My name is Les Darlow and I am an artist, Illustrator and designer.
My specialist area is Soft Pastels although I paint watercolours, oils and acrylics. I was born in Blackpool in 1961. Although being trained as a technical Illustrator, I have now managed to free myself of the technical preciseness of a photo realistic painting and paint free and expressive, creating paintings that are based on feelings and moods.
I have a love and passion for landscapes and most of my paintings are subjects that are close and dear to me. I think that one can paint the same scene over and over again as light and weather change the subject every minute that passes.
I love painting skies and i think they are the key to a great landscape. I have a fascination for storms and extreme weather, whether that is a sunrise at -20 degrees in winter, a stunning sunset or a growing supercell in the height of summer, these are the key elements to my painting.
I work very quickly trying to capture these weather phenomena, usually no more than 50 – 80 minutes. I feel this speed of free painting helps capture the movement within a landscape.
Mr WordPress
Welcome to my new website, This will be updated with new paintings and exciting Live paint projects within the next few days, please bear with me.
Ken
I am absolutely stoked at having found your site. Your work is amazing.
Lesdarlow
thanks so much
Edward
I had a great time at your art class at the Grosvenor garden centre even though I was a beginner. You taught me a lot and filled me with lots of enthusiasm. I have now bought myself pastels and paper. Let me know, please, when you plan to hold another class locally.
Dave
Will you be attending Patching in 2018,Les?
Les Darlow
Yes definitely this year
David McGuire
Good morning Led
My name is David McGuire and I am the new programme secretary of Walsall Society of Artists.
I would like to invite you to demonstrate in the 2019 season, if you are interested. My number is 01922 412338. Regards, David
Frances
Hi Les,
Recently purchased your new book via your website .
Could you let me know when it is likely to arrive in Spain .
Many Thanks
Frances
Ps miss your classes x
LESLIE J BERRY
have tried to contact you on lesdarlow@sky.com with no joy. perhaps you could email me
francisco m rodriguez
Mr. Darlow, I just found you on youtube and you are nothing short of amazing. I believe I watched every one of your videos and you are now my favorite artist. I live in the USA and would love to learn your technique. I’m a little confused about the courses you have to offer. please help me out. what would charge for all you have to offer in one package or do you suggest I start with a package of a video and book and later purchase others in whatever order you think appropriate. Ido a lot of pencil portraiture some watercolor but no landscape. The sky above the nearby lake is amazing and I’ve seen so many that look like your paintings that I have wanted to paint but didn’t know how . now I think I can . Please email me soon so I can make the purchase Thank you. Sincerely.
Francisco Rodriguez
Les Darlow
thank you for your kind words
I now do zoom workshops where people can sign in from anywhere in the world.
Stay safe out there, all the best Les
Maureen Andrews
I have discovered your Youtube demonstration painting skies with Unison and knew it could it very helpful as an amateur artist who had abandoned pastels for a few years due to health issues and age, but the Lockdown inspired me to take it up again. We had a holiday in Sidmouth, Devon last October and some of my photos after a storm have inspired me but I had lost the technique and your demo on skies has totally motivated me, thank you. Fortunately I managed some en plein air watercolours at the time and these with the photos, proved useful reference material. I have been using Pastelmat surface and found it quite testing and a bit hard on the fingers, and wondered which surface you use? I have been a fan of Unison for many years and have to confess many years ago had a few of my paintings accepted in the Mixed media exhibition at the Birmingham Art Gallery But now in my early 80s and determined to see what I can still achieve, determined not to give up after seeing your gallery..
Les Darlow
Hi Maureen, i use Canson mi teintes and pastelmat and canson touch keep painting. i admire your determination