David Innis – Knitting

David Innis attended St. Martins Art College and went on to study painting at the Royal College of Art from 1960-63. Upon graduation, he received a silver medal for work of special distinction and won further prizes for life painting and life drawing. In painting Innis employed the same technique that was being used by his (slightly older) contemporaries: Leon Kossoff and Frank Auerbach who also studied at St Martins before moving to the R.C.A. Auerbach-b.1931 - student St. Martins 1948-52. - R.C.A.-1952-55. Kossoff-b.1926 - student St. Martins 1943/1949-53. - R.C.A.-1953-56. Innis-b.1936 - student St. Martins 1956?-60. - R.C.A.-1960-63. Innis is an excellent draftsman and his painting techniques are equal to those of Kossoff and Auerbach. Auerbach and Kossoff had left St. Martins before Innis had started at the art school but the influence of these two now-famous artists is all too apparent. His technique compares favourably with the two protegees although one could argue that his style is more traditional. To appreciate his working methods and his style first you have to stand close and admire the way he has applied the paint using a pallet-knife with a rich mix of colours to form an image that becomes more recognizable as you stand back. The clever part is that the image doesn't lack tone or perspective. When you stand back and look at his pictures they come to life and are a real pleasure to look at. Between 1965 and 1990 Innis exhibited a total of 58 pictures at the Royal Academy. From 1965-1969 he was living at Borough Green, near Sevenoaks before moving briefly to Deal in Kent. From 1971 his address is for Alkham, near Dover. Artist friend; John Sergeant (1937-2010) said of Innis: he was gifted shy and private, and that he had no desire to promote his own work. If by chance enough work to hold an exhibition were discovered then a better recognition of his talents would certainly follow. Published prices for Innis's work at the R.A. summer shows: 1985 £120 Park: Dark Tree 1985 £250 Park: Raincloud - Oil, and chalk 1986 £230 Sunlit Lane 1986 £380 Park Trees 1987 £520 Summer Clouds 1987 £480 Park Trees 1988 £650 Roses 1988 £560 Lane 1989 £850 Park Terrace 1989 £800 Park Trees Staff present during the time Innis was a student at the R.C.A. Professor: Carel Weight Senior Tutor: Roger de Grey Tutors: Sandra Blow, Robert Buhler, R J Burn, Mary Fedden, D Hamilton Fraser, Colin Hayes, Leonard Rosoman, Ruskin Spear