Affordable 20th Century British Artists to collect

The internet is a great source of artistic information when it comes to gathering ideas on 20th Century British artists, but algorithms and AI don’t completely understand the connection between the desire to collect and affordability. A search for 20th Century British Artists will throw up all the national treasures (Bacon, Hockney, Sickert, Bell, Grant & John etc.) but without a price filter option for the modest collector.

When searching for affordable artwork, it's easy to stumble upon less desirable paintings featuring donkeys wearing hats. However, fear not! We have curated 13 intriguing 20th Century British artists, with their unique styles, for you to explore. While affordability can be subjective, we have set a maximum budget of £1,000 per picture. Some artists may be unfamiliar, but they are undoubtedly worthy of your consideration.

 1. Mary Remington – 1910 – 2003

Perhaps she is not the most current artist with today’s contemporary art collectors loving bright abstracts, but what we like about Mary’s work is that she can really paint! Both detail and textures with very small strokes or marks bring her painting to life. They are paintings to live with. If we have any young female artists at the start of their career reading this, try taking a few moments to research Mary’s work.

 2. Karel Lek - 1929 -2020

Eventually making North Wales his home and often his subject matter in the people and places he painted. Whilst his figurative work can be a little unusual at times (note his depiction of eyes!) his oil on board landscape of North Wales cottages or farmsteads are earthy and interesting. Not everything he did would get our seal of approval, but with a little time and effort you could turn up one of his better ‘farmyard’ oils at a good price.

3. Josef Herman – 1911 – 2002

When you know Herman’s work you can spot it from across the room. Many of his pictures focus on the honesty and integrity of the ordinary worker whether they are labourer, farm hand or a fisherman. Perhaps his sometimes-sombre choice of colour may not sit with today’s bright households, but you can feel a connection with his figurative characters; heavy figures trudging home from work or a tired farmer leading a mule & cart.

His painted body language provides you with a narrative to his work that often lacks lots of background, details which are not required. This is why they are so sought after, the message clear and humble, the figure and sense of motion tells you everything you need to know.

If you are thinking of buying 20th Century British artists, then a 1960’s Herman lithograph is a good place to start a collection.

4. Donald H. Floyd - 1895 – 1962

His spring and winter scenes seem to evoke the best of the British countryside, with strong spring lime greens used in his gentle observations and wonderful pinks and greys in his country barn winter snow scenes.

Oil on canvas was his favoured approach, having been taught by John Barlow in Plymouth School of Art 1908 – 1912. He was once told he could not paint sheep very well. He practised hard and often dabbed sheep in during his en plein air painting sessions even if no sheep were present, just to prove a point – That is the kind of attitude we like in a 20th Century British artist, and we love his fluffball sheep.

5. Tessa Newcomb 1955 -

Most noted for her oil on board or canvas, scenes of the Suffolk and surrounding countryside, waterways, and birdlife scenes. There is tranquil softness to her work, rather like blended pastel works, which should make the observer look closer at the super painting ability. Newcomb’s work is, in our view, very good value and you might sneak a painting in around the £1,000 mark but if you can afford a bit more you will be rewarded daily with the best work of a good British artist. She is on our personal ‘wish list’ for artists to acquire for our private collection.

6. William Black – 20th Century

Cornish based, his work emerged and grows in popularity. He was a sculptor and a painter, working in a semi-abstract way often in watercolours or mixed media although oils do exist.

He was around at the time of St Ives golden period and is said to have mingled with Hepworth, Heron & Hilton et al. so his style is influenced by a multitude of different artistic friends.

What we like about his work is that it is not so abstract that it confuses your friends! The subjects of still life jugs, boats and figures in good colour combinations sit well in a modern apartment or 18th century farmhouse.

His art is interesting, balanced and there is a growing following of Black’s works, with many now appreciating that his paintings are “cool” again.

7. Owen Bowen – 1873 - 1967

There are similarities to Donald Floyd with impressionist styled pastoral images of the countryside, landscapes and the traditional “bringing the sheep home” paintings.

Later in life he continued to paint, and his still life subjects including many flowers can be delightful. He exhibited at the R.A. from 1892 – 1945 and was a well-respected 20th Century British artist with a long career of painting.

A good Owen Bowen painting will cost you £3,000 - £5,000 but it is possible to find a favourable scene and start your collection at about £1,000.

8. William Gear 1915 - 1997

He really studied well and learnt in his formative years with time spent under Fernand Leger in 1937 – 1938, Paris after the war from 1947 to 1950 and active in the CoBrA movement, exhibiting with them in Copenhagen & Amsterdam in 1949, this was the same year he had a joint exhibition with Jackson Pollock at the Betty Parsons Gallery New York.

He is a highly regarded 20th century British artist and what you will find is an avant-garde artist fascinated by abstract compositions. He uses plenty of bright colour and structure often with sharp angles contrasted by soft marks.

Working in almost any media, Gear’s works can go for many thousands for a large early work to the hundreds for smaller and later works on paper.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of “In the Manner Of” paintings out there, so you have been warned, take care.

9. John Robert Brunsdon 1933 – 2014

He was at Cheltenham School of Art under Stanley Dent 1949 – 1953 and after his national service, at the RCA from 1955 – 1958 under Julian Trevelyan.

This leads nicely as to why John is best known for his print making and etching skills. Brunsdon uses colour in a most interesting way and whilst influenced by his time with Trevelyan he has his own style and colour ways.

His colours are chosen to compliment or contrast, even if they were not the natural choice for the subject. Where we see green grass John may decide it should be a blue hue, sometimes leading to a slightly spiritual feel to the finished picture.

His prints have a sense of Britishness to them and are, in our view, under-priced and ideal for the collector of 20th century British artists with a mid-mod house. Pop one of Brunsdon’s works just above your Wasilly B3 chair, it will go perfectly.

10. Katie Wilkins

It would seem that Katie’s oil paintings reflect her ability to recall the smallest detail and the character of the animals that she paints. Her Hare and Sheep paintings are very fine, capturing every single whisker or curl, all with an honest expression from the animal, not an artist interpretation.

We do not know Katie or have any commercial connection with her, but if I was a British farming family I would be collecting her art, and her food paintings “Bread & Cheese” will improve any AGA dwelling homestead at the end of a wet autumn day during the sheep round up.

Support a British artist, buy a Wilkins.

11. George Devlin – 1937 – 2014

Prices can fluctuate a lot depending on subject, size and painting quality.

When Devlin paints to his full ability the paintings are captivating landscapes full of detail and warmth.

If you search around and negotiate well, a good colourful Devlin should be possible near the £1,000 mark perhaps just over. Expect anything from pastel, acrylic or a good watercolour right through to his smaller studies of the human form in Conte.

A good artist to follow over time and pick up artworks that appeal, a case of ‘slow and steady wins the race’ when collecting this artist.

12. Philip Naviasky 1894 - 1983

He painted many portraits of women and children which often have a simple honesty of his early to mid-century style. These oil on boards are not really to my personal taste.

I prefer his landscapes and boat or waterside scenes. His still life flowers can be interesting and well painted. Choosing carefully, you can find a quality Naviasky and it is worth taking time to wait for the right work to come along.

Although they do not come up often, his graphite or charcoal works are great value for money, proving you do not have to spend lots on good art when collecting 20th century British artists.

If I was to choose a favourite from his mediums, I think it would be his 1930’s watercolours. They are few and far between, but it looks like he was painting for himself, which is always a good thing for an artist. These tend to be waterside boats, beaches and people. They are simple, relaxed and natural, with good colour & light, perhaps a little sketch like, but all the better for it.

Condition is important so only buy good examples; restoration might cost more than the painting is worth.

13. Mary Nicol Neill Armour 1902 - 2000

She exhibited her work widely at the RA, RSA, RSW, SSA and GI and is best known for her strong still life watercolours or oils, often of flowers, sometimes with interiors.

Mary’s garden scenes and small landscapes are usually vibrant oil on board or canvas and are harder to obtain as there are less of them, but lovely if you are lucky enough to find one. Mary painted up to 1988 when her eyesight failed.

For good value try looking for one of her floral pastel works, framed and in good condition, just delightful.

Celebrate collecting 20th Century British artists that are sometimes overlooked, it keeps your collecting interesting and fun.

• So that is our quick rundown of our 13, 20th Century British artists to seek out, follow and perhaps collect on a modest budget.

• Remember to buy paintings in good order as restoration is expensive. If they are framed that will save you money too.

• Go to trusted dealers & outlets, ask questions and compare & contrast so you know you are getting the real deal.

Good luck and Have Fun!