Adam Ralston ROI
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Adam Ralston’s work is all about mood, light, and the ever-changing character of a place. Whether it’s a windswept coastline, a quiet street at dusk, or the bustle of a city in the rain, his paintings pull you in, making you feel like you’re there. With loose, expressive brushstrokes and a masterful use of colour, Ralston creates depth and movement, turning everyday scenes into something almost cinematic.
His style blends impressionism with realism, resulting in pieces that feel both timeless and alive. There’s an honesty to his work. He doesn’t just paint what a place looks like, but what it feels like. Perfect for collectors and art lovers alike, Ralston’s paintings bring warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of escapism to any space. Browse our collection and experience his unique take on light and landscape.
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WorksBiography
Adam was born in Lytham St. Annes in 1970. He lives in Blackpool and is interested in pleinair and still life painting. He prefers to paint from direct observation. Pleinair works are sometimes completed in one go, but often need more sessions. Still life works can be set up or found, and are a much slower process. Adam’s paintings can sometimes be seen as quirky, both in their execution and subject matter.
Adam has recently been elected a full member of the ‘Royal Institute of Oil Painters’. He’s also a member of the ‘Manchester Academy Of Fine Arts’, the outdoor painting group the ‘Northern Boys’, and the ‘British Plein Air Painters’. He exhibits regularly at the Mall Galleries.
Achievements:
- Elected full member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) 2022
- ROI 2022 - Won the “Artist Magazine Award’
- Elected Associate member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (AROI) 2021
- New English Art Club (NEAC) 2021/’20/’19/'18/‘17/‘16
- Royal Institute Of Oil Painters (ROI) - 2022/‘21/‘20/’19/’18/‘17/‘16
- ROI 2021 - Won the “Frank Herring Easel Award’
- ROI 2020 - Won the ‘Menena Joy Schwabe Award’
- Pintar Rapido (London) 2017 — 1st Place / 2016 — 3rd Place
- Royal Society Of British Artists (RBA) 2017
- Manchester Academy Of Fine Arts (MAFA-membership) 2017
- Member of the Northernboys & British Pleinair Painters
- ROI Paintlive 2017 — 1st Place
- ROI 2016 - Won the 'Frank Herring Easel Award'
Exhibitions-
Winter Exhibition 2022
10 Dec 2022 - 22 Feb 2023Our Winter Exhibition 2022 brings a fresh selection of artwork from Gallery artists and a few new faces including Linda Schwab, Louisa-Longstaff Scales, Robert Mead, Craig Jefferson and Laura Pedley.Read more
This will be our final exhibition of 2022, a chance to view some fantastic art in a welcoming space and help the Contemporary Six Team toast an exciting year. We would love you to join us. -
Northern Connections
29 Oct - 20 Nov 2022MICHAEL ASHCROFT - ANNE ASPINALL - ARTHUR BERRY HELEN CLAPCOTT - FLORIAN FOERSTER - JEAN HOBSON GEOFFREY KEY - NORMAN LONG - L.S LOWRY - IAN MOOD JEN ORPIN - ROB POINTON - ADAM RALSTON - STEVEN SMITH LIAM SPENCER - PETER STANAWAY -JO STANNESS - COLIN TAYLOR ALAN JAMES...Read more -
Adam Ralston Solo Show
12 - 26 Mar 2022We are proud to present 'Manchester on the Move' a solo exhibition by Gallery artist Adam Ralston AROI MAFA. The launch will be on Saturday 12th March 2022, where you can meet the artist who currently lives in Blackpool- as well as a chance to enjoy over 20 brand new...Read more -
10+1
One 10 year anniversary.. 1 year late! 4 - 23 Dec 2021Last year our ten-year anniversary exhibition didn’t quite go to plan and due to lockdown we didn’t get the celebration show we wanted. Therefore, this year we have decided to re-celebrate our anniversary with a group show of small works by Gallery artists, guest artists and a few surprises! The...Read more
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The Northern Boys
An exhibition celebrating plein air painting 6 - 21 Apr 2019Have you looked out from a Manchester tram to see a figure before an easel, stooped under an umbrella, painting furiously in the driving rain? Chances are, you’ve seen one of The Northern Boys — the distinguished outdoor painting group — nine of the North’s finest plein air painters, dedicated...Read more -
Adam Ralston and Alan Thompson
An online showcase of brand new work 25 Jan - 8 Feb 2019Welcome to the online showcase for a large selection of brand new plein air paintings from Gallery-artists Adam Ralston and Alan Thompson. This is an online-only Gallery, and to celebrate the New Year, from 25 January – 8 February, we are offering free delivery on all paintings in the showcase.Read more
FAQs
Adam Ralston is an artist born in Lytham St Annes and Studied at Blackpool Art College. Adam still lives in Blackpool and paints in oils. A member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and who's main focus is observational paintings from life, primarily working en plein air, still life and studio works. Adam has won a number of prizes notably the Menena Joy Schwabe Award and the Frank Herring Easel Award. He is a regular exhibitor at the New England Art Club, a member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts and the the British Plein Air Painters.
Adam Ralston primarily works with oil paints, a medium that allows him to create rich textures and depth in his work. His brushwork is expressive and often layered, giving his paintings a dynamic quality. He also makes use of palette knives to add texture and highlight key elements within a scene. The choice of oils complements his focus on light and atmosphere, allowing for subtle gradations of tone and a natural blending of colours. His work captures both the softness of misty mornings and the vibrancy of sunlit streets, making his pieces highly evocative.
Adam Ralston's work is available through Contemporary Six, a renowned independent art gallery in city centre Manchester and Hale, Cheshire. Our Galleries showcase a carefully curated selection of his original oil paintings, offering collectors a chance to acquire unique pieces. Contemporary Six is known for representing some of the finest contemporary artists, and Ralston’s work is a standout feature of their collection. The gallery provides expert advice for buyers, whether they are first-time collectors or seasoned art enthusiasts.
Ralston’s work stands out for its masterful use of light and movement. His ability to capture atmosphere is unparalleled, whether in a quiet coastal retreat or a bustling urban scene. His paintings have a cinematic quality, drawing viewers into the scene and making them feel as though they are part of the moment. His technique combines expressive brushstrokes with a refined colour palette, achieving a balance between impressionism and realism. The texture and depth in his oil paintings create a sense of energy and life, making his work instantly recognisable.
Ralston’s work is influenced by both classical and contemporary painters, as well as by the natural and built environments around him. He draws inspiration from the changing moods of the British landscape, particularly the interplay of light and weather. His cityscapes capture the character of urban life, while his coastal scenes reflect a deep appreciation for nature. Impressionist and tonal painters have also influenced his approach, particularly in his use of colour and brushwork. However, his work remains distinctively his own, shaped by personal experience and observation. His paintings offer a fresh yet timeless perspective on familiar scenes.
Investing in an Adam Ralston painting means owning a piece of contemporary British art that beautifully captures atmosphere and emotion. His work is highly sought after due to its unique blend of impressionism and realism, making it both aesthetically pleasing and valuable. As his reputation continues to grow, his paintings are becoming increasingly collectable. Whether you’re drawn to his evocative cityscapes or serene landscapes, his art has a timeless quality that enhances any space. Purchasing from Contemporary Six ensures authenticity and offers expert guidance, making the process enjoyable and rewarding.