Biography of David H. Barclay

 “I try to capture the interplay of light and shadows in a scene or around an object.  My recent series of  musical instrument paintings capture the three dimensional nature of each piece through the use of realistic wood grain representation and extensive shadowing.  I am also drawn to more contemporary close-up views that, while only showing a fraction of the whole piece, let the viewer know instantly what is portrayed.” Barclay describes his work as contemporary realism.

“Barclay’s paintings shine with authentic detail. Painting in layer upon layer of thin translucent glazes, he creates an astonishing depth of color,” says Christopher Morgan, owner of Christopher Morgan Galleries, Palm Desert, California. christophermorgan70@gmail.com

“The contemporary realism of David Barclay’s acrylic-on-board paintings invite the viewer to explore the boundaries of reality,” says Gallery on the Green in Canton, CT. www.galleryongreen.org

To create the realistic wood grain effect used in the instrument series, Barclay applied multiple layers of specially mixed pigment and glaze.  In some pieces, nearly 20 layers were used to achieve the visual effect of graining, depth and shadows.