In the Spotlight: Charlie Gosling

I saw Charlie Gosling's work when he exhibited at the first Incubator show. Incubator is a gallery founded and curated by Angelica Jopling to show the work of new young artists. I bought a painting. Charlie Gosling is an artist who I immediately loved. His work does remind me a bit of Lucian's and it is completely original. His work ethic is similar to Lucian's too, he works every minute of the day and sees people through the lens of painting.

- Bella Freud

Bella Freud has collaborated with the National Portrait Gallery to celebrate the 'Everything is a Portrait' collection, which coincides with the Lucian Freud 'Drawing into Painting' exhibition.
The National Portrait Gallery held a portrait drawing workshop with Bella Freud for young artists within the Gallery space to showcase the collection. Held by Charlie Gosling, artists were invited to take part in a portraiture session where artists sketched Bella and one another, in the tranquil space of the National Portrait Gallery.
The Lucian Freud exhibition will run 12th February - 4th May. The product capsule is available to shop in the Gallery and on https://npgshop.org.uk/

Photography by David Parry

Do you have any works in progress or upcoming we should know about?

I have a solo exhibition coming up in May at Incubator Gallery. It's a collection of paintings of people I am close with, people I am building relationships with. It's people in my circle, in my world.

Is beauty an element of your work?

Yes, what I choose to paint comes from a beauty the subject holds. Any painting that is put out into the world comes from something. In my case, it's what I see as beautiful. It's very immediate, when I see someone that I think 'I need to paint'. It becomes an obsession of that being.

What comes first, concept or material?

A bit of both. A combination of an idea and a lot of feeling.

Are there any specific environments that shape your ideas?

Working inside the city and working outside the city which I do, is different. Environments change your mood which naturally effects the work.

What is it about the group classes you lead that you enjoy the most?

It's a learning thing. I don't consider myself a teacher, as I'm not the best draftsman in the class but to me it's not about technical skills, it's about being the one to stand up and say 'let's just try this out and see how it goes.'. Being there in the National Portrait Gallery gave me a sense of pride, because that's all it really takes, to be open to experiment.

Do the clothes you wear present yourself, or feel artistic and considered?

I never consider what I wear to paint, but my friends would probably disagree.

Do you have any processes or rituals?

My only ritual is to work alone. That's the only ritual that stays consistent.

Are there any influences outside of the arts that you turn to?

Honestly, football. It completely switches my brain off. As an artist, my brain is constantly thinking about the painting I'm working on at the time and the finer details, but when I', watching football or it comes on the radio that's all that matters to me. It also helps that this is the year Arsenal are going to win the league.

Which is your favourite Lucian Freud artwork from the collection?

The Man at Night (Self-Portrait) 1947-48 (below).

All artwork courtesy of Charlie Gosling.

Discover Charlie's work here:

https://www.charliegosling.art/
https://www.instagram.com/charlie_gosling_