News / Stunning wildlife drawings
Shetland naturalist Howard Towll is exhibiting a selection of his interpretation of the isles’ varied wildlife during an exhibition at the Da Gadderie, starting on Saturday.
Mr Howll started drawing and painting animals when working as an ecologist at Sumburgh Head, in the early 1990s.
The exhibition at the Shetland Museum and Archives is a distillation of hundreds of hours of direct observation, sketching and painting the wildlife of Shetland.
John Hunter, Shetland Museum and Archives exhibitions officer said that the quality of line and graphic drawing skill in Mr Towll’s work marked him out as one of Shetland’s main wildlife artists.
He added: “He manages to capture movement, bearing and character with what seems like minimal effort. But this simplicity and understatement of technique is gained from years of refining his drawing techniques as well as enriching his understanding of his subject matter.
“The importance he places on working in the field; observing from life, is perhaps best illustrated by his determination to paint outside in subzero conditions.
“Finding the jar of water freezing as he tried to paint he improvised by using vodka to dilute his paints and continued to work (‘Upper Loch of Brouster’ on show in the exhibition). This exhibition will appeal to a wide audience and has something for everyone.”
The exhibition runs from 31 July until 30 August. Mr Howll will also discuss his work during a talk on Sunday 29 August, starting at 3pm, at the auditorium of the museum.
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