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A brush with artistic genius, by an artistic genius with a brush!

Street sweeper who creates stunning iPad artworks in his spare time

By Bethan Sexton

ARTISTIC inspiration can strike at any time – even, it seems, while cleaning the streets.

Allan Richardson creates stunning digital artworks based on scenes he comes across while out on his cleaning routes in Glasgow.

His hobby of painting was forced online after Covid lockdown restrictions meant he could no longer use his studio.

But using an iPad, stylus and Rebelle 5 software, the council worker has managed to create six digital works so far and has even earned himself a few commissions.

The 57-year-old, of Glasgow, said: ‘The restrictions meant I couldn’t go into my studio and I felt more comfortable doing art at home, but I didn’t want to use the strong chemicals there.’

He said that he likes being able to ‘just sit down’ with the software, which ‘is fairly easy to use nowadays’.

Mr Richardson, who has worked for the council for 38 years, explained he is always on the hunt for inspiration.

He said: ‘If I’m at a work and I spot something and think, ‘That would make a nice wee drawing’, I make a note of it or take a picture, and sometimes I go back when the light is better in summer. I like doing buildings and I like trees, so I do a lot in the West End, but I’d like to go out a bit further.’

Mr Richardson has been painting since his school days and is inspired by the likes of David

Hockney who also uses an iPad to create digital works which have sold for more than £50,000.

He added: ‘Some people say because it’s digital, it’s not real art or it’s not as good – but you’re still using your skill, it’s still an artform. You have to make all the same decisions about colour, shading and style. The only thing is you’re just left with a print, whereas if you use watercolour or oils you get a physical piece.’

Each piece takes him around a week to complete and begins with either a sketch or photo of the scene, which he uses for reference. He then shares his creations online using his Instagram account @urbansketcher55.

Mr Richardson added: ‘I still do a lot of classical stuff too and I like a lot of the older art like the Impressionists and such.’

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