ABOUT THE ARTIST
Trees and rocks, water and sky, mountains and snow, these elements, combined with distinctive painting methods and an audacious style, have characterized the paintings of this well known artist.
David Langevin's dramatic renditions of the Canadian wilderness and his bold “tree portraits” have become almost as familiar as the subject they depict. His art is represented in galleries across the country and has inspired many nature lovers, artists, and of course, collectors. Moreover, his striking use of light and unique painting methods have creating a captivating vision of this country’s landscape that has even influenced the way many art lovers and collectors of his work view those same subjects; a hike in the forest or the mountains is never the same for those who have come to know Langevin’s imagery.
Langevin seems unrestrained by any limitations to his artistic expression. Whether the source of his inspiration is landscapes, “treescapes”, or the human form, they all carry the signature of his rare talent and vision.
David Langevin is a modern day Old Master - an impeccable craftsman, an innate talent. “When I looked at the paintings of the Old Masters I saw in their work something that I did not see in modern art. Nothing in my education or experience as a painter could help me understand how they achieved the effects that they did. I wanted that. I wanted to know I could achieve any effect that I could imagine. I wanted complete expressive freedom...”
After finishing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Ottawa, David spent several years perfecting his painting skills. He pored over old texts, treatises, and manuscripts stored in the backrooms of art restoration departments and libraries reserved for conservationists. David obtained a Masters in Art Education degree from McGill University, specializing in methods and materials for the painter.
Since 1992, he has been living in British Columbia where he finds an endless supply of inspiration for his art. David gives lectures, writes a regular technical column for painters, consults, and conducts workshops on painting materials and techniques. His paintings are sold in galleries across Canada.
ABOUT THE PAINTING TECHNIQUE
David’s painting style is somewhat unique. He uses an elaborate system of layers of transparent and translucent paint, called glazes and veils, as well as a variety of texture effects that create dramatic images of his subjects. Having studied the painting methods of his favourite historical painters like Da Vinci, Correggio, Titian, Caravaggio, Ruebens, and Rembrandt, to name a few, he has developed a system of painting that is part Renaissance, part Canadian. The transparent layers of paint draw the viewer into the painting and the textures create an enticing tactile quality. Many of the paintings are executed in acrylics that allow for more textured and collage effects, and a faster drying time. Still, Langevin continues to paint in oils which have a rich and more intense color quality. All of David’s paintings are created with permanent materials and techniques and will last for centuries under normal conditions.