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Aldo Balding (born 1960) is an English figurative painter.

Life and work
Aldo Balding was born in Southsea on the south coast of England. He initially studied civil engineering and architecture before deciding to go to art school around the age of 22. He then studied Illustration and Graphic Design at The University of Southampton faculty of Art and Design.

Beginning his career as a freelance illustrator in London, his work appeared on the front covers of numerous magazines including the Sunday Times Culture Magazine, TV Times and Punch. He moved to the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France in 2004 to become a full-time artist where he now paints and runs art workshops.

Techniques
Painting predominantly in oils he is known for his narrative style and his sense of light using the alla prima technique of painting wet in wet.

He considers himself a tonalist painter where tonal values are the basis of his work, and colour augments the effect of light. His work often has a dominant value and colour that influences the mood. Inspired by Sargent, Zorn, Sorolla and Munnings.

He paints directly from the model, yet photographs everyday scenes to stimulate his ideas. He paints the light that falls on his subject and not the subject itself.

He has painted notable portrait commissions including Ernie Els, Peter Alliss, Tiger Woods, Lord Lieutenant of county Down, Lady Laura Paul and Andrea Motion. Frieder Burda Museum in Baden Baden Germany have his work for their collection.

Solo Exhibitions
2020, 2019 Galerie Anagama Versailles

2020, 2015, 2013, 2011: Christopher Moller Art, Cape Town, South Africa

2008, 2006: Catto Gallery, London 2006: Alexander Gallery, Bristol

Group Exhibitions
2021: Barcelona Museum of Modern Art MEAM Exhibition

2021: Autumn Exhibition 2021, Thompson's Gallery, London

2020: Autumn Exhibition 2020, Thompson's Gallery, London

2019: Exhibiting in London, Thompson's Gallery, London

2018: IAACC Pablo Serrano de Zaragoza Museum Exhibition

2018: Barcelona Museum of Modern Art MEAM Exhibition

2017: Thompsons Gallery London three man show

2016: ROI exhibition

2021, 2016, 2014, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002: Royal Society of Portrait Painters

2009: ING Discerning Eye

2000: BP Portrait Awards

Awards
2013: Winner, ‘Best of Show’, Bold Brush Competition

2006, 2004: Arc Salon finalist

2003: NSE Exhibition first prize

2002: Artist International first prize