Carl Melegari

Melegari's unique painting process is a consideration and exploration of paint and its various behaviours when mixed and applied in different ways. His practice also involves revisiting the same portrait time and again, in some instances years after his most recent adjustments.

"I begin by applying an oil turpentine tonal wash to the figure. I apply various impasto layers of oil paints (I mix an alkyd medium with the oil to enable a better drying process) at times using a brush, but predominately palette knives. I occasionally scrape back layers only to reapply in the same area liberally, vigorously attacking the canvas. This is applied with bold applications of paint fused with thinned paint using either or sometimes a mixture of linseed oil and turpentine. All this allows the paint to interact with my application. I will allow the drips to run in different directions. The drying process can take weeks and quite often I will rework into the painting by peeling away and reworking the layers. I'm basically exploring the physicality of the paint and how it reacts with the surface - applying the paint generously and allowing it to drip spontaneously too."

The layers Melegari builds up, and the artist's tendency to rework a piece multiple times causes comparisons to be drawn with the likes of Auerbach and Freud; however, Melegari's style stands entirely on its own as uniquely and distinctively his.

Melegari's prefers a muted palette, with splashes of red or purple hues to make his subjects pop. Despite the near brooding nature of Melegari's subjects, the painter's works are among the most popular acquisitions for living spaces and the workplace.