Whilst the challenge of life-drawing fascinates Derek, he is attracted above all to the human face, with its infinite variety, its emotions and its stories. Inevitably, when he moved into portraiture he learned that not everyone admires their own face, or his interpretation of it! On the other hand, people enjoy looking closely at the faces of others. An exhibition of his portraits at the Peter Pears Gallery in Aldeburgh, shared with long-term friend and fellow artist Peter Polaine, drew many positive comments as well as further commissions for them both. Today he continues to undertake portrait commissions by request. His portraits are available as a small book (£20 inc.p&p)
Painter-printmaker Gareth Jones 1944-2021
Zac Polaine
Kenny Boden,musician and anti-apartheid campaigner,
charcoal and watercolour, 40 x 33 cms
Latest work, Bill Crow, ex-adman, art historian, oil, 36 x 30 cms
Self-portrait, oil on canvas, 60 x 45 cms
Chinwe Chukwego-Roy, painter and print-maker,
Acrylic on board, 30 x 25 cms