A Northern
Landscape Artist
Ian Millen was born in Whickham and continues to live and work in the North East of England,
a region whose landscapes have quietly and profoundly influenced both his life and his art.
After a successful career as a designer in marketing, he has chosen to follow a long-standing passion for fine art, dedicating himself fully to painting as a full-time landscape artist.
He works primarily in oils on panel, valuing the medium for its subtlety, depth and refined finish. His approach is photorealistic, shaped by close observation and a patient attention to light, atmosphere and detail. Painting on panels rather than canvas, supports his layered oil technique, allowing clarity and realism to emerge while maintaining a painterly sensitivity.
His paintings focus on the coast and countryside of North East England and Scotland—places marked by dramatic shorelines, shifting skies, and a quiet rural presence. These landscapes hold personal significance, reflecting a deep sense of connection and belonging. Through his work, Ian seeks to convey the mood and character of these environments, capturing moments of stillness and natural beauty with care and attention.
No Prints, just Originals
Ian's oil paintings often begin with a loose, freehand pencil sketch, used to establish the composition in relation to the panel and provide a clear sense of direction. Once the sketch is complete, an imprimatura is applied in a single tone of Burnt Sienna, gently setting out the initial shadows and highlights. When the overall tonal balance feels right, he moves into the block-in stage, laying down the key shapes and colours in a simplified form to establish the first impression of the image.
From there, the painting is slowly developed through successive layers, with increasing attention given to detail, texture, and subtle colour relationships until the forms are fully realised. Once the work has cured sufficiently, a final coat of gloss Gamvar varnish is applied, enriching the colours, restoring depth to the darker areas, and providing an even, protective finish.