Craig Allan Lee ARSMA - 2025
Craig has exhibited alongside the Royal institute of Oil Painters (ROI) at the prestigious Mall Galleries from 2017-2024. In 2024 Craig was elected an associate member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA). Craig is also a regular Exhibitor for "The Artist" exhibition at Patchings and was awarded the Pro Arte award in 2019 the British Contemporary award 2020 and the Batsford Award 2021. Craig was also awarded The SAA professional Artist Of The Year 2019.
Throughout Craig’s childhood he would face the world pencil in his hand, with a passion for sketching. He would often wander around the house restless until he found something of interest. In his own words “I believe that at this point in my life HE MAN! was a particular favourite character of mine. I would ask my father for help because it always amazed me how well he could replicate my favourite characters on paper. This without doubt helped to spur me on to improve my own drawing abilities.”
Craig doesn't like to say that he's a self taught artist because he has had many friends, family members and school teachers over the years that have helped with encouragement and advice. Craig hasn't had any “formal training” but is always inspired by many artists, John Singer Sargent, Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Degas, to name but a few of the old greats.
Craig favours oils but occasionally uses watercolours. His reason for favouring oil paint is their colour richness and versatility. Also a big plus in their favour is that they stay wet far longer than other mediums which means they are easy to manipulate.
Mostly Craig will paint Alla Prima, so he'll try to start and finish a piece in the same sitting with the exception of portraiture, where it is usually necessary for two or three sessions. His preference is to have a loose, spontaneous approach. Craig paints with both brushes and palette knife, but of late prefers a combination of the two.