Delphine Pope NAPA

I have been a professional artist for over 30 years. After many years of working with oils, it was just 6 years ago that I started to use acrylics for the entire process of creating an image. I was laying an acrylic ground for an oil painting and just realised that I was loving the spontaneity of what was happening. Literally from that moment I started embracing the use of acrylics, I found that it was allowing me to build layers quickly and experiment with more freedom. It was an entirely different experience, and yet it utterly supported my creative process.

I work into my images with chalks, pens, pencils, charcoal, inks, and anything that I can find to create form and texture.

I start with a base on mdf board, using PVA, tissue paper etc. The different drying times of the papers creates wrinkles and variations within the surface of the work. I then use these areas to define and develop the growing images.

Acrylics work amazingly for this. I can scrape into them, entirely paint over areas that aren’t working and they keep their vibrancy.

I have a degree in Fine Art (1993) and am MA in Illustration (2021). The MA had a profound effect on my creative style and how I develop an image. Acrylics, combined with this new knowledge, are what took me forward into producing a whole new body of work.