Rob Ellis

I started painting and drawing in 2018 but before that had just done a bit of art at school (circa 1960).

I paint with watercolour and limit myself to 8 transparent pigments, namely PY129, PY150, PO107, PV19, PV55, PB15:1, PG7 and PBk31.  I currently – 2025 – paint on Arches HP 640g/sm (i.e. smooth heavyweight bright white) paper.   I use Chinese calligraphy brushes, small synthetic acrylic brushes (for dry-brush work) and pens dipped in mixed watercolour paint.  Using thick paper allows me to scrub or sandpaper away any bits I don’t like and try again.  I don’t use oils, acrylics or gouache (all of which are opaque media).

For drawing I use graphite, coloured pencils and fine-liners (fine ink pens).

I’ve never had formal training in art but have always been interested and have a reasonably broad knowledge of painting/drawing/print-making methods and colour-theory etc.

I see “art” as a technical challenge and will work painstakingly until I’m satisfied with the result.  Latterly I have drawn and painted a lot of portraits – which can be very challenging – but am also happy with anything that I find technically interesting be that landscapes, interiors, pets, buildings etc –  see my Instagram posts.

In my working life I taught English around the world and then became a furniture restorer and french polisher in the 1990s and have also designed and made a number of acoustic guitars.   A workshop at the end of the garden allowed me to be at home in the first years of this century when our children were young enough to need a parent on hand –  while my wife brought in a salary.

Instagram @rob_in_cottenham.