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Darren BakerBritish artist
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Yorkshire Artist Paints Her Majesty's Portrait
- The Medium and the Muse
- How would you describe your signature style?
- The Challenges of Portraiture
- The Royal Connection
- What are your impressions of the Queen?
- The Cotswolds Studio and Creative Ethos
- Do you have a particular artistic credo?
- Future Aspirations
Yorkshire Artist Paints Her Majesty's Portrait
Darren Baker, a 32-year-old artist from Yorkshire, has achieved a dream come true: he has been commissioned to paint Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The significant event marks the pinnacle of his decade-long career, with the royal endorsement seemingly guaranteeing Baker's future success. His brush has previously served royal families in Bahrain and Dubai, and the likes of footballers Steven Gerrard and Teddy Sheringham have also been captured on canvas. Once fetching a mere £200, the starting price for Baker's photo-realistic paintings now stands at £12,000 – and given the interest from art promoters representing the likes of Jack Vettriano, six-figure sums may soon be the norm.
The Medium and the Muse
Why did you choose portraiture over other genres in painting – are oils your preferred medium?
"I simply feel that oils and pastels render detail to the best effect. I have tried watercolors, but they don't give you the same results. As for subject matter, I'm inspired by a plethora of things: the female form, cityscapes, and sporting events."
How would you describe your signature style?
"My paintings are distinguished by their photographic precision. I've achieved this high level of accuracy by studying the old masters over the past decade and experimenting with pastels in order to achieve a lifelike quality. I'm a perfectionist, and this is reflected in the level of detail I include in my work."
The Challenges of Portraiture
What's the most challenging aspect of being a portrait artist?"Capturing the character and soul of the subject in a way that is both flattering and truthful. I always feel a sense of obligation to make my subjects look their best, but I also want to maintain their true essence. My favorite artist, Rembrandt, excelled at conveying character on canvas."
"Another challenge is the interpersonal aspect of the job. As I deal with human subjects, I spend a significant amount of time building relationships, which can be demanding and distracting. But I do my own PR because I am so passionate about my work. I know my work inside and out, and therefore, I am the best person to sell it."
The Royal Connection
How did you first come to work with the royal family?"About ten years ago, I was commissioned by the trustees of the Prince's Trust to paint a portrait of His Royal Highness The Prince Charles. I worked from photographs and presented the portrait to the prince at St. James's Palace. It was well-received, and from there my career took off. It has been very satisfying to see the portrait used regularly at the Prince's Trust events, ensuring that it's not just tucked away in some dusty cupboard."
"People from the Football Association contacted me after the Prince's Trust saw my work. That led to painting portraits of prominent football personalities, including the official Footballer of the Year portrait. I have since had exhibitions in Japan, the States, and in London, and my profile has grown. Currently, I am painting Her Majesty. This commission came about quite by chance – I was working on some paintings of Windsor Castle, commissioned by a bank. My work was noticed, and I was recommended to Buckingham Palace."
What are your impressions of the Queen?
"We've had three sittings so far, and she has been absolutely wonderful. She's 85 years old, but she is so energetic and charming. We first met just after the recent royal wedding, so she was in good spirits – jolly and chatty. She seemed happy with my work."
"I must say that painting royalty has had a very positive impact on my work – there's more interest in collecting my paintings, and many want to secure a work before September 20th, when my prices are likely to rise!"
The Cotswolds Studio and Creative Ethos
Where is your studio located?"I moved from Yorkshire to the Cotswolds to be an hour's drive from London. I work in the studio every day unless I have commitments elsewhere. A typical day starts at half past seven, and I often work until midnight – but the time flies by when you have the radio on."
Do you have a particular artistic credo?
"I am striving to achieve what I understand as perfection, to paint a picture as well as it possibly can be painted, with the finest possible level of detail. That is my goal – perhaps it will one day become a new standard in painting. We live in an age of conceptual art, where the idea reigns supreme, and craftsmanship is less valued. I want to bring back respect for the traditions and standards of the old masters. I hope that when people see my work, they are inspired."
"I don't dismiss contemporary art, of course. I very much like the work of Jackson Pollock – it's innovative and well-executed. But there's a lot of poor-quality contemporary art out there. I prefer exhibitions at the National Gallery or the Royal Academy of Arts."
Future Aspirations
What's the next step in your career?"Having painted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, that was the ultimate goal. Now I plan to develop further as an artist. But I also want to help others through my art. That's why I am participating in an exhibition organized by Coutts Bank. All proceeds will go to charity. I would love to set up an academy to help emerging artists."
