Michael Embden studied illustration graphic design at Brighton College of Art in the 1960's and went on to become a successful freelance designer. Upon graduating, his work appeared in many publishing and advertising campains in Britain, the U.S.A. and Europe, including over one hundred book covers and posters for billboards. During the nineties Michael Embden decided to give up illustration in order to concentrate on his passion, watercolour landscape painting. Over the coming years he developed a style which allowed him to explore a strong personal sense of mood and atmosphere through the play of light. He was especially drawn to the quality of light that occurs early in the morning or last thing in the evening - low sun and long shadows that can reveal forms in a poetic, dramatic or dreamlike way. Artist Michael worked in pure watercolour using no white or body colour, building up many layers of transparent washes to create luminosity and strong tonal contrast.
Michael was based in Brighton for most of his life and made many paintings of the South Downs, his local landscape that continued to inspire him. In later years he was increasingly drawn to the wild places of Scotland, Wales and Ireland, whose landscapes provided him with infinite richness, variety and a more rugged kind of beauty. You will find limited edition prints of all these subjects here at the Fine Art Company.
In February 2010 Michael and his wife moved into the Sussex countryside, something they had both always wanted to do and enjoyed the rural idyll for the last two and a half years of Michael's life. He continued to paint and work and enjoy their beautiful garden. Michael sadly died on 21st August 2012 after a long and very courageous battle with cancer. He is greatly missed by all his family and all who knew him.
