Charles was formally trained and has a fine Art Diploma. He was mentored by the late Alan McIntyre one of Tasmania’s pre-eminent artists of his time. And was soon recognised as a quality draughtsman and a good portrait painter, being regularly sought after for commissions, completely from sittings, without aide–mémoire photography.

Charles has unfinished business in the fine art world. A re-emerging artist so to speak, after a successful commercial art career.

 

Commercial art enhances studios skills and capabilities. Hand to eye skills had to be refocused through rigour and discipline. And now he believes has made him a better artist.

 

Charles favours realism and painting in a complimentary classical style. He uses chiaroscuro and sfumato techniques that Da Vinci made famous. And his layering and glazing techniques which help to create both depth and transparency to his artwork. It is a laborious and time consuming process that is always rewarded by the end result. The last few layers or passes as he calls them can be pure bliss.

 

The result is a subtle but visible difference to the prosaic opaque paint applied on wet paint to achieve depth and using viewing distance to gain transparency.

 

He became fascinated with Australia’s ‘Gold Rush’ and how it shaped Australia economically and culturally. From 1851-1861 ‘the golden triangle’ area of Victoria alone, produced some of the world’s most iconic nuggets​.

 

Charles was a Finalist in the Sulman Art Prize 2022 with his painting- 'Hand Of Faith' the first of the Gold Rush Collection.

 

He is available for commissions on any subject matter.