Colley Whisson is a modern impressionist painter and sought after tutor with a love of painting the light and its effect on the chosen subject.

Colley was born in Brisbane, Australia on the 6th May, 1966. He is a third generation artist carrying the Whisson name. After doing a year of picture framing he began oil painting in 1986.

When painting Colley aims for a realist image with much artistic content, paying close attention to the arrangement of each painting to maximise the visual image.

With 25 solo exhibitions and many joint exhibitions, prizes, judging appointments to his credit. His teaching skills are in demand throughout Australia and in overseas locations. He is the author of many magazine articles with "Australian and International Artist" publications over the years and his first book "Creating Impressionist Landscapes in Oil" in 2001 followed by a demonstration Video/DVD which was released in 2003 to great acclaim.

Colley's second book - Impressionist Painting Made Easy and demonstration DVD was released in early 2009. Colley continues to build his reputation on the International stage and exhibits in galleries abroad. Colley has a genuine love of music and uses this to influence his working day.

Artist Statement

"I have always felt I was a painter of light, but now believe if my paintings are to succeed I also need to be a good painter of shadow.

When I am on my travels searching for painting subjects, the signal that tells me I have discovered something worthwhile is when I am so captivated by the scene that recording my response to it is more important than anything else. At that moment, nothing else matters. But it doesn't have to be a direct response to the landscape that captivates and inspires me. It can be anything. It can be music playing in the studio. When I listen to music in my studio I believe it propels me to a higher level. Love in whatever form can be an enchanted moment that helps me when I paint. It might be remembering the first time I saw my wife's face in the crowd or the smile on my young sons' faces it can be an innocent or everyday thing that lifts my work to another level.

Once you understand how your mind works you will see that there is more to painting than making a straightforward technical response. Better paintings begin when you are totally captivated by the subject."

My commitment to a traditional approach

Even though I paint in a traditional style and have enormous respect for the great masters of the past I have a strong urge to paint in a fresh modern manner. I aim to keep away from tired old subjects painted only because ego or lack of foresight does not allow me to see the big picture.

In an ever changing world I believe my subject matter, colour skills and technical handling of a painting needs to be accurate giving the end result a hint of the future and not just an appreciation of the past.

Visit Colley Whisson's Website

Join Colley Whisson at Bondi Road Art School

Saturday, 15th August - Landscapes or Sunday, 16th August - Sydney Scene

In these workshop students will be learning techniques so they can produce works that are bold, confident, using paint mixes that are clean and vivid in colours. From the arrangement of the palette to the final touch he will reveal the making of skilfully handled paintings filled with sunlight.

These workshop will inspire you to take your artwork to another level. Your powers of observation will be enhanced with the confident use of contrasting brushwork and tonal values. Better paintings begin when you are captivated by the subject.

To enrol visit Bondi Road Art School

Or phone: 02 9387 2461