Richard Spare studied painting at Maidstone College of Art from 1971 until 1974.
A regular exhibitor at the RA Summer exhibition, Richard has undertaken many notable projects with David Hockney, Robert Ryman, Francesco Clemente, Donald Sultan and Keith Haring to name but a few. In 1977 he worked with Hockney as his assistant, building an etching studio for him.
Today, Richard concentrates solely on his own work. Most of his paintings derive from his travels or from aspects of domestic life such as objects he enjoys having around him. The garden he has designed at his studio in Charlton is a rich source of inspiration. Filled with hollyhocks, foxgloves, poppies and wisteria, it is a small haven for wildlife and has been a starting point for many of his prints.
Each single print takes considerable time to produce. Aside from the time taken drawing the image – the plate must be re-inked and hand-wiped for each print made. The plates are printed on Richard’s antique etching presses – the technique having changed very little since Rembrandt’s day. The press is turned by hand then the damp paper is peeled off the plate to reveal an image which is thus unique. The print is then dried for eight hours under weights and finally hand-coloured, giving another dimension of uniqueness – an application of watercolour painting which works with the drypoint line.
Richard says of his work “I enjoy the almost sculptural quality involved in working a plate and particularly like the rich, velvety quality of line produced by drypoint, which in combination with vibrant colour, I use for my prints.”
The velvety quality of his work is achieved by using a drypoint etching technique with the inspiration for the vibrant colours coming from his travels to India and Nepal.
Richard has exhibited widely both in the UK and abroad. Most recently his work has appeared in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
