Craft Scholar
Cheshire portrait painter and landscape painter, Will Kemp has been awarded a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship to develop skills in traditional 17th century painting techniques.
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) was endowed by the Royal Warrant Holders Association to advance education in modern and traditional crafts and trades in the UK. Scholarships of up to £15,000 are open to men and women of all ages and are awarded twice a year.
Will (32) co-founded an independent studio and art gallery in Congleton Cheshire five years ago, providing him a base to exhibit his work and from where he paints private portrait commissions. He has taught drawing and painting for the past ten years and has taken sabbaticals with the Tate Modern, London, to understand and develop his own adult education skills. "It is uplifting to see how good tuition and sound traditional principles can transform amateur "Sunday painters" to confident, expressive artists," enthused Will. " I am very passionate about education and am determined to develop an accessible series of tutorials and workshops using new technology."
Winning a QEST Scholarship will enable Will to study in Florence with Michael John Angel, who is regarded as one of the foremost figurative painters and attend a second course at the Sarum Studios in Wiltshire with Nicholas Beer, with a specific focus on sight-size portraiture.
Will Kemp receives his scholarship from the Duchess of Northumberland 1st June 2010.
Photo: John Stone
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust: www.qest.org.uk
Royal Warrant Holders Association: www.royalwarrant.org
Angel Art Academy: www.angelartschool.com
Sarum Studios: www.sarumstudio.com