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John Williams uses traditional oil paint and canvas to accomplish his detailed depictions of people and still lifes. Portraiture is his speciality.
He graduated in graphic arts from the University of Illinois, USA, and as he lives permanently in London continued his studies at both Putney and Heatherly's schools of Fine Art.
Since 2010, his paintings have been repeatedly accepted in juried competitions and open exhibitions including the Royal Society of Portrait Painters annual exhibition. In 2012 he was awarded the grand prize during the Celebration of Sport Show at The Bermondsey Project Space in London.
In 2013 he was awarded first prize for his portraiture at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists bi-annual portrait prize.
Nicola Kallinsky director of The Barber Institute of Fine Arts and judge states, “It’s not just a matter of the unsettling photorealism (not that there is any ‘just’ about this extraordinary level of technique), there is also a pleasing and playful aesthetic of colour and form and a balance of detail and absence across the canvas.”
His portrait of art historian, critic and writer, Edward Lucie-Smith was selected in 2014 from a record-breaking 2,377 entries to be included in the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery in London, a most prestigious international portrait painting competition.
In the 2015 edition of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Portrait Prize, a highly commended award was given for his portrait "Winter", and in 2016 he was newly elected as an associate member of the Society.
Recently in 2017 Johns work has been selected for the Artists and Illustrators Magazine Artists of the Year exhibition and was awarded the Art Academy Award. His portrait of Michael Harding, producer of handmade artists oil colours has been selected to show with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition.
Further Training
2010-2013
Portrait painting atelier specializing in detailed paintings lead by Edward Sutcliffe
2005-2011
Putney School of Art London
2008-2009
Heatherly's School of Fine Art London
Formal Training
1983-1987
University of Illinois USA, School of Fine and Applied Arts, BA degree graphic design
He graduated in graphic arts from the University of Illinois, USA, and as he lives permanently in London continued his studies at both Putney and Heatherly's schools of Fine Art.
Since 2010, his paintings have been repeatedly accepted in juried competitions and open exhibitions including the Royal Society of Portrait Painters annual exhibition. In 2012 he was awarded the grand prize during the Celebration of Sport Show at The Bermondsey Project Space in London.
In 2013 he was awarded first prize for his portraiture at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists bi-annual portrait prize.
Nicola Kallinsky director of The Barber Institute of Fine Arts and judge states, “It’s not just a matter of the unsettling photorealism (not that there is any ‘just’ about this extraordinary level of technique), there is also a pleasing and playful aesthetic of colour and form and a balance of detail and absence across the canvas.”
His portrait of art historian, critic and writer, Edward Lucie-Smith was selected in 2014 from a record-breaking 2,377 entries to be included in the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery in London, a most prestigious international portrait painting competition.
In the 2015 edition of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Portrait Prize, a highly commended award was given for his portrait "Winter", and in 2016 he was newly elected as an associate member of the Society.
Recently in 2017 Johns work has been selected for the Artists and Illustrators Magazine Artists of the Year exhibition and was awarded the Art Academy Award. His portrait of Michael Harding, producer of handmade artists oil colours has been selected to show with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition.
Further Training
2010-2013
Portrait painting atelier specializing in detailed paintings lead by Edward Sutcliffe
2005-2011
Putney School of Art London
2008-2009
Heatherly's School of Fine Art London
Formal Training
1983-1987
University of Illinois USA, School of Fine and Applied Arts, BA degree graphic design
