John Tookey

John works in all mediums and trys to capture the essence of the subject rather than a very topographical likeness. He will frequently work on-site or from sketches completed at the scene, the effects of light and atmosphere on a subject particularly interest him.
John Tookey was trained in Graphic Design and Fine Art at the Sir John Cass School of Art, London during the sixties when lecturers included David Graham, Edward Hall and Vivian Pitchforth.
John worked for many years as a graphic artist in several London advertising agencies before leaving in 1986 to take up painting full-time.
He has exhibited with the Royal Institute of Watercolorists; The Royal Oil Institute; The West of England Academy,The New English Art Club and the Pastel Society, of which he has been a member since 1982.
Publications include a series of illustrated regional travel books for Gordon Fraser and the East Anglia Tourist Boards. Contributions to several art magazines include: International Artist; Artist & Illustrators Magazine; and The Artist. Contributions to art books include: Houses and Buildings; The Encyclopaedia of Pastel Techniques; and the Encyclopaedia of Watercolour Techniques.
Prizes include:
Royal West of England Academy (Brandler Galleries Art Prize)
Pastel Society - Pastel Society of Canada Award (1996)
Buzzacott Award- Pastel Society 2008
John currently tutors several painting courses, mainly in East Anglia, throughout the year.
His work has been acquired by corporate and private collections in Great Britain, Europe and the U.S.A.
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