Tom Flint
From small oil-on-wood portraits to imposing oil-on-canvas vistas and atmospheric cityscapes; from richly precise ink sketches of the human form to stark geometric etchings of cities and their architecture; Tom’s work captivates instantly building to a deep, lasting appreciation of the image, its effect, composition and exactitude.
Tom divides his time teaching at St Paul’s School London, creating new works and looking after his young family.
Tom Flint's work invites viewers into atmospheric, often dystopian, urban worlds. His primary focus is the cityscape, predominantly London, rendered with a stark, dramatic, and sometimes cheerless quality reminiscent of Doré or Phiz's depictions of Victorian London.
A striking feature of Flint's paintings, typically oils on board or canvas, is the compositional structure. Detailed cityscapes, often featuring recognisable buildings rendered with impressive architectural perspective and detail despite his lack of formal architectural training, frequently occupy only a small lower band of the piece. Above this looms a vast, dominant sky – often cloudy and atmospheric, capturing phenomenal effects of light, tone and depth worthy of comparison to Dutch Masters or Turner. Subtle hints of colour, like pinks, purples, or yellows, may line the clouds where sun attempts to break through. While buildings are meticulously detailed, street-level elements like vehicles can possess an almost childlike simplicity. His etchings explore similar themes, often with a darker perspective, showcasing his technical skill in printmaking.
Flint masterfully uses light and perspective to create a sense of immense scale and spatial depth, even within confined compositions. Occasionally, perspectival guidelines remain visible, lending an almost 'work-in-progress' feel that adds layers to the image.
Thematically, Flint's work explores the juxtaposition between the imposing, man-made city and the overwhelming, organic power of the sky and the natural environment. There is an homage to the city, yet it is consistently shown as subordinate to, almost swallowed by, the vastness of the sky, placing urban existence within the context of the wider world and planet. This contrast creates a unique fusion, imbued with a sense of nature's scale encompassing the urban sprawl.
Trained in graphic design, illustration and fine art printmaking (Leeds Metropolitan University and the Slade School), Tom Flint brings a unique perspective to urban landscape and cityscape painting. Our gallery focuses primarily on his singular oil paintings.