Fine Art Magazine July 2018

The biggest challenge for Tom is controlling what canbeanunpredictablemedium. Finding an irresistible element to use in the collage can take a piece in unexpected directions; the style he has developed is an organic process and this is both exciting and daunting. One way in which he brings unity to the process is by using certain trademark techniques to bring a degree of consistency, but the other key consideration is perspective. He says: “I feel the immediate response to whether a scene has been successfully recreated is determined by an accurate perspective.” “Whilst I work quite often from photos to create my originals, I like to do a preliminary tonal sketch which helps to focus on things like perspective - it breaks down the elements of the composition into geometric shapes, light and dark areas and lines. A good sense of perspective gives a sense of order to the chaos.” LOW TIDE, ST IVES BAY, Embellished Paper Edition on Board, Edition of 195, 16” x 16” £365 SUMMER BY THE SEA TOM BUTLER 16