DAVE WOOLASS
Is a Yorkshire-based fine artist known for his detailed and atmospheric paintings, inspired by the character and beauty of the British countryside, animals, buildings and people.
Born in the East Yorkshire port town of Goole, Dave grew up in a large family as one of five siblings. He now lives in the historic market town of Howden with his wife, their close-knit family, and Watson the horse—often a quiet source of inspiration.
Dave’s journey into art has been both practical and creative. He began his career in retail management before establishing his own successful art gallery and picture framing business. This hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding not only of creating art, but of how it is displayed, valued, and enjoyed in the home.
He also trained as an art tutor, teaching at Doncaster College and running private classes and workshops for community groups, art societies, and galleries across the UK. Alongside teaching, Dave has continued to develop his own work, completing a wide range of commissions including portraits, murals, pet studies, magazine illustrations, and book covers.
His work has also gained national recognition, with two appearances on the television series A Brush with Fame, where he painted portraits of celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson and wine expert Jilly Goolden.
In 2018, Dave was commissioned by Search Press to write a book on watercolour painting, which remains in print and continues to sell internationally.
Today, his paintings are held in private collections around the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the Middle East.
Working across a range of traditional media—including oil, watercolour, pastel, graphite, acrylic, and silverpoint—Dave creates artwork that captures light, atmosphere, and fine detail. His subjects range from landscapes and rural life to portraits, florals, and still life, all unified by a strong sense of realism and craftsmanship.
Each piece reflects a lifelong dedication to drawing, painting, and observing the world with care—qualities that continue to define his work today.
Dave Woolass – Art Philosophy
My artwork is rooted in the Traditional Realist style, though I also explore contemporary influences, blending them with realist highlights. I enjoy working in a wide range of mediums and have taught these techniques to many students over the years.
The artists who have inspired me most are Rembrandt and Caravaggio. Caravaggio’s mastery of light and shadow, his earthy tonalities, and Rembrandt’s remarkable use of texture and luminosity—creating emotional depth that feels almost tangible—continue to influence my work today. I first discovered them through the guidance of my A-level art teacher, whose advice to study the Old Masters profoundly shaped my artistic journey.
My preferred mediums are oil paint, graphite, and pastel, as well as watercolour. My process is simple yet disciplined: establishing composition, building form, defining light and shadow, and finally layering fine details.
As a Traditional Realist, I strive for accuracy, authenticity, and truth in my art. I love the challenge of realism because it demands both technical mastery and restraint—achieving precision without losing vitality. Clients commission me to capture loved ones, pets, or meaningful places not as an impression, but as they truly are. My goal is always to preserve their essence faithfully, creating works that resonate every day with honesty and emotional depth.
Browse the latest original paintings and available work here,
with each piece ready to be enjoyed in your home.
The Fine Art Trade Guild of Great Britain elected Dave to the Court of the Guild in 2001. He was elected as the Master’s Warden in 2003 and was ultimately elected ‘Master of the Fine Art Trade Guild’ in 2004.
