Robert MacMillian

Robert MacMillan studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, gaining a BA (Hons) Fine Art in 1997.  He then returned to complete an MDes (2005-2006).  Over recent years, Robert MacMillan has undeniably developed a strong reputation as one of Scotland’s foremost figurative painters. Through consistently reconciling traditional working methods with an attitude of  painterly experimentation, Robert’s work is charged with an emotional intensity.  Demonstrating meticulous technique, he applies layer upon layer of paint to create depth and luminosity.  Much admired by many other artists and collectors for his technical mastery, his work is greatly influenced by the old masters. The results, at first glance, are simple and uncluttered, but upon closer inspection the detail is captivating. Indeed, his work has been likened to a well crafted piece of poetry, where the omission of even a single word would alter the impact irrevocably.

His paintings, although beautifully structured, are still viewed by the artist as open experiments; colour and form changing quickly as the work develops. The constant scraping, scratching of the paint produces a finished painting with the visible and tactile history of its creation on the surface. The figurative works often focus on a single form. This closely observed figure is often placed in a void of an incredible rich, deep, dark negative space which has the  remarkable effect of illuminating the central form as well as isolating it. 

Haunting landscapes, which extend and enhance his range of imagery, have been added to his collection and serve to confirm his ability to capture atmosphere and mood as subtly and as tellingly as his figurative work. His influences include the little-known Tonalists and, in particular, American painter George Inness. MacMillan incorporates his methods of memorising a landscape to capture its essence, taking elements of a scene and rearranging them to portray the elusive, emotional, ethereal quality of what he is seeing.