London artist Anthony Eyton, a member of the Royal Academy since 1976, remains active at 103 years old. He is preparing works for the 258th Summer Exhibition, the oldest open submission exhibition in the world. He states that painting keeps him in touch with life and is what makes him happiest. Age has given him freedom, but he still respects deadlines.
The technique behind creative longevity 🎨
Eyton works with oil on canvas, prioritizing loose brushstrokes and a luminous palette. His process is based on direct observation of the environment, capturing light and movement without relying on photographic references. Although age reduces his mobility, he adapts his studio with adjustable easels and digital enlargements of sketches. This methodology allows him to maintain a steady pace, although he acknowledges that timely delivery remains a logistical challenge.
Deadlines at 103: stress doesn't retire ⏰
Eyton admits that, despite his creative freedom, deadlines generate the same anxiety for him as for an intern. The difference is that he no longer has to ask permission to take a nap between layers of paint. And if the work doesn't arrive on time, he can always blame arthritis, a resource no art director would dare to dispute.