Alastair Adams

Alastair initially trained as an illustrator through which he developed his interest in figurative and portrait painting. In the years since he has established a strong reputation as a commissioned portrait artist, his dynamic but natural and unassuming portraits earning him many high profile commissions and acclaim through national and international exhibitions.

After becoming a member of the RP in 2002 Alastair became Hon Treasurer 2005. In 2008 was made President. In this capacity he hopes to continue to build upon the Societies history and strong reputation as a source for high quality, original and inventive world leading commissioned portraiture. He also aims to promote a higher level of debate around the application and interpretation of portraiture, whilst providing a platform for the encouragement and support of contemporary figure and portrait based work, produced as part of an incisive, observationally centred, drawing and painting language.

Alastair holds a research based lecturing position at Loughborough University and has published papers on commissioned portraiture and the application of life drawing within a modern educational context. He is also Chair of the University’s Drawing Research Group.
  

“I prefer natural, unassuming portraits- more human if you like - rather than posed or contrived. I try to capture and reflect the nature of a person or the relationship between individuals and the viewer, a likeness is just the starting point. As every person is unique, so are my portraits.”
  

• The Changing Faces Prize, Royal Society of Portrait Painters.
• Three times winner of the Daler/Rowney Award for Best British Painting, National Acrylic Painters Association Annual Open Exhibition
• First prize Maurice Cargill Award,Stockport Annual Open Exhibition.
• Spectrum Paint Award, National Acrylic Painters Association Annual Open Exhibition
• First Prize winner, Drumcroon Annual Open exhibition, Drumcroon, Wigan
• Double prize winner in the Bolton Annual Open exhibition, Bolton.
• Forsline and Starr Award, National Acrylic Painters Association Annual Open Exhibition.
    
  

• Body of Art, Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Centre, Cincinatti, Ohio.
• Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mall Galleries, London
• National Portrait Gallery, London
• ArtLondon, Duke of Yorks Barracks, London
• “Portraits and Life”, Solo Exhibition, Liverpool University
• Manchester Academy Annual Open Exhibition
• Discerning Eye Exhibition, Mall Galleries
• Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Mall Galleries
    

• Non Verbal communication in Commissioned Portraiture, International Journal of the Arts in Society
• Manchester Academy; The Story So Far
• The Art of Drawing and Painting
• Portrait Painting in Oils, by Jenny Rodwell
• Landscape Drawing and Painting, by Patricia Monahan
• Collins Art Class
• Figure and Portrait, Betsy Hosegood
• Feature in "The Artist" June 2003
• Feature in "The Artist" May 2002
• Feature in "Lancashire Life" June 2000
• Feature in "The Artist and Illustrator" Jan 2000
• Feature in "The Artist" April 1999
  

• Institute of Advanced Legal Studies: Prof. T. Daintith
• Institute of Advanced Legal Studies: Prof. Barry Rider
• Institute of Advanced Legal Studies: Lord Nolan, Lord Scarman, Lord Woolf and Sir William Dale.
• Joint Services Defence College: Rear Admiral Nick Wilkinson
• King Williams College, IOM: Mr Dursley Stott, OBE
• St. Hugh's College, Oxford: Principal Derek Wood, CBE
• Liverpool University: Vice Chancellor Philip Love, CBE
• Liverpool Hope University: Chief Executive Simon Lee
• Manchester Metropolitan University: Vice Chancellor, Dame Sandra Burslem
• Nottingham University: Vice Chancellor Sir Colin Campbell
• University of Wales College of Medicine: Vice Chancellor Steve Tomlinson
• Shrewsbury School: Headmaster Ted Maidment
• Westwood High School: Headteacher George Wiskin
• Lord Woolf and Family
• Capt. Robert Guy
• Capt. Bruce Snelling
• The Green Howards: Capt. John Powell
• General Dental Council: President Hew Matthewson
• Fritz and Ingrid Spiegl
• Tom and Dominie Newton Dunn
• John Timpson

Email this artist: alastairadams@therp.co.uk