Charles Blackman b. 12 August 1928

Also known as Charles Raymond Blackman
  • Artist (Painter),
  • Artist (Printmaker),
  • Artist (Draughtsman)
The Antipodean artist Charles Blackman was best known for his paintings of schoolgirls and the whimsy of Alice in Wonderland. Largely, but not entirely, self-taught he became one of Australia's most popular artists.
Tags: Antipodeans, schoolgirls
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Charles Blackman was born in the Sydney harborside suburb of Harbord, the third child of Charles Cervic Blackman, a mechanical engineer, and his wife Marguerite Brown, who always preferred fantasy to reality. His father abandoned the family when the boy was four, leading his mother to work long hours at a waitress at Circular Quay – and when she could not cope the children were placed in Dalwood Homes. In primary school he was (briefly)taught by Rah Fizelle.
He left school at 13, after an extended bout mumps which confined him to bed. His mother gave him paints to keep him occupied. In 1942 he was employed by the Sydney Sun, first as a copy boy and later as an art cadet. In about 1947 he enrolled in painting classes under Hayward Veal at the Meldrum School of Art, but did not find this to his taste. However he did enjoy the drawing classes at SORA (Studio of Realist Art)and the Sketch Club in Haymarket.

Writers:
Staff Writer
Date written:
1996
Last updated:
2018

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Date modified Aug. 20, 2018, 1:37 p.m. Aug. 20, 2018, 1:35 p.m.
Alternative names
  • Charles Raymond Blackman
Trainings
  • Drawing & graphic design, c.1942 - 1946 East Sydney Technical College, Sydney, NSW
  • painting, c.1947 Meldrum School of Painting, Sydney, Australia
  • Art, c.1946 - 1947 Studio of Realist Art, Sydney, NSW
  • drawing, c.1947 The Sketch Club, Haymarket, Sydney, NSW
  • Drawing & graphic design, c.1942 - 1946 East Sydney Technical College, Sydney, NSW
  • painting, c.1947 Meldrum School of Painting, Sydney, Australia