About the artist.

Jim Ludden is a British painter who is attracted by the loose, spontaneous effect of translucent watercolour and has chosen to work exclusively in this elusive medium.  He has travelled widely and has lived in North America and Continental Europe. He comes from a background in graphic design, and this influence can be found in his work in terms of design, layout and composition. This experience is what brings ‘tension’ and structure to his paintings.

His practice is to make studies of the subject, to plan its composition and focal points, and make sketches of possible variants, and then, when confirmed in his intention, to paint the finish work with a confident stroke and without hesitation.

He achieves his look with a combination of blending, dry-brush strokes, lost-and-found edges, and wet-in-wet washes.

Painting reflects our inner selves; he is not one who dwells on detail, preferring always to go immediately for the broader view. He is not comfortable with precise work. He would describe himself as contemplative by nature, but spontaneous by temperament. Looseness comes as a point of view, not just as a technique.  He is aware that a good painting must contain finer perceptions and instincts of a poetic nature and that technique alone is not enough. His aim is to seek beauty in the light, in nature and in the common place.