15 Questions to Simon Stevenson of A Brush With Africa
Simon Stevenson, together with his wife Kate, has travelled to Africa with Aardvark Safaris a number of times. Simon is a wildlife artist whose work is displayed on www.abrushwithafrica.com. We asked him some questions to find out more about the man behind the easel.
Please tell us a little of your background and association with Africa
Simon Stevenson’s childhood home out in the bush, near Moshi, Tanzania
My parents emigrated to Tanzania not long after the Second World War, settling in the foothills of Kilimanjaro near a small town called Moshi. I was born in 1957 and until I was seven, lived with my parents in a typical colonial house with a fenced seven acre garden surrounded by the bush and wild animals.
Simon Stevenson as a child in arms of nanny, Ayah
Following a promotion my father moved us to Arusha, Tanzania’s administrative capital and centre of tourism. It was from here that I truly fell in love with the wildlife of Africa, exploring the game reserves of Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and as far south as the Selous and Ruaha. After school in Tanzania, Nairobi and the UK, I was to eventually leave Tanzania in 1979 when I came to live in the UK.
What drew you to being a wildlife artist?
Artist Simon Stevenson (A Brush with Africa) sketching a hyena, chalk on charcoal
At the turn of the Millennium I decided to resign from my job and take a sabbatical. It was during this sabbatical that I happened to walk past a shop ‘bargain bin’ which had a £5 book on how to watercolour in 5 easy steps. I thought it might be quite interesting to see if I could paint so I bought the book.
Where did you learn about art and how to create a painting?
As well as this book I had previously done a bit of cartoon artwork called Rear View Mirror, which had been published in a number of provincial newspapers. So I knew the basics of drawing a cartoon but I had never actually painted in watercolour. Having only skimmed through the book (I’m dyslexic), I wet the paper as instructed which, when it started to dry, wrinkled. I didn’t realise I needed to ‘stretch’ the paper by firmly attaching it to the board and so had to use a number of heavy objects to keep the paper flat. One of which was a mug of tea which left a beautiful stain on the paper.
Can you tell us more about the mediums you use for your paintings of African wildlife?
‘Stand Off’ wildebeest and lioness, tea and ochre watercolour painting by Simon Stevenson
To me, tea and ochre as a medium creates the colour of Africa. Animals are always trying to blend into the background and I thought that perhaps if I painted using ochre I’d get close to the colour of the animals. Hence the introduction of tea and ochre which when mixed together creates a paste which paints like a watercolour but dries like a pastel. The other medium I use is chalk and charcoal on black pastel paper which enables me to create images using light and shade. These sketches have become extremely popular and are sold worldwide.
As an African wildlife artist, do you select a suitable subject while on safari, and how do you do so?
I keep an open mind on my subjects but tend to study the animals very closely whilst Kate (my wife) photographs them. The composition of a painting is extremely important as is the light and shade you can create. During return flights to the UK, I review all the photographs along with any notes that I might have taken. I may have only two or three photos that I feel will help me create a painting, but I keep most of them for future reference for the movement, muscle tone and shape etc. of an animal.
What is the process for producing a piece of art?
‘Lion Song’ chalk on charcoal by Simon Stevenson
Composition is key to the start of a sketch. I find having a title for the painting/sketch helps give it the character before I start. I begin by sketching an outline, then I might create a focal point for the image, i.e. cold breath, a bee or a feather for example. From that focal point I will create the rest of the image.
Do you draw or paint wildlife while on safari in Africa?
Mountain gorilla, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Rwanda, Governors Camps
I watch for hours and also photograph the wildlife. Maybe I should try sketching but I find it more relaxing just watching and absorbing the sights and sounds around me. I find if you spend too much time with your eye to the camera or head down sketching you can miss so much in your periphery vision.
How long does it take to complete a painting?
‘Fly By’, gorilla chalk and charcoal by Simon Stevenson
My tea and ochre paintings usually take longer than my chalk and charcoal sketches. On average they take from a week to several weeks in the case of tea and ochre. However, I have been known to complete a chalk and charcoal sketch within two days!
How do you capture the movement or expressions shown in your paintings?
‘White Lightening’, cheetah chalk and charcoal by Simon Stevenson
By an intense study of the subject, together with references to photographs and videos. For example, with a sketch of a mobile cheetah, the mechanics of how it runs are fundamental to the look of the finished sketch. I am extremely fortunate that, from childhood, I have been able to study wild animals in their natural habitat.
Which is your favourite African safari destination, and why?
Leopards near Tena Tena, South Luangwa, Zambia, Robin Pope Safaris
At the moment I would say the South Luangwa in Zambia where I’ve had an incredible variety of animal experiences including many lion and leopard sightings at Lion Camp and Tena Tena, and excellent buffalo interaction at Kakuli. I’ve also had some wonderful experiences in both Botswana and also Tanzania in the last 10 years.
What’s your favourite African animal?
‘Lugga Bull’, watercolour by Simon Stevenson
It has to be the elephant; gentle, intelligent and such a joy to watch in the field and a joy to then paint/sketch. Second favourite are leopard; elusive and stunningly beautiful, but very difficult to sketch.
Can you tell us which safari camps in Africa make it especially easy to create great paintings?
Zebra and giraffe, Chada Katavi, Tanzania, Nomad Tanzania
I have had some outstanding sightings with the adventurous Reed brothers who run Letaka Mobile Safaris in Botswana. There is Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in Rwanda where I tracked the mountain gorillas and where I have many of my images displayed. We have been back to Lion Camp in Zambia a number of times for its many lion and leopard sightings, and finally Chada Katavi in Tanzania for its remoteness and unspoilt wildlife. We are very much looking forward to going to Mana Pools in Zimbabwe next year where we will spend five days with Stretch Ferreira at Goliath Safaris.
Are there any charities in Africa, whether wildlife focused or not, that you support through sales of your art?
Lion cubs, Lion Aid Facebook
Yes, we support the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, REMIT (Rotarians Eliminating Malaria in Tanzania), and LionAid. Through the donations and subsequent auctions of my art we have raised considerable sums for these charities. We hope that through our connection with Aardvark Safaris we will also become involved with the Douglas-Hamilton’s charity ‘Save The Elephants’.
At which safari camps or lodges in Africa can guests see your wildlife art and paintings?
Simon Stevenson’s art displayed in Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Rwanda
In Tanzania we have art in Saadani Safari Lodge, Swala Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Camp, Serengeti Migration Camp and soon Ruaha River Lodge. We also have art in the beautiful Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in Rwanda. We are always looking for lodges to display our art and all the images displayed in these lodges can be purchased online at www.abrushwithafrica.com
Where in Africa would you like to go on safari next?
Mana Pools, Ruckomechi Camp, Zimbabwe, Wilderness Safaris, Dana Allen
Coastal sunset, Ibo Island Lodge, Quirimbas islands, Mozambique
As already mentioned, Zimbabwe. The itinerary that Francis has arranged for us looks absolutely stunning and includes a week in Mozambique at Ibo Island.
At which UK galleries can art fans see your paintings?
An exhibition of a number of my original pieces of art can be viewed and purchased at The Chester Art Fair on 18th – 20th November 2016.
My Studio/Gallery Shropshire, where you can view and also purchase my art is open to the visiting public by appointment only and can be arranged by emailing us on kate@abrushwithafrica.com
I’m also on Twitter @a_brush_africa
Where can I experience an artist in residence on safari?
A room with a view, Gibb’s Farm, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Nomad Tanzania
Gibbs Farm Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania has an artist in residence much of the time, usually someone from East Africa, who is invited to live at the lodge for a few months to create wildlife art during their stay.
Any questions?
If you’ve got this far and not found an answer to a question you have that we should have included, please ask in the comments section below, or pop us an email. We’ll be sure to reply and may amend the article to include our answer.
What next?
We would be delighted to help you plan a holiday, or answer any questions if you’re at an earlier stage. Our team of experts have travelled widely throughout Africa. They can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. If you would like to talk to someone who has been there and done it, please just send us an email or give us a call.
really nice work i admire you cause i also have the passion for art
These paintings are amazing Simon, because not only are they so anatomically correct, but they are so full of joy and authenticity. They come from the heart, from the soul. There is no contrivance in them and they absolutely make my soul sing. Real soul (again) food. There is so much fake art around these days, in all aspects of our culture, and I think we crave genuine works of art. You certainly provide that. Thank you so much. And thank you for seeing that animals are our equals in every way.