linen canvas, some of these being made up for me by a specialist company in London.

In order to achieve the effects that the ancients obtained, it is vital to use pure pigment oil paints. Nothing less will do.

By going about my materials in this manner, my paintings should last as long as the old masters. My paintings are viewed by many of my collectors as not just a nice image to hang on the wall, but as an heirloom. Something to be handed down through the family as the generations pass by. Just as it used to be (and should be).

Though most of my professional career has been associated with depicting gundogs and working dogs, I also enjoy painting many different subjects, such as Equestrian, sporting, Landscape, Fantasy, figurative and traditional portraiture. I enjoy every subject that I paint, as each one is a new challenge. I have always felt that a true artist should be able to paint anything and not just be “labelled” as either a “dog artist” or a “horse artist” etc.

I am just starting to do some more figurative portraiture again. I used to paint these many years ago and feel that it is now time to become involved with them again as I enjoy painting them so very much. There is so much more that a painting can say about a person’s personality than a photograph ever will. Plus my paintings will last for very many generations!

I have been painting now for over forty years and I must say that I have enjoyed every minute of it. I will never retire, I don’t thinks artists do? It is something that one just keeps doing until the very end (God willing).

Lastly, may I say that it will always give me the utmost joy and elation if one of my paintings were to give some small pleasure, to someone, somewhere, sometime. That has always been my aspiration.

My paintings are in private collections throughout the world and I must give a huge thank you to all my collectors. Without you, my work would be of no significance. I thank you deeply for your generosity and support through the years.

I hope you enjoy the images here on my web site and perhaps maybe you might even wish to purchase a print or original? I am also available to do commissions if required.

John Silver (BA Hons)