Meet the artist - Francis Bowyer
Born in London. Studied at St. Martins School of Art and Chelsea School of Art in London. He has taught drawing and painting part time at all levels up to post-graduate and until recently, taught at the Royal Academy Schools.
Elected an associate to the Royal Watercolour Society in 1986, became a full member in 1991 and served as President of the Society 2000-03. He was elected to the New English Art Club in 1992.
Exhibits regularly at the Royal Watercolour Society, the New English Art Club and with the Small Paintings Group. Featured artist at the R.W.S. in 1991. Awards include W.H.Patterson Fine Arts Award. The Arts Club Prize at the 226th Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Francis has been an invited artist to the Discerning Eye Exhibition.
Invited by REME to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan as a War Artist, 2013. He won the Turner Award for a picture of Camp Bastion in 2014.
Collections: RWS Diploma Collection, St Cuthberts Paper Mill, National Grid plc, London Federation of Clubs for Young People.
His work is held in the Royal Collection and H.R.H. The Prince of Wales Collection. He lives in West London.
His paintings of the children on the beach at Walberswick, Suffolk and interiors of Parisian restaurants, and more recently his atmospheric studies of his studio interior create a lively vibrancy that has enchanted the public and buyers at each exhibition.
Francis at work in his London studio.
Francis featured on…
Francis talking about listening to the radio whilst he works.
“I listen to The World at One which gives me all the news, current affairs, that I need for the day.”
Francis interviewed for the Love Drawing podcast talking about what role life drawing can play in any artist’s skill set and much more.
Francis talks about painting at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan in 2013 and shares his three top tips for painting in the heat!
Francis featured alongside Royal Watercolour Society artists in 2011 as part of ‘A Year in The Life of the Royal Albert Hall’ exhibition. Click to view catalogue.
Francis presented his ‘The Spirit of Places’ one-man show in 2013-14 at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
Francis talks about how to work with watercolour paper and testing the special RWS paper in partnership with Jackson’s Art.
“The former President of the Royal Watercolour Society, Francis Bowyer P.P.R.W.S., N.E.A.C. explains the rationale which lay behind the testing process”