Artist Spotlight: Mayad Allos on Saunders Waterford

 

As part of Green & Stone’s 'Works on Paper' event, urban sketcher and watercolourist Mayad Allos shares his love for St Saunders Waterford paper, traditional European architecture, and the continual inspiration he finds in and around Chelsea in London.

Tell us about your practice and your journey to get to where you are now. 

My main role for many years was designing new homes in Surrey, which were predominantly done digitally and 3d modelling was a very important part of our client presentation. The models took significant time to produce and subsequently amend when there were client changes to make. It was difficult to present quick ideas and very frustrating that I couldn’t present a very simple sketch alternative.

I always enjoyed doodling whilst on a phone call or waiting for a meeting and thought it would be really good fun to produce hand-drawn presentations. I started with simple sketches and progressed to full presentations. Clients loved them which really encouraged me to improve, in fact, I even presented some of the sketches framed for clients.

Initially, I only used pen and ink, then realised that a limited splash of colour gave them more life which is how I ended up with my current core style of black, white and green.

What is the importance of drawing to you? 

I am now semi-retired from my design role, but thankfully the addiction to drawing continues. It is an amazing pastime and I can spend hours and hours with a pen or watercolour brush. Whilst sketching and painting offers consistent positive challenges to improve, it is always very therapeutic, I simply lose all sense of time when drawing and painting.

What is your go-to drawing paper to use and why? 

I actually have a couple of favourites which are:

Saunders Waterford Spiral pad 19x28cm CP (NOT) 300gsm - I love this paper because it is spiral-bound which makes it easier to hold and flip through. The texture and colour of this paper is perfect for classical architectural details as it gives the drawing a huge amount of depth.

Saunders Waterford block 31x41cm CP (NOT) High White 300gsm - I mainly use this paper for larger pieces and commissions where I need a brighter background as I tend to leave more white space on these drawings. The texture is more subtle which gives a softer feel to the piece.

Drawing intricate mouldings and details seems to be a significant aspect of your practice. How do you approach capturing these details in your drawings, and what challenges or rewards do you find in this process?

I am fascinated by different shapes, objects and the shadows they project on surrounding surfaces. Classical architectural mouldings and details offer an endless supply of amazing subject material.  I love working out the best way to present them and in which colour scheme. Making them realistic but also artistic with a lot of depth can be a challenge but great fun at the same time. I quite often have a page filled with the same detail that I have drawn over and over again to get just the right colour combination.  

You’ve mentioned a love for traditional European architecture. What is it about this architectural style that captivates you?

For several reasons really.  Firstly, its timeless beauty and elegance really showcase the rich cultural heritage of Europe. The intricate details, ornate decorations and symmetrical designs really are a testament to the craftsmanship and attention to detail of the architects and builders of the time. It also has this amazing sense of grandeur that can transport you to a different era with its towering cathedrals, majestic palaces and charming townhouses – when you see these buildings it feels like you’re stepping back in time.

What specific elements or scenes in Chelsea inspire you the most, and how does the neighbourhood serve as a constant source of material for your drawings?

What inspires me most about Chelsea is its charming and picturesque streets and the proximity to the River Thames which adds an element of tranquillity and natural beauty to the place.  The rows of colourful, Georgian style houses and beautifully manicured gardens always prove to be a treasure trove of ideas for me. There are so many elegant windows, decorative ironworks and intricate facades that provide endless inspiration for my drawings.  I love that the buildings are interlaced with gardens and squares full of all types of foliage, trees and flowers too.  Creativity thrives here and I feel very fortunate to live and work in such an artistic place.

Find out more about artist Mayad Allos:

www.instagram.com/mayadallosart/

mayadallosart.co.uk/

For more information on the Green & Stone 'Works on Paper' exhibition, including the catalogue visit:

https://www.thegalleryatgreenandstone.com/winter-exhibition-2024

To learn more about the Saunders Waterford range visit our website.

Article originated by The Gallery at Green & Stone, as part of their 'Works on Paper' exhibition. Our thanks to them for allowing us to replicate the piece.