People, portraits & figures

 Whilst Bernard was known for his architecture and abstract paintings he did a number of portraits and life drawings throughout his career. Most of these were for friends or "practice pieces" and were not sold or exhibited. This is a selection of those that survive.

Bernard Kay, artist, self portrait

Self Portraits

 
These are two early self portraits done by Bernard, one dated 1940 so he would have been 13 years old. The other several years later.

Life studies by artist Bernard Kay

Nude Studies

 
Some early life studies, from around 1940

Shadow and Stump painting by Crispin Heesom

Unknown Male

 
Oil on board, probably from the 70's

Friends

Bernard lived in London during the 60's and 70's mixing with many of the celebrities of the day, such as David Hockney, Sylvette and other 60's artists. These are some portraits of friends.

Jose

Jose was Bernards accountant and became a close friend.

Sandy

Sandy is Jose's first wife.

Crispin

Bernards friend and fellow artist, Crispin Heesom.  Picture provided courtesy of the Graham Cooley collection.  Painted early 80's.

David

One of Bernards friends from Oundle, painted in the 80's

 

 

Tony

Sketched in the south of France , summer 1955.

Sylvette and Toby

Pen and ink sketch. 'Two figures in bed-Sylvette and Toby'. marked Vallauris 29.6.'55  Sylvette (Lydia Corbett) was a muse of Picasso whom Bernard met in 1954 in the South of France.

Bernard with Sylvette and Toby

photograph taken in Vallauris, 1955