Indelible Artist

Patrick Procktor

Patrick Procktor was one of the most elegant and distinctive figures to emerge from the 1960s London art scene, celebrated for luminous watercolours, refined portraiture and an exceptional instinct for colour.

British, 1936–2003 Watercolour Portraiture Modern British
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Patrick Procktor artwork

Biography

Artist background

Patrick Procktor was born in Dublin in 1936 and raised in England. After studying at the Slade School of Fine Art under William Coldstream, he entered the London art world at remarkable speed: his first solo exhibition at the Redfern Gallery in 1963 sold out.

He became closely associated with the generation that reshaped British art in the 1960s, moving within a circle that included David Hockney, Keith Vaughan and Cecil Beaton. Yet Procktor developed a distinctly personal language of his own, particularly through transparent watercolour, elegant line and a refined sense of colour.

His subjects ranged from intimate portraits and figures to travel scenes, interiors and landscapes. Across these works, Procktor combined spontaneity with poise, often allowing large areas of untouched paper to become part of the composition.

At a glance
Born1936, Dublin
Died2003
StudiedSlade School of Fine Art
Known forWatercolour & portraiture
ElectedRoyal Academician, 1996

Available works

Current Indelible selection
Patrick Procktor - Untitled

Untitled

Watercolour on paper • 49 × 38 cm • £1,500
Patrick Procktor - Untitled

Untitled

Work on paper • £1,500
Patrick Procktor - Untitled

Untitled

Mixed media on paper • 53 × 68 cm • £1,500
Patrick Procktor - Untitled

Untitled

Mixed media on paper • 57 × 51 cm • £1,500
Patrick Procktor - Untitled

Untitled

Mixed media on paper • 86 × 71.5 cm • £1,500
Patrick Procktor - Untitled, 1972

Untitled, 1972

Mixed media on paper • 66.5 × 51.5 cm • £1,500

Highlights

Career & collector context
  • First solo exhibition at the Redfern Gallery in 1963 sold out, establishing Procktor rapidly within the London art scene.
  • Selected for the landmark 1964 New Generation exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery alongside artists including David Hockney, Bridget Riley and John Hoyland.
  • Known particularly for delicate, highly controlled watercolours with an acute sense of colour and space.
  • Worked across painting, drawing, printmaking and stage design.
  • Elected a Royal Academician in 1996.

Press & References

Museum & editorial context
National Portrait Gallery Institutional biography covering Procktor’s Slade training, 1963 Redfern Gallery success, London circle and election as a Royal Academician. The Guardian — Patrick Procktor Michael McNay’s obituary places Procktor within the 1960s London art world and the influential New Generation exhibition. Art UK Public-collection context for Patrick Procktor and works held within UK collections. National Portrait Gallery — Snowdon portrait Patrick Procktor photographed by Lord Snowdon in 1979, held in the National Portrait Gallery’s Primary Collection.

At Indelible

Modern British collection

Indelible currently holds a substantial group of Patrick Procktor works on paper, with multiple watercolours and mixed-media works available at £1,500.

The selection is particularly strong for collectors looking for the lightness, colour and immediacy that define Procktor’s work on paper. Contact the gallery for additional images, condition, framing and provenance details.

Explore Patrick Procktor at Indelible or contact the gallery for availability, condition reports and collecting advice.

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