Warren Esterhuyse
A Classical Fine Artist
Describe your style.
I started off ultra realistic but am gradually leaning more towards Impressionism but with realistic influence
Who or what has been your greatest influence on your style?
My Dad, Scats Esterhuyse. He is a true master and established as one South Africa’s top landscape artists. I have seen how his style has organically developed over the last 25 years and it is truly inspirational. I have been blessed with his same gift and talent and am excited to follow in his footsteps and carry on the family name as an artist
How did you get started in your career?
I could always draw and sketch and it’s what I did all the time growing up. My Dad always tried to convince me to paint but I had no self belief that I was capable. I went through a very difficult period in my life and was an all time low with no job and no motivation to do anything really. It was after much convincing my Dad finally got me to choose a reference to paint. It was a mother leopard and her cub sitting on this long lush green grass. It caught my eye immediately and as I have a deep love for animals and nature it made sense. I sketched the image out and then my father showed my the basic colours he used and how to mix them on a pallet with the brushes he used. He paints one eye of the mother leopard and then passed it over to me. Well it was to much surprise I continued and it was as if I had done this before, this gift deeply routed in me just waiting to come out. I finished that painting without any assistance and I was astonished with the final result. I sold that painting to the driving instructor who took me to do my driving test, which I failed but he put me through as it was minor mistakes and he wanted my painting. I then printed a few more wildlife pieces which all sold privately Abs then I did my first still life which I went show to a gallery in Hyde Park in South Africa and they took it immediately. That live sold in 2 days to a woman who had also collected a few of my Dads works. And that’s how my journey began.
What struggles or barriers did you face or are you facing to promote yourself and your work?
I moved to the UK in 2006 and started working so much of my time was taken up my job but continually pushes to network and meet people and push through which I managed to pick up quite a few commissions from doing portraits. But as the years went on I did a few pieces here and there but nearly enough. I finally sold a piece I did of the national portrait gallery in Trafalgar Square in London but again just couldn’t find the time to really paint and supply a gallery with enough works. I stopped for about 6 years and then now with the COVID Pandemic I found myself at home with no job and plenty of time so I picked up the brushes again and it’s been an absolute blessing and have kick started where I left off and my work has more of a maturity now. Issue facing during that time was everything being closed so no gallery’s open but now as London is starting to open up and get back to a degree of normalcy I have the task of looking for a gallery again. Other issue I guess I am having is getting enough views and followers on social media especially on Instagram. Not really my forte and I continue to post paint and push until the breakthrough comes.
What life lessons have you learned and how have they influenced your style?
Your talent will never leave you no matter how long you stop for or what obstacles might might come your way. always keep pushing and never give up and gift will make way for you. Now I am just focused on developing and really pushing myself out of my comfort zone and really experimenting with new techniques and applications.
Provide an example of your work that I can include in your interview.
A piece I have just completed. A beautiful landscape setting
back in the Western Cape oil on canvas 60x90 cm ‘African skies.’
FOLLOW THE ARTIST
https://www.instagram.com/Warren.esterhuyse
