Robin Mackervoy ROI (1933 – 2024)
Born in Hampshire in October, 1933, Robin started painting at an early age, and at school it soon became obvious that art was the most important subject to him. Even when young, working from life and especially outdoors was central to him learning his craft.
On his return to civilian life after National Service Robin went back to education, gaining ‘A’ Levels in Painting and History of Art as a mature student at East Hertfordshire College. In time, Robin helped to form an Art Society in his local area.
Robin generally preferred to work from life, but for works produced in the studio he used the back-up of photographs to add to the information that his preparatory sketches provided. Initial sketches were generally carried out in a different medium from the final piece and he used a pochade box for sketches in oil or heat-set oil colour. Robin’s preference was for preparatory sketches in pencil, pen or watercolour and he liked to use oil or acrylic for the final pieces. When painting directly from the subject he liked to work on the whole surface together, refraining from ‘drawing-in’ until the base coat was complete. In addition to canvas Robin also used panels which he felt added to the variety of surface, texture and size.
Robin described his working methods:
‘My first consideration is for composition, to place the subject comfortably within a scene, using varying tones to promote its importance. I then use the surrounding space to draw attention to and emphasise the main subject through variations in colour, tone, texture and line’.
Robin had over twenty years of commercial experience with art materials and was a lecturer for Hertford Regional College from 1987 to 1998. His teaching experience included painting holidays, having tutored with Artscape (previously known as Galleon) in various locations.
Robin was elected a member of the Wapping Group of Artists in 1992 and was President of the Group from 2012 to 2017. He was President of the Lea Valley Art Society, a member of Chelsea and Hertford Art Societies and Past President and Trustee of the London Sketch Club. For many years he demonstrated painting in all mediums to Art Societies throughout the home counties and East Anglia. He was also called upon by the manufacturers of Rembrandt products, of Liquitex Acrylics and of Genesis Heat Set Oils among others, to demonstrate using their products. He also wrote articles for The Leisure Painter and Artist and Illustrator magazines.
Robin was elected as an associate member of the ROI in 2006 and to full membership in November 2008. He exhibited each year from 1997 to 2022 and was awarded the Stanley Grimm prize at the ROI exhibition of 1999.
