Nic McCandlish is a dedicated and experienced artist with a diverse background in both creating and teaching art across Melbourne and internationally. With over two decades of experience living and working in Singapore and Japan, Nic has absorbed a wide range of cultural influences that deeply inform their artistic practice.
Specialising in realistic and figurative art, Nic’s work explores the human form and portraiture with a keen eye for detail and emotional depth. His artistic training includes a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Monash University and a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Melbourne, where he completed a double teaching method focused on Visual Arts, particularly painting and drawing.
Nic’s approach to art making is firmly rooted in traditional techniques. He has a strong interest in classical methods such as Flemish painting coupled with various underpainting techniques, which he integrates into his contemporary practice to achieve rich textures, subtle tonalities, and lifelike representations. His commissions often involve portraiture, where Nic seeks to capture the essence and individuality of their subjects with both technical skill and sensitivity.
Throughout his career, Nic has enjoyed teaching art in diverse settings, nurturing creativity and technical skills in students. Now recently returned to Australia, Nic continues to develop his practice, combining his international experiences and deep respect for traditional methods to create compelling, timeless works.