William Neill
I have been painting the landscape and wildlife of the Uists since moving to the Hebrides in August 1980. The islands provide endless subject matter for me as both an artist and a naturalist and I have found that work in one discipline has benefits for work in the other. Perhaps surveying a habitat I see a possibility for a painting or whilst sitting painting I notice some new plant or insect.
Very early I decided that for me the most appropriate medium for the Hebrides is watercolour. This was a new experience for me as I had worked in oils during my time at Art College in the 60s, but even then I was not keen on impasto and used oils thinly almost like watercolour or ink. I have now added larger scale work in acrylics which I use in the same way.
As an elected member of the Society of Wildlife Artists I exhibit annually at the Mall Galleries in London. The Studio Gallery in Askernish is open throughout the year and I am always interested to hear what visitors’ impressions of the island are and what wildlife they have seen, but I do spend much of my time outdoors so please phone beforehand if you wish to make sure that the gallery is open.