Richard Toft
I was born in Amsterdam, New York in 1944 and now live in the small coastal town of Accomac, VA. My academic background is in environmental studies with graduate work in environmental design and architecture. I was introduced to the Beaux-Arts approach to architectural drawing that combined precision drawing with watercolor washes. I became fascinated with the work of the 19th century British watercolorists. Over the years, my preparation and experience evolved into a career as a freelance fine art illustrator.
The transition to a career in fine art began in 1990. As illustration raced forward into a new digital era, my interests went back in time to the egg tempera painters of the early Renaissance. I came to love the traditional approach of very detailed drawings combined with precisely developed layers of luminous color. Combined with my life long love of the sea, the themes of my fine art work have become maritime in nature executed in the technique of traditional egg tempera
I have been fortunate to have my work included in private, institutional and corporate collections. In addition to receiving top awards in national juried shows, I was the recipient of an award of excellence in drawing from the American Institute of Architects and included in the International Maritime Exhibition at the museum in Mystic, Ct.
Assateague Light
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Journey
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Willis Wharf
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Night Light
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Nauset Beach
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Tribute
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