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IAN SIMMONS
Freelance Illustrator
Graphic Designer
Ian Simmons is the first Illustrator / Graphic Designer to secure a gallery page within Artcymru.co.uk. This is a new initiative, on our part, to provide a means of promoting all forms of professional art within Wales.
Born in Bristol in 1964 Ian moved to Swansea in 1974 and has made his home in an area which he finds 'inspiring'.
On leaving school he attended a one-year foundation course in Art & Design before enrolling on the West Glamorgan Institute four year Technical Illustration and Graphic Design Course.
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"Dizzy" © Ian Simmons
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Illustration of Swansea Grand Theatre © Ian Simmons
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Ian Simmons has worked as a graphic designer on many publications and magazines and had many cartoons published in various national media.
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Ian worked for a number of design agencies before leaving to follow his other passion - music.
He never stopped painting, however, and worked continually on a commission basis
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"Woodland"
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"Industrial Museum"
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Some of the images displayed within this page are for sale and prints are also available from the artist. See the bottom of the page for contact details.
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Ian Simmons is experienced in all styles and techniques from cartoon / caricature line drawings to oils, acrylics and every medium between.
He particularly enjoys painting portraits and has perfected a technique of painting on top of ink washes, as seen in the image to the right. A tonal image is built up using increasingly darker washes, with corresponding tones masked off, from highlights through to shadows. The masking fluid is then washed away and the detail is painted with gouache or acrylics. This leads to many 'happy accidents' reminiscent of watercolour painting, it also gives the paintings a movement and vitality that adds to the overall effect of the work. As you can see, Ian combines his love of painting and music. Musicians are a favourite subject matter and a large range of these images are included within his portfolio.
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"I feel that music and painting are very similar in that they both provoke an immediate reaction from an audience, good or bad. Someone will know whether they like a certain piece of art or music but will not always be able to explain why, it will just strike a chord with them on an almost subliminal level."
Ian Simmons 2002
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"Pat Metheny"
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To contact Ian Simmons for commissions or other enquiries please use the following email addresses:
Tel:
or you can reach him through Artcymru.co.uk at:
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"Alan Shearer"
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All images herein are the copyright of Ian Simmons 2002 - Click on the banner below to link to Ian Simmons web site...
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I
AN SIMMONS
